The Health Benefits of Bone Broth: 25 Reasons Why It’s My Daily Fix

Once upon a time, “boiling animal bones” sounded like something your nan did during rationing, not something trendy people sipped between yoga and biohacking podcasts.

But here we are.

Bone broth has made a roaring comeback. And not just among foodies or health nuts. Builders, dads, gym bros, and anyone fed up with feeling like they’ve been run over by life are turning to it. Why?

Because the health benefits of bone broth are too good to ignore—and they make sense, even if you don’t care for wellness buzzwords.

But is it really that good?

Does sipping a mug of broth beat eating another chicken breast? What exactly is in bone broth that makes it so magical for your gut, joints, skin, sleep… even mood?

And here’s the big one—is drinking bone broth just another overhyped trend, or is it actually doing something useful inside your body?

This post delves into the power of bone broths and why our ancestors were onto something when they refused to waste a single part of the animal.

You’ll learn what bone broth contains, the exact amino acids behind the benefits, and why this humble liquid packs more punch than many modern supplements.

If you want to feel better, move easier, sleep deeper, or just age a little more gracefully without downing a shelf of pills, keep reading.

TL;DR: Quick Summary of Bone Broth’s Benefits

• Bone broth contains collagen, minerals, and amino acids that support gut health, joint health, skin health, and overall recovery.
• Drinking bone broth regularly may help reduce inflammation, improve sleep, and boost the immune system.
• You can make bone broth at home by boiling animal bones, or buy high-quality bone broth off the shelf.
• It’s a simple, ancestral habit with real-world results, proven by tradition and backed by further research.

What Is Bone Broth and Why Are So Many People Drinking It?

Bone broth is exactly what it sounds like: a slow-cooked liquid made by boiling animal bones, connective tissue, and sometimes skin for four to six hours or more. The longer the cooking process, the more nutrients you extract, like collagen, gelatin, and key amino acids.

It’s not a new idea. Our great-grandparents made it by default. Bones from last night’s roast became tomorrow’s soup base. And they didn’t call it “gut-healing” or “collagen-rich”—they just called it food.

Today, bone broths have been rediscovered for their impressive nutritional profile. Unlike stock (which is often rushed), true bone broth simmers low and slow, unlocking minerals, gelatin, and the amino acid glycine, which plays a role in sleep, detox, and digestion.

You’ll often see chicken bone broth or beef bone broth sold as separate options. Each has its perks—beef for deeper flavor and collagen, chicken for a lighter taste and easier digestion. Either way, you’re getting serious nutritional value from something most people throw in the bin.

So why are so many people drinking bone broth these days?

Because it’s simple. Affordable. And it feels good.

This isn’t some flashy superfood flown in from a rainforest. It’s ancient, local, and rich in nutrients that your body actually recognizes. And once you experience the benefits for your joints, skin, gut, and energy, you’ll understand.

Now let’s break down exactly what those benefits are—and why consuming bone broth regularly might be one of the smartest things you can do for your health.

1. Repairs the Gut Lining and Improves Gut Health

Bloating? Indigestion? Your gut lining may be under attack from stress and modern diets. Bone broth helps patch things up.

It’s rich in gelatin, which soothes the digestive tract and supports the gut barrier. The amino acid glycine found in bone broths also promotes healing and reduces inflammation.

This makes drinking bone broth a great option if you’re dealing with inflammatory bowel disease or want smoother digestion, without adding another supplement to your cupboard.

2. Reduces Joint Pain and Supports Joint Health

If your knees creak more than your old floorboards, bone broth may help.

It’s packed with collagen and connective tissue compounds that your body uses to rebuild cartilage. The amino acids found in bone broths—like proline and glycine—are the same ones found in healthy joints.

That’s why many people notice less stiffness and soreness after they drink bone broth regularly. Especially if you’re active, aging, or want to move like you used to.

This stuff can make a real difference.

3. Improves Skin Elasticity and Reduces Signs of Aging

Forget expensive creams—bone broth contains the building blocks your skin actually needs.

