Are all bone broths created equal? Know what matters.

Now it’s extremely likely you have heard of bone broth before. And it’s also likely that you have heard all about its benefits and why you should be including it in the diet! But if you haven’t here are the top three things you need to know.

1/. Bone broth is an excellent everyday health tonic. It contains glutamine which is largely responsible for promoting  the integrity of the gut lining. Due to its ability to help “heal and seal” the gut – bone broth is both a great preventative to getting sick and equally a great remedy in times of illness.

2/. Bone broth is great for digestion. Ultimately this lands squarely on the shoulders of gelatin and the role it plays. If you weren’t aware – bones contain large amounts of collagen, that when simmered for long enough breaks down into gelatin. The nature of gelatin is that it is hydrophilic – meaning it attracts water (or in this case, digestive juices) to the digestive tract. Combine this with the fact that the amino acids found within gelatin act to stimulate acid production in the stomach  - it’s little wonder why it’s a great digestive aid.  

3/. It has positive effects throughout the entire body. Bone broth is  full of bioavailable minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorous – all which help to build and maintain strong bones and teeth.  The proline and glucosamine found in bone broth help to ensure healthy skin, ligaments, bones, vein walls and tendons. Additionally, the glycine in bone broth is known for its calming effect and ability to promote sleep. 

So, it’s no secret that  – we are MAKERS of broth (and damn good ones if you ask us). And the reasons for that are simple.  

• It is considerably cheaper to make your own – like WAAAAYYYYY cheaper.
• You control the input. And yes that refers to the types of ingredients you put in but it also allows you to control the QUALITY of those ingredients, which in this case is imperative. 

That being said there are times we do PURCHASE bone broth. Like:

• when we ‘re away on holidays (a time where we do try and continue some healthy habits in amongst the freedom and bliss).
• when you have run out of your personal stores and need it like right NOW (e.g. when your kids are sick, or you are recovering from gastro).

So, if this is you too, then read on to better understand the pros and cons of what it is that you are buying.  

Supermarket Bone Broth/Stock: $5.50 – $8.50/500ml.

It seems the big industry players have cottoned onto the fact that broth is all the rage. As such the supermarkets have lots of so called ‘broth’ lining the shelves. Even well-known cooks are getting in with their own brand. Whilst the packaging says all the right things, ultimately the concerns sit around the quality of the bones that are being used. Labelling classifications are very murky territory, particularly when it comes to chicken. Terms such as free range, RSPCA approved and no added hormones don’t really give a clear picture of what you are getting. The very essence of bone broth comes from simmering the bones in order to extract everything from them. So it only makes sense – you want the best. Bones actually store all sorts of nasties – be it pesticides, chemicals or toxic metals -so it is imperative that the bones come from healthy organic pasture raised animals, in order to maximise the nutrients and minimise the toxins. This level of quality is not found in supermarket bone broth.

In addition, a long shelf life indicates the presence of preservatives/additives (which can come disguised under a myriad of names). Other undesirable additions such as glucose (sugar) and MSG are often found in these products, and the broth is generally in some type of plastic – which then introduces additional toxins.

Liquid Bone Broth – Health Food Shop.  $11/400 ml.

This type of broth does not have the cheap price point of the above, it is found in the refrigerated section, is visibly ‘gelatinous’, and has a much shorter expiry – all which leads us to assume it is a better product in terms of its freshness and the preservation of nutrients. Its’ ready to consume nature is a positive, however once again it all comes down to knowing the quality of the bone source. There is a wide variance on the term ‘free range’ and ‘grass fed’. If you can find an organic grass fed bone source and are prepared to pay the $$$, this is a good quick option to help get you out of trouble. Just keep an eye on the sodium levels, ensuring they aren’t too high  - especially if you are giving to little ones.

Powdered Bone Broth – Health Food Shop.  $43 (15 serves).

What you get with this type of broth ultimately comes down to the brand. Some brands process their broth the right way - using the right heat and not using additives, but really you need to do your research on this one. The pros for this type is that it is easily transportable, can be made in an instant, and is reasonably palatable when seeking just a cup of broth. The cons are that there is a potential loss of nutrients due to the processing, the taste is relatively bland when compared to the one you make at home, there is the likely potential for additives and preservatives and the cost is a little on the high side, when you consider how many serves there are. Whilst you can’t be certain of the quality of life led by the animals – purchasing an organic product will ensure there are minimal toxins. It's a reasonable option to have as back up.

Bone Broth Concentrate/Glue. $35 (39 serves).

This type of broth is again brand dependant. Our very favourite brand is Gevity Rx. They use 100% grass fed bones, wholesome, and minimal ingredients. The nutrients are preserved, with all the amino acids (and their levels) listed on the ingredient panel. The concentrate must be combined with water and whilst you are free to drink it as such, we still don’t think it tastes like the home-made version (nothing ever does right), so prefer to add it to meals as a replacement for stock. These types of broth must be refrigerated once opened, and used within the month – so you really need to ensure you use it regularly as opposed to a one off – in order to get value for money.

Making broth is one of the single most beneficial and economical health strategies you can employ for yourself and your family – for all of life. And whilst we hope that  it is a regular part of your life - we do understand it doesn’t always happen. When purchasing bone broth, always check the ingredients (particularly the bone source - you want 'organic' and 'pastured/grass fed'), to ensure you’re getting as close to the real thing as possible. You want to make sure that in times of need, you are actually reaping the sought after benefits, and not wasting your money.