Bone broth is a highly nutritious liquid that can be used as a stock or consumed as a warming drink. It’s rich in collagen, a protein that’s found in many of the tissues of the human body where it performs a structural role.
Both bone broth and collagen powder can be used as a daily health supplement, and they are made in a very similar way. There is however one main difference – bone broth contains collagen along with other beneficial nutrients and collagen powder contains pure collagen. They can be taken separately or together, depending on your taste and reasons for taking them.
Turkey, fish, pigs, lambs, bison, and buffalo bones can also be used, although these are less common. It’s relatively simple to make bone broth at home and requires a very large saucepan and plenty of time. Therefore, some people choose to buy ready-made versions.
Either way, bone broth is highly nutritious and provides protein, collagen, gelatine, hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and minerals. It can be used as a stock in soups and to make gravy or drunk as a healthy drink.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It’s most well-known as the protein that helps to keep the skin lifted, plump and wrinkle-free. But collagen is also found in the cartilage of the joints where it plays an important role in cushioning the joints to prevent the bones from rubbing against one another.
The blood vessels, intestines, bones, and muscles all also contain collagen which acts as a biological glue that provides support and structure.
From around the age of 25, we begin to slowly lose our natural collagen reserves and as we progress through our 40s and 50s, the process becomes more rapid. This results in the visible signs of ageing including skin sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles as well as pain, stiffness, and mobility problems in the joints.
Taking collagen supplements or consuming collagen-rich foods such as bone broth is a simple way of supplementing the levels of collagen in the body.
Both bone broth and collagen powder are made by boiling the bones of animals, mainly cows and chickens. However, collagen powder can also be made from boiling skins, fins and eggshells whilst bone broth also includes boiling the connective tissues of animals such as the ligaments and tendons.
Bone broth is then left as a whole product that contains collagen and other nutrients and is either consumed as a liquid or dehydrated and made into a powder.
To make collagen powder, the collagen is extracted from the liquid of boiled bones and skins and is then dehydrated and turned into pure collagen powder.
Collagen is a relatively large molecule that the human body finds difficult to digest and absorb. Therefore, most collagen powders contain collagen that’s been through a process called hydrolysation. This breaks the collagen down into smaller molecules called hydrolysed collagen, or collagen peptides, that are more bioavailable and readily absorbed into the bloodstream.
Bone broth, therefore, contains collagen along with other beneficial nutrients and collagen powder contains pure collagen, usually in the form of collagen peptides.
In terms of benefits, it’s mainly down to personal preference and goals. Bone broth is great as a daily health drink that provides essential nutrients as well as collagen that supports the health of the skin, gut, immune system, and joints. Collagen powder contains a variety of different types of collagens in a purer form.
This can lead to an improvement in the appearance of the skin by reducing the visible signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles. It can also help to relieve the pain and discomfort caused by stiff joints.
Bone broth contains glucosamine which also helps to support the health of the joints since glucosamine is rich in sulphur which is crucial for the repair and maintenance of cartilage that is often damaged in stiff, painful joints.
As well as collagen, bone broth collagen contains hyaluronic acid that also supports the health and youthfulness of the skin by retaining water and increasing hydration levels.
Consuming bone broth with collagen is one of the best ways to supplement your diet with collagen.
Bone broth powder is made by simmering animal bones on low heat for 12 to 24 hours and contains collagen. Collagen powder is also made by the same process, but the collagen is extracted and separated from the rest of the nutrients to produce a pure powder.
Therefore, bone broth contains collagen along with other nutrients, collagen powder contains pure collagen.
Yes, bone broth is very rich in collagen.
One 9g serving of bone broth protein powder contains 8g of protein, the majority of which is in the form of collagen.
Since bone broth collagen contains a rich nutritional profile, it’s considered a healthy way of supplementing the diet with protein, collagen, and other nutrients. Opt for an organic version, made from grass-fed cows or organically reared chickens for maximum health benefits
Bone broth collagen can be consumed as a health drink daily. If you prefer not to drink it every day, aim for having it at least once a week.
Yes, whether homemade or ready-made, bone broth can be used in the same way as stock as a base for soups and to make gravy. Powdered bone broth will need to be added to water according to the instructions before being used as a stock.
Collagen is found in many of the tissues of the human body and performs many important roles. Since our levels of collagen decline naturally as we age, supplementing the diet with collagen-rich bone broth is simple and beneficial.
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Hannah de Gruchy
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Health and wellness author and biologist specialised in sustainability, nutrition and eco-living.