Broths and stocks have been part of almost every culture's culinary tradition for centuries; from Vietnamese pho to Italian broth to American chicken noodle soup, a flavorful, meaty broth is at the base of some of the world/s most comforting dishes. But in the last couple of years, nutritionists and health food junkies have begun promoting broth not for its delicious warming properties, but for its numerous health benefits. According to many, broth made primarily with animal bones, and simmered for hours and hours (known as "bone broth") is a magic super food that can heal digestive issues, revive tired muscles, and make brittle hair and nails a thing of the past.Chances are you've heard about bone broth and its many benefits. Recipes and even cookbooks have been popping up to celebrate what looks like a new, and at the same time, very old miracle tonic. With sports stars like Kobe Bryant singing its praises, it's easy to get caught up in all the bone broth hype. But is there any truth behind all of these reported bone broth benefits?First of all, you may be wondering; what is bone broth? Explained very basically, bone broth is a type of stock made from bones which have been boiled for a few hours, usually with other flavorings such as salt and pepper, and onions or carrots. Technically, bone broth can be made from any bones, but it's generally thought that using the bones from healthy, organically-reared animals is better.While bone broth might seem like the trendiest super food trend out there, it's actually far from anything new.While we don't believe in panaceas or "cure-alls," we do believe that beyond being delightful to the senses, food is functional. It serves a purpose, and high-protein bone broth especially serves our systems.Bone broth has been a staple of human nutrition in almost every culture for thousands of years-and remains so in many Asian and Latino cultures. Doctors of traditional Chinese medicine use bone broths to strengthen kidneys, support the digestive system, and build new red and white blood cells.In eighteenth and nineteenth century Britain, a beverage that was essentially bone broth, called "beet tea," was used to heal hospital patients, and keep troops healthy and hearty during times of war. It is still the preferred warm beverage at British soccer stadiums, and is one of the only products to ever be endorsed by a Pope.However, since the discovery of monosodium glutamate (MSG) during World War II, an artificial flavor enhancer that creates the savory taste of umami, American homes and food companies have traded nutrient-rich bones in the marking of broths, stocks, and soups for this quick, cheap flavor fix-essentially removing all nutritive value from these dietary staples. Fortunately, informed consumers are once again looking to natural whole foods, instead of synthetic supplements, to be the cornerstone of their health and wellness routines.Did You Know?The gelatin found in bone broth is a hydrophilic colloid that attracts and holds liquids, including digestive juices, thereby supporting proper digestion.Bone broth reduces joint pain and inflammation courtesy of chondroitin sulfates, glucosamine, and other compounds extracted from the boiled down cartilage.Amino acids such as glycine, proline, and arginine in bone broth all have anti-inflammatory effects.Bone broth contains high amounts of calcium, magnisium, and other nutrients that play an important role in healthy bone formation.Bone broth can be made from any type of bones you like chicken, beef, pork, or even fish but seek bones from organically raised, pastured, or grass-fed animals.
About the Author: Beverly Hill is a sociologist. She is the CEO of C.E.F Associates and formerly served as head of department of sociology in Premier Natural Resources Inc. A graduate of Nelson High School also graduated from the University of Toronto with a B.A in economics and finance and holds an M.S from Cambridge University in public relations and PhD in sociology. She has written many articles on human equality, animal rights, environmental issues, personal development and peace keeping in different newspapers. She has also appeared in many magazines and is frequently interviewed for articles on family, race, socioeconomic status, and how to survive in your environment. She has also worked on the importance of health of relationship between parents and children. Her book 'The Middle Child' focuses on the importance of the attention given to the children and what to expect from them. This book helps parents understand their children. In addition to these works she is also the author of 'Surviving Alone ' which is about her own childhood growing up; she writes about her family struggles living on a low income budget and growing her own food to survive. C.E.F Associates formed in 1999 in Idaho, USA she worked both nationally and internationally. This is a consulting company which has clients all over the world. Ms. Hill the CEO of the company is the main reason of the huge client base because of her servings in foreign countries.