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February 27, 2019
If you spend any time at all on the Internet, you’ve probably heard of bone broth. It’s the latest health craze, purported to have all kinds of health benefits. But, what exactly is it and can it really improve your aging relative’s health?
Bone Broth Basics
Bone broth is made using the bones and connective tissues of animals. You simply place them in a pot and simmer them. The resulting broth is often used to make things like gravy, soups, and sauces. Some people also just drink it because of its supposed health benefits.
Bone broth is believed to date back to ancient times when people who were hunter-gatherers boiled parts of animals that they could not otherwise eat to create a liquid they could drink. It can be made from pretty much any animal, including poultry, fish, beef, pork, and more.
Are There Health Benefits?
There’s no doubt that bone broth contains nutrients that can be beneficial. In addition, it has also been suggested that bone broth has numerous benefits, including:
Better Digestion: Bone broth contains gelatin, which may help digestion by attaching to water and making food move through the intestine more easily. Some people believe it also helps to protect and heal the intestinal wall.
Improves Joint Health: The gelatin in bone broth may become collagen in the body, which is a substance important in joints. Collagen is one of the substances that makes up the cartilage that protects the bones in joints.
Weight Loss: Bone broth may help with weight loss because it is nutritious and filling but contains few calories.
Aids Sleep: Bone broth contains an amino acid called glycine that has been linked to better sleep.
Despite all the claims made about bone broth, though, you should know that there is very little scientific evidence to support the health benefits. That doesn’t mean your aging relative shouldn’t drink it, only that it may not be the miracle cure it’s supposed to be.
If your aging relative would like to try bone broth, a senior care provider can make it for them. There are several recipes available on the Internet. The stockpot needed to boil the bones can be quite heavy, so having a senior care provider who can lift it could spare your loved one a burn or other injury. A senior care provider can even drive your family member to the grocery store or butcher shop to pick up the ingredients needed.
Sources
Medicalnewstoday.com
Healthline.com
Medicalnewstoday.com
Nutritionstudies.org