Thanks to its high collagen content, drinking bone broth can support skin elasticity and hydration from the inside out. The amino acid glycine also plays a role in collagen synthesis, which helps keep your skin firm, not saggy.

It won’t turn back time, but it might just soften the edges—fewer fine lines, better glow, and skin that bounces back instead of drooping.

4. Strengthens Bones and Supports Bone Health

Your bones aren’t just calcium—they’re living tissue that needs more than milk to stay strong. Bone broth contains essential minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium, which help support bone health naturally.

Additionally, it provides collagen precursors, which contribute to bone flexibility and density. Whether you’re recovering from injury or just want to stay solid as you age, bone broths are a smart addition.

5. Builds Lean Muscle Mass and Aids Recovery

Protein isn’t just for bodybuilders. It’s key for maintaining strength as you age, and bone broth provides abundant protein in an easy-to-digest form.

It also includes amino acids such as glycine and glutamine, which aid in muscle repair and recovery.

That’s why consuming bone broth after workouts can help you build muscle and bounce back faster, without feeling heavy.

6. Enhances Sleep Quality and Promotes Restful Sleep

Struggle to switch off at night? Bone broth may help.

The amino acid glycine has been linked to better sleep quality by calming the nervous system and lowering core body temperature.

A warm mug of bone broth in the evening is like a natural wind-down—no pills required.

7. Reduces Inflammation and Supports Recovery

Chronic inflammation is the underlying cause of a wide range of health issues, from joint aches to gastrointestinal problems. The anti-inflammatory properties of bone broth come from its amino acids, especially glycine and glutamine.

Regularly drinking bone broth may help reduce inflammation throughout the body, making it easier to recover from stress, workouts, and everyday life.

8. Helps Heal the Gut Barrier and Reduce Intestinal Permeability

A damaged gut barrier can allow unwanted stuff into the bloodstream, causing all sorts of chaos. The gelatin and collagen in bone broths help seal and protect that lining.

This can reduce intestinal permeability—a fancy way of saying your gut becomes less “leaky,” which is good news for your overall health and immune system.

9. Supports Digestive Health and Nutrient Absorption

A healthy gut is about more than just what you eat—it’s about what you absorb. Bone broth contains compounds that support digestive health and enhance nutrient absorption.

The cooking process breaks down bones and tissues into a liquid that’s easy on your gut and rich in things your body can actually use.

10. Strengthens the Immune System Naturally

Your gut and immune system are best mates. Since bone broth supports gut health, it naturally boosts your immune system too.

It’s rich in nutrients like zinc and gelatin, which help protect the body and support immune cell function. A mug a day isn’t a miracle cure—but it’s a solid line of defence.

11. Regulates Appetite and Supports Healthy Body Weight

Struggling with cravings or late-night snacking? Bone broth may help. It’s low in calories but rich in protein and gelatin, which help you feel full and satisfied.

This makes it a smart option for managing body weight, especially during fasting or between meals.

12. Provides a Natural Source of Collagen Precursors

You don’t need expensive collagen supplements when bone broth gives you the raw materials for free.

It contains collagen precursors, unlike most powders—plus it’s whole food-based. These nutrients feed your body what it needs for joints, skin, and connective tissue, without the filler.

13. Supports Collagen Production for Whole-Body Health

Collagen holds you together—literally. It’s the most abundant protein in the human body, and bone broth helps you make more of it.

Loaded with dietary glycine and proline, it fuels natural collagen production, supporting skin, joints, bones, and even your gut lining.

14. Improves Hair, Skin, and Nail Strength

Hair thinning? Nails that snap like twigs? Dry, tired-looking skin?

Thanks to its amino acids found in bone broths, you’re feeding your body the same nutrients it uses to grow stronger, healthier tissue. Many people notice shinier hair and tougher nails within weeks of adding bone broth to their routine.

15. Helps Hydration and Electrolyte Balance

Bone broth contains essential minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium—key electrolytes that support proper hydration.

Whether you’re sweating in the gym or just tired of water, drinking bone broth can help balance fluids and keep your cells firing without resorting to sugary sports drinks.

