WHY DRINK BONE BROTH?
From Immunity to Gut Health, Bone Broth Pretty Much Has it All
First of all, what is bone broth?
Bone broth, like most great health boosting and feel-awesome remedies, has been around for eons. Often called “stock”, bone broth is a soup base made from the beef or chicken bones (LOTS of them) that are simmered for up to 48 hours. Not just any bones - we’re talking knuckles, necks, feet - the stuff that only grandma knew how to use. It’s benefits come from collagen, amino acids and minerals found only in the bones and connective tissue.
What’s special about Lily’s Ladle Hand-Crafted Broth?
Honestly, kind of everything.
First, the integrity with which we source our products, honoring not only the animals that provide our bones, but supporting the local farmers who raise them. Second, every batch of broth is handmade, using only fresh and natural ingredients, nothing artificial. Third, taste. Rich, savory and instantly satisfying. Our beef is pastured and grass fed, chickens are hormone and antibiotic free, and our veggies are farmed in a sustainable manner. All this literally simmers down to the most nutrient dense broth you can choose.
What’s wrong with the cartons of organic broth on my grocer’s shelves?
Many commercially packaged stocks or broths use mostly meat, resulting in product that's thin, watery and lacking the taste found in fresh bone broth. For this reason, these products are often bolstered with large amounts of salt and other artificial flavor substitutes (often like MSG). It’s the clean, broken-down bones, through our long simmering process from which come those powerful healing properties. Only a broth that's been crafted from fresh ingredients and immediately consumed or frozen will achieve this.
Benefits of Bone Broth
IMMUNITY + ANTIINFLAMMATORY
Anyone who has listened to their grandma knows that sipping hot soup helps clear nasal passages and can usually cure whatever is ailing you. Bone broth packs an extra punch thanks to the concentration of amino acids, the building blocks for a strong immune system. It’s also working wonders to fight infection - a study found that warm broth promotes the activity of white blood cells - the "first responders" of inflammation.
STRONG BONES + HEALTHY JOINTS
Collagen, which is found in the connective tissue of animals, is long thought to help rebuild the tendons and ligaments our own fragile joints. Proline, an important amino acid found in bone broth, is vital to our own body’s collagen production. Collagen is also essential for making our skin plump and firm and our hair strong and glowing.
Chondroitin sulfate + glucosamine are the superheros for healthy joints. They have been known to help prevent osteoarthritis, rebuild cartilage and reduce joint pain. Drinking bone broth has also been shown to replace electrolytes after intense exercise and aid in post-workout recovery. The minerals calcium, magnesium, potassium found in animal bones seep out during the long simmering process, adding more bone building punch in every bowl.
REDUCE STRESS + SLEEP BETTER
Bone broth is rich in glycine, an amino acid which is known to calm anxiety. Glycine can help lower the level of cortisol created by the body, not only reducing stress but also the storage of unnecessary fat in the body. Glycine is also used to improve sleep and cognitive function. Glutamine can help in the treatment of mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, and insomnia. Bone broth also gives you a dose of highly bioavailable magnesium, a mineral with powerful calming properties.
IMPROVE GUT FUNCTION
The bones of animals contains significant amounts of gelatin, a protein long known as a digestive aid. Gelatin helps move food through the digestive tract and is thought to heal the lining of the intestines. The amino acids glycine + proline are helpful in creation of stomach acid which can promote more efficient digestion. Glycine also aids the liver in removing toxins and heavy metals, and boosts production of antioxidants. Glutamine, another amino acid, helps maintain function of the intestinal wall and combats many GI disorders like Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis and stomach ulcers.
Bone broth has an incredible ratio of protein/carb/fat (roughly 40% / 40% / 20%) and because of this can easily be used as a meal replacement for those looking to do a short-term cleanse or weight loss program. Bone marrow is loaded with healthy fat (monounsaturated) which is not only good for your body but will help you feel satiated. Sipping warm broth is a great complement to a juice cleanse and can make you feel more satisfied for longer stretches than cold juice.
...aaaand it's super easy to enjoy
Simply thaw and consume as a drink, or cook with it. Grains and vegetables cooked in broth are delicious, and become extremely nutrient dense. And of course, soups, stews and sauces are incredibly more flavorful using Lily's Ladle broths as the base.
Check out the Recipes page for practical cooking tips and yummy ideas.