We know that improving our gut health is one powerful way to build the base for a healthy baby in terms of immunity and even brain and emotional development – click here for much more. We also know there are many routes to doing this. In this article we consider ‘bone broth’ something that is increasingly being sold as a wonder product for our guts. Is there any basis in this? We take a look at the science and see whether or not this is something that you should consider:

If you’re anything like me, you have been bombarded with all the benefits of this elixir, particularly over the last couple of years. We all know the ‘grandma’s chicken soup’ association, but it seems there has been a kick up in health claims associated with Bone Broth, particularly when it comes to improving the all sacred gut health (click here to understand why that really does matter)

Question is: is there anything really behind the Bone Broth wonder claims?

Answer: its actually not particularly simple.

But here is what you should know:

I first really started to take it seriously when I came across it from the work of Dr Natasha Natasha Campbell-McBride – a very well respected doctor focused on neurology and nutrition. She is a big proponent of the link between our digestive health, neurological and behaviour issues and she founded the very successful GAPS diet (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) looking at how diet could be used to treat neurological disorders.

She argues that:

‘As more than 90% of everything toxic floating in our blood (and getting into the brain) comes from the gut, healing it will drop the level of toxicity in the body dramatically’.

Obviously there is a huge amount of research being done currently on the gut-brain axis (see link here) and it seems to be growing in prominence. However, when it comes to clinical research it is also early days relatively speaking.

One of the biggest claims around Bone Broth is its apparently wonderous qualities for ‘healing our guts’.

This is where it gets a touch more complicated:

Dr Campbell Mc-Bride also talks about this – however – she talks about using meat stock vs bone broth particularly at the start of improving your gut health.

Yeah… I know, I didnt realise there was a difference either….but apparently there is and this is important.

Quick and dirty differences: meat stock is essentially the raw meat, in water with certain veggies, brought to the boil and then simmered for 2-3 hours. Bone broth is made more traditionally with bones and is often cooked for as long as 24hrs. Dr Campbell-McBride argues that the meat stock is more gentle (so is probably the best bet when it comes to conception, pregnancy and a baby).

Ok, so, what does the science say?

Actually – in this case there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of evidence. Now, that’s not to say there aren’t benefits, it just appears that there hasn’t been a huge amount of real clinical research done. So, from a strictly scientific standpoint it is difficult to say. Although one study done did show some benefits from an anti inflammatory stand point and we know that too much inflammation in the body is doing no one any favours (see more on why inflammation is bad here).

However, when it comes Bone Broth specifically, it is worth just being aware of a study published which raised concern around Lead being found in bones (which is where excess lead in a body would accumulate) and therefore suggesting that having vast quantities of this may not be the fantastic idea we all perhaps thought….

Hmmm….

Now, this study has been disputed by some and the increased levels shown to be present are still below recommended guidelines. However, it did understandably raise concern as the last thing we want is to have more heavy metals in our system (click here for a reminder as to why).

That being said, it is not clear cut and against this there is clinical research which suggests that elements of meat or bone broth do have a benefit to the gut:

So what could the benefits be?

Well, there are certainly some potential beneficial elements present around this type of stock/meat. Contained are some very helpful amino acids.

• Collagen

• Proline

• Glycine

• Glutamine

• Gelatin

Why should you care about these?

These amino acids help with the production of glutathione which is one of the body’s best lines of defence (see more here). Further, Glutamine specifically is something where considerable research has been done, particularly around gut permeability. Clinical research has in fact suggested a benefit when it comes to improving the gut’s lining (and therefore barrier) concluding that:

‘clinical and experimental studies demonstrated its importance as a dietary supplement in maintaining gastrointestinal mucosal barrier function….Hence Glutamine is an essential nutrient for gut mucosal epithelial cell growth, differentiation, mucosal integrity and barrier function.’

Translation: it is key when it comes to making sure your gut lining is in tip top shape and preventing any nasties getting through.

Its a relatively dense study but for the nerds out there here it is:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4369670/

Conclusion:

Well – there isn’t really a proper conclusion here from a hard-science perspective, however there are enough reasons to suggest that this can have a beneficial impact. The only negative that we have seen is in regards to the lead content if you’re having a lot of Bone Broth, so in light of that it is perhaps worth sticking to the Dr Natasha route and going with Meat Stock – particularly when it comes to our purposes: conception, pregnancy and for your baby. I make a batch once a week for myself and for my son and if I (the worlds worst cook can do it) then you definitely can. Hard to mess up cutting up some veg and putting it in to a pan of water for a few hours…if nothing else, the stock  it’s super useful for cooking veggies, grains and even fish in so why not give it a try and see how you feel.

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This article is for informational purposes only. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The information on this website has been developed following years of personal research and from referenced and sourced medical research. Before making any changes we strongly recommend you consult a healthcare professional before you begin.

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