Recipe courtesy of Psychologies Magazine (September 2015).
Health trends – Bone broth ?
The Hype
Despite having been a staple in cooking pots for centuries, bone broth has recently gained new momentum. It’s revival can be partly attributed to the growing popularity of the Paleo diet and its superfood status is believed to be due to its easily digestible protein composition. The protein comes from collagen found in the bones and connective tissue, which transforms into a nutrient-dense gelatin as it cooks. A cupful is said to ensure a hit of calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium, potassium and minerals that are known to help strengthen hair and nails, improve skin texture, heal your digestive system and prevent insomnia, fatigue and anxiety.
The Facts
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- Foodies argue that bone broth is simply stock that’s had a fashionable makeover, but bone broth takes much longer to cook than stock; chicken carcasses simmer between six and 12 hours, and beef bones for up to 24 hours to ensure they fully dissolve into the water, providing bioavailable minerals to the body.
- Cassandra Barns, from NutriCentre, believes that bone broth an live up to the hype. ‘The minerals it contains can directly support healthy hair, skin and nails. In addition to glycine and proline, the gelatin in bone broth is a source of substances like glucasamine, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid. These are known to support the joints, ligaments and tendons’.
- Lily Simpson from The Detox Kitchen Bible
, points out that bone broth is often treated as a meal replacement, yet it’s not a sufficient meal in itself, as it’s so low in calories. ‘I would treat bone like miso soup and serve as a nourshing low-calorie snack during the day to boost your nutrient intake.’
The Verdict
Bone broth is a great source of bio-available nutrients. Rob Hobson from The Detox Kitchen Bible