16. Boosts Mood and Supports Mental Clarity

Feeling foggy or a bit low? Bone broth may give your brain a gentle nudge.

The amino acid glycine supports neurotransmitter function and has calming effects, while glutamine helps fuel the brain.

Some report better focus, fewer mood swings, and a general sense of “I’ve got this” after adding bone broth to their day.

17. Helps You Recover Faster From Illness or Surgery

Sick, sore, or just run-down? The nutritional benefits of bone broth make it ideal for recovery.

Its abundant protein, collagen, and minerals support tissue repair, energy, and hydration. It’s gentle on the stomach and provides what your body needs without overloading the system.

18. Offers the Same Nutrients Found in Whole Animal Foods

Think of bone broth as a liquid version of nose-to-tail eating. It delivers the same nutrients found in bones, cartilage, marrow, and connective tissue—all in one warm mug.

That’s the kind of nutrition most of us don’t get from modern plant foods or lean cuts of meat alone.

19. Makes Fasting Easier and More Sustainable

Trying to skip meals but keep hitting the wall? Bone broth is good for fasting because it’s light, nutrient-dense, and helps curb hunger.

You get electrolytes, amino acids, and a small protein hit—without breaking the fast completely. That’s why many use it during intermittent fasting or longer resets.

20. Helps You Stay on a Low Sodium Diet (If Made Right)

Store-bought soups and stocks can be sodium bombs. However, when you make bone broth yourself, you have control over the salt.

That makes it ideal for those on a low sodium diet, especially when made from chicken bones, beef bones, and filtered water—with just a pinch of good salt added at the end.

21. Supports Anti-Inflammatory Capacity of the Body

The anti-inflammatory capacity of bone broth isn’t just theory—it’s built into its nutrient profile.

With glycine, glutamine, and other compounds that help reduce inflammation, bone broth benefits your body’s ability to stay calm under pressure, whether that’s physical, emotional, or dietary stress.

Next up: how bone broth may even support better results from your workouts and daily activity.

22. Improves Recovery After Exercise or Physical Stress

Tired legs, sore back, stiff joints—your body takes a beating, even if you’re just doing DIY on the weekend.

Bone broth contains collagen and amino acids, such as glycine and glutamine, which support tissue repair and help reduce post-exercise soreness.

It’s ideal for both weekend warriors and regular gym-goers.

23. Helps Maintain Strength and Mobility as You Age

As we get older, we lose lean muscle mass and joint flexibility. Bone broths help slow that decline by feeding your tissues what they need—collagen, gelatin, and amino acids found in bones and connective tissue.

No, it’s not a time machine—but it might help you get up off the floor without groaning.

24. Provides Real Food Support for a Simpler, Ancestral Diet

Boiling animal bones for nourishment isn’t new—it’s ancient. And it fits perfectly with an animal-based or nose-to-tail approach. It’s part of what I call the Ultimate Human Diet.

If you’re skipping plant foods, avoiding processed junk, or just trying to eat more like a human should, bone broth makes it simple.

25. Delivers Key Nutrients Without Overloading Digestion

Not everyone digests food like a champ. If you’re dealing with stress, gut issues, or just a sensitive system, bone broth offers a gentler way to get real nourishment.

The cooking process breaks everything down into a smooth, absorbable liquid. It’s like hitting “easy mode” for your stomach.

How to Make Bone Broth

Making your own bone broth is simple, and once you’ve done it once, you’ll wonder why you ever bought the boxed stuff.

All you need is:

• A mix of animal bones (think beef bones, chicken bones, or leftovers from bone-in roasts)
• Optional: aromatic vegetables like onion, garlic, and celery (if you tolerate them)
• Water, a splash of vinegar, and time—four to six hours minimum for a basic brew

Toss it all into a pot or slow cooker, simmer low and slow, and strain once done. That’s it. You’ll be left with a rich, collagen-packed broth that stores well in the fridge or freezer.

Want the full breakdown? Check out my article that covers how to cook your bone broth.

Where to Get High Quality Bones (Without the Hassle)

You don’t need to chase down a local farmer or wrestle a cow. Beef bones and chicken bones are easier to get than most people think.

