With the days getting shorter and the nights getting cooler, we start reaching for meals that provide more warmth, nourishment and comfort.
Bone broth has been a staple meal in cultures worldwide for centuries. Not only does it provide food for the soul but it has an amazing ability to provide good health for the gut. In recent years medical research has shown that good gut health is directly linked improved overall health and better immunity. It contains an abundance of minerals and amino acids such as collagen, proline, glycine, gelatine and glutamine.
With such a nutrient dense profile no wonder the list of benefits is endless. Here are a number of ways bone broth aids in healing and promotes a good gastrointestinal health.
Promotes good gut health: Probably the most outstanding of all its qualities is its ability to heal and seal the gut. The presence of glutamine, glycine and gelatine in bone broth makes it an essential component to any gut healing diet. Gelatine is beneficial for strengthening and maintaining the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract, assists in fighting food sensitivities such as gluten and dairy, makes probiotics and decreases intestinal inflammation. Glutamine also assists with maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier and gut mucosa, while glycine assists in reducing inflammation and helps protect against gastric ulcers.
Aids digestion: Bone broth is gentle on the stomach and easily digested, which is helpful in stomach upsets and assists in nutrient absorption. It contains glycine, an amino acid that is essential for various metabolic, muscular and cognitive functions. It assists in the breakdown and transport of glycogen and fat to tissues and organs to be used for energy, in this process it supports strong immune and digestive functioning. Glycine is a major component of collagen, and stimulates the release of bile acid which is essential for digestion. Bile acid plays a fundamental role in the absorption and digestion of fats and fat soluble vitamins in the small intestine. It assists to remove waste products and maintain normal levels of cholesterol in the blood.
Boosts the immune system: Chicken soup is famous as a remedy for upper respiratory infections by preventing the migration of neutrophils vents the spread to a ‘cold’. It can also help improve the duration and severity of a respiratory infection, cold or flu. Gelatine assists in reducing inflammation in intestinal cells and protects the integrity of the intestinal wall from invading microbes by maintaining the mucosal layer. The collagen found in bone both plays an important role in the development and regulation of the colon and gastrointestinal tract and is a major component of skin, muscles, bone, cartilage, ligaments and tendons. Research shows that depleted serum collagen can be associate with poor gut health and the presence of bowel disease.
With all of these amazing healing qualities, it’s no wonder that bone broth is one of the most important things you can consume to restore gut health and support a healthy immune system. So for your next meal reach for some bone broth as a base to your favourite soup, sauté your vegetables in or simply drink as is to receive an abundance of nutrients that assist healing the gut and soothing the soul.
Broth Bliss Bone Broth is available from your local clinic without a prescription. Simply ask for ‘bone broth’ when you next come into Clinic.
Follow Diana Krisanski on Instagram @dianaknutrition.
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