Bone broth is a savoury liquid made by simmering meat or fish bones in water for several hours. Herbs, spices, salt, and pepper are often added to enhance the flavour. The result is a delicious, nutrient-rich drink that can be enjoyed on its own or used as a base for soups, stews, and sauces.
While bone broth has recently become fashionable, it's far from new. Our ancestors understood its nutritional value well, and many of us may remember being given broth as children when we were unwell. Today, if you don't have time to simmer bones for hours, ready-made broth is readily available in most supermarkets.
Does Bone Broth Have Health Benefits?
The answer depends on who you ask. Many books have been written on the subject, with some making extraordinary claims about broth's health properties. However, others point out that there isn't enough scientific research on bone broth to definitively support—or refute—these claims.
There's a South American saying: "Good broth will resurrect the dead." At MM Ingredients, we're not nutrition experts or medical professionals, so we cannot verify this claim or offer advice on the health-giving properties of broth.
What we do know is that when good broth cools, it congeals due to the presence of gelatine. The therapeutic use of gelatine and collagen dates back to ancient Chinese medicine.
The Role of Collagen
One of the key ingredients in bone broth is gelatine in the form of collagen.
The collagen we sell— Beef, Chicken and Marine varieties—is hydrolysed and comes in powdered form. If drinking broth isn't appealing to you, you can add collagen powder to your drinks and other foods to achieve similar results. Collagen is almost entirely protein, making it an excellent addition to a high-protein diet.
Important note: Taking collagen should not be seen as a substitute for maintaining a varied and healthy diet and getting regular exercise.