Start with:

• Leftover bones from roasts, drumsticks, or ribs
• The meat department at your local butcher or supermarket—ask for marrow bones, knuckles, or neck bones
• Online suppliers who ship high-quality bone broth bones straight to your door

If you’re not sure what to buy or how to ask for it, I’ve got you covered here:

➡️ Where to Buy the Best Bones

Best Pre-Made Bone Broths (If You Don’t Want to Make Your Own)

Not everyone wants to babysit a simmering pot for hours. Luckily, some pre-made bone broths actually hit the mark for quality, taste, and nutrition.

Here are three solid options that don’t cut corners:

✅ Best for Daily Use – Kettle & Fire Bone Broth

Slow-simmered with grass-fed beef bones or organic chicken bones, plus veggies and herbs. Long shelf life, great taste, and excellent reviews.

✅ Best Budget Option – Pacific Foods Organic Bone Broth

Affordable, easy to find, and ideal for cooking or sipping. Made from real animal bones—not broth-flavored water.

✅ Best for Athletes – Bare Bones Bone Broth

Higher protein intake per serving, clean ingredients, and no weird additives. Great for recovery or building muscle on the go.

➡️ Check out my article for the best bone broths on the market.

How to Drink Bone Broth (Without Getting Bored)

Drinking bone broth doesn’t have to mean sipping plain liquid from a mug while pretending it’s coffee. There are plenty of ways to make it tasty and part of your daily rhythm:

🔹 Start the day with a warm mug

Use it instead of tea or coffee, especially if you’re fasting. For extra fuel, add salt, butter, or even tallow. This Norpro cordless mixer is a lifesaver for mixing butter or tallow into bone broth.

🔹 Sip it in the evening

It’s calming, helps with restful sleep, and won’t leave you bloated like a late-night snack.

🔹 Use it in meals

Make soups, stews, or even scramble your eggs with a splash of broth. Rotate between beef bone broth and chicken bone broth for variety.

For an animal-based, nutrient-dense meal that contains bone broth, check out Jim’s Special Ground Mince recipe (Jim is me, in case you were wondering).

Conclusion: Bone Broth Isn’t Trendy—It’s Just Smart

For something so simple, bone broth delivers a ridiculous amount of benefits. You name it: better joints, firmer skin, deeper sleep, improved digestion, fewer cravings, faster recovery.

And it’s not magic. It’s just the natural result of simmering animal bones, connective tissue, and a few hours of patience. It’s real food; your body knows what to do with it.

If you want to feel better, look better, and move better without chasing fad diets or swallowing a pharmacy’s worth of pills, drinking bone broth regularly is a no-brainer.

Whether you make your bone broth or grab a decent pre-made one, you’re fuelling your body with the kind of stuff your ancestors thrived on—long before “wellness” became a thing.

Simple. Powerful. And worth the hype.

Bone broth is part of the nose-to-tail philosophy, where nothing goes to waste. It’s also part of a carnivore, animal-based, or ancestral diet.

If you’re trying to figure out what to eat for optimal health but are confused by the conflicting information Google provides, check out my article, ‘Ultimate Human Diet,’ to gain clarity.

And that’s it… have a nutritious day!

FAQs

Is it okay to drink bone broth every day?

Yes, drinking bone broth daily is safe and beneficial. It supports gut health, joint health, collagen production, and overall nutrition, especially when made from high-quality bone broth ingredients.

What does bone broth do to your body?

Bone broth contains collagen, minerals, and amino acids that support your digestive tract, joints, skin, and immune system. It helps reduce inflammation, promote healing, and improve nutritional value intake.

What type of bone broth is healthiest?

The healthiest option is homemade bone broth made from beef, chicken, or mixed animal bones. Choose grass-fed, organic sources for the best nutritional benefits and fewer unwanted additives.

How long does it take to see the benefits of bone broth?

Many people notice bone broth’s benefits for digestion within four to six hours, while others see changes in joint pain, sleep, or skin after a week or two of consistent use.