Bone broth is nature's Botox
If you were to ask me, “Deena, what is one functional food you cannot live without?” I would definitely tell you, with unequivocal enthusiasm, BONE BROTH!
In addition to being an amazingly rich source of natural collagen and also known as “nature’s botox” (which at the risk of sounding vain, is one of my favourite benefits as real botox is toxic), it is an imperative ingredient in preserving the structure and integrity of the gut lining, as well as strengthening the hair, skin and nails. As anyone with Crohn’s disease or any gastrointestinal issue will tell you, maintaining gut health is absolute priority when keeping on the straight and narrow, and quality-made bone broth is just one of the most powerful functional foods to illicit and maintain that action, in addition to the many other beneficial properties it provides the body.
The active ingredient in bone broth is Collagen. Many people who hear the word Collagen may immediately conjure up thoughts of artificial cosmetic injections and fillers that were on trend in the 90’s and 2000’s, (Melrose Place and 90210 come to mind) and you’d be right in venturing down that path Lol.
However, collagen is actually the naturally occurring protein found in connective tissue of vertebrate animals. It’s abundant in bone, marrow, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. The breakdown of collagen in bone broth is what actually produces gelatin.
Gelatin (the breakdown of collagen) was one of the first functional foods used as a medical treatment in ancient China. Dr. Francis Pottenger and other world-class researchers have found gelatin and collagen to provide the following benefits:
Gelatin may help increase tolerance in people with food allergies and sensitivities, including cow’s milk and gluten.
Collagen protects and soothes the lining of the digestive tract and can help in healing IBS, Crohn’s, Ulcerative colitis and gastroesophageal reflux.
Gelatin enhances probiotic balance and growth in the gut.
Bone broth increases collagen, reducing the appearance of wrinkles on the skin and strengthens connective tissue.
Because gelatin helps break down proteins and soothes the gut lining, it may be useful for leaky gut syndrome and the autoimmune disorders that are associated with leaky gut (Crohn’s disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Psoriasis, Eczema, SLE, Rheumatoid arthritis etc).
Gelatin is rich in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus which are all important for preventing bone-loss, reducing joint pain and improving teeth remineralisation.
It is known as “Nature’s Botox”! According to Donna Gates, author of “Body Ecology,” bone broth benefits your skin because it strengthens connective tissue on a deep cellular level, which can increase skin elasticity and…. Wait for it ladies… CAN ALSO DECREASE CELLULITE!!!
Gates explains that consuming collagen-rich bone broth can reduce cellulite and tighten your skin, making you look younger — adding it to the long list of bone broth and collagen benefits.
You too can also attain all of these health benefits by simply enjoying 1 to 2 cups of quality bone broth each day. Replace one of your cups of tea or coffee with this amazing brew and see what differences you see in your health.
Here is my own favourite recipe below. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Gut Healing, Dietary Botox, Bone Broth
Makes: 4 litres
Prep time:10 mins
Cook time:6-12 hours
Ingredients:
1.5 kg Organic chicken frames or bony chicken parts (necks, backs, breastbones and wings)
4 chicken feet (optional)
2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
1 large onion roughly chopped
2 carrots roughly chopped
3 celery stalks roughly chopped
1 garlic bulb cut in half
2 large handful flat leaf parsley
1 tablespoon black peppercorns lightly crushed
Method:
If you are using raw bones, especially beef bones, the flavour will improve if you roast the bones in the oven first for 30mins at 180 degrees celsius, or pan fry them in the stock pot until slightly golden.
Place the chicken pieces in a stockpot or large saucepan; add 5 litres of cold water, the vinegar, onion, carrot, celery, leek, and peppercorns and leave to stand for 30 minutes – 1 hour. The acid from the vinegar will help to draw out some of the nutrients from the bones.
Bring to the boil, continuously skimming off the scum and foam that forms on the surface of the liquid (Healthy, Organic animals will produce less of this scum on the surface). Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 6 – 12 hours. The longer you cook the stock the more the flavours will develop and the more nutrients and collagen will be expelled from the bones. In the last 30 minutes of cooking, I like to add another handful of parsley and a whole clove of garlic to add another dimension of fresh flavours.
Allow to cool slightly before straining the stock through a fine sieve into a large GLASS (BPA free) storage container. Cover and place in your refrigerator until the fat rises to the top and the broth congeals (becomes jelly). A solid disc of fat should be sitting on the top of the jelly the next day, this can be easily removed and reserved for future cooking use.
The broth can be stored in the refrigerator up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months
Notes:
Be sure to skim the scum off the top, but reserve the fat for cooking. Simply let the broth cool in the fridge overnight, and the next day, skim the solidified fat and store in an airtight container to use for cooking fat. The reserved fat can be used as cooking oil for meat, poultry and vegetables dishes.
To serve, scoop the required amount of broth from the refrigerated broth jelly into a pot and heat on the stove until boiling. I like to add a drop of pure quality essential oils such as DoTERRA Lemongrass and a drop of Ginger to a cup of broth for some beautiful, warming, Asian flavours, or for more of a Middle-Eastern taste, I'll add a drop of Cumin oil and Lemon oil for a heart-warming woody spice infusion... So delicious I'm craving a cup right now!
Go on and give it a try, and please let me know if you have made my recipe by tagging me on instagram @deenajanekelaita_nutritionist or leave a comment on this page.
Here's to feeling good and looking great with bone broth!
Deena x