Featured Image Credit: RyanJLane/Getty
Topics: Health
Lara Owen
Bone broth has been everywhere lately — Instagram feeds, wellness blogs, and even café menus.
Marketed as the ultimate gut healer, collagen booster, and skin saviour, it seems like everyone is jumping on the trend. But before you start simmering bones for hours, it’s worth asking: is it really the nutrient-packed miracle it’s made out to be?
Many people swear by it. There’s a reason bone broth has stuck around in kitchens for centuries. Slow-simmered animal bones release collagen, amino acids, and minerals into the liquid, creating a rich, savoury base for soups, stews, and even sipping on its own. It’s comforting, warming, and — when used as part of a balanced diet — absolutely nourishing. But the hype can sometimes make it sound like a magic potion.
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Nutritionist Emily English, known to many as Em the Nutritionist, puts it bluntly. She says bone broth is great in moderation, but not a cure-all.
“I do love bone broth and cook with it a lot. It’s a good source of collagen and glycine, which your gut barrier really appreciates,” she told Hello. “That said, it’s not quite the nutrient powerhouse it’s sometimes made out to be."
English added: "Think of it as a nourishing addition, not a cure-all.”
The truth is, bone broth does bring something to the table, particularly for gut health and supporting joints.
The collagen and amino acids can help maintain connective tissue, and the warm liquid is soothing for digestion. But you won’t get all your daily nutrients from a cup of broth alone. You still need your vegetables, grains, proteins, and healthy fats to create a truly balanced diet.
What makes bone broth worth incorporating is how versatile it is.
You can use it as a base for soups, pour it over grains, or even enjoy a small cup on its own when you need a comforting pick-me-up. It’s not about relying on it as a superfood cure; it’s about making it part of a wider, balanced eating plan that includes plenty of fibre, vitamins, and minerals.
The current wellness culture loves trends, and bone broth has earned its spotlight, but it’s important to separate the hype from the reality. It can enhance a meal and provide specific benefits, but it won’t replace other healthy eating habits or act as a miracle fix. English advises treating it as just one piece of the nutrition puzzle.
At the end of the day, sipping on bone broth can be a delicious, gut-friendly ritual — but don’t let marketing make you think it’s a magic bullet.
Enjoy it for the comfort, flavour, and small nutritional perks it provides, and remember to keep your overall diet varied and balanced. Bone broth works best as a complement, not a replacement, for a nutrient-rich diet that fuels your body properly.