Bone broth has been around for thousands of years, both as food and medicine. It was first recommended by Hippocrates for cleansing and digestion and the Chinese were known to use it for renal and digestive health. The Caribbean folks have it as a part of their daily breakfast.
Recent studies have analyzed the nutrient content of bone broth and suggest potential benefits, but research is still limited. It’s more accurate to see yakhni as a nourishing, protein-rich soup rather than a cure-all. There is even a Paleo diet named after this amazing super food called the ‘bone broth diet’. Every culture has come up with their own unique rendition and name, its bouillon in French, caldo in Spanish, brodo for Italians, and yakhni for us.

So, what really is yakhni? Made by simmering animal bones and cartilages with a bit of meat, it comes out as a light curry. The consistency depends on how long you cook it for. Some people use vinegar to help release more nutrients from the bones. There is chicken yakhni, beef yakhni and even fish yakhni. We mostly use it as a soothing and healing tonic in our culture. It’s not just a warm comforting drink but is also good for everything from colds to cough, energy restoration and even stomach aches.

 All this makes one wonder the reason behind its popularity. There are quite a few of these:

1. It’s Loaded with Nutrients

Depending on the bones, meat, and vegetables used, yakhni can provide protein, collagen, some minerals (like calcium and phosphorus), and small amounts of vitamins. The exact nutrient levels vary a lot from batch to batch. It also helps these nutrients absorb better. You can go ahead and use it as a dressing for your salad that will result in a super charged, nutritious meal.

2. Great For the Gut

It’s great for constipation, diarrhea and leaky gut. Gut irritation causes most helpful nutrients to pass out of the body without providing any benefit. Gelatin and collagen peptides are being studied for their potential effects on gut barrier function, but human evidence is still early. Yakhni can be a gentle, easy-to-digest option for many people with digestive upset, but it should not replace medical treatment for gut diseases.

3. Protects Bones and Joints

The process of simmering releases collagen that turns into gelatin. When we consume this, our body turns it back into collagen which is great for our bones and joints. This is especially beneficial for people with osteoarthritis — a wear and tear disease of joints that comes with age and brings pain and stiffness. The amino acids, phosphorous and calcium also lead to stronger bones.

4. Aids In Weight Loss

We all know that a protein-rich meal will help you feel full for far longer and will also reduce cravings. This is exactly why broth has been found to aid in weight loss. There is no need to starve yourself and be lethargic either since this low-calorie substitute will also help you feel full of energy.

5. Aids In Better-quality Sleep

Once again, we see the magic of amino acids at play here. Research has found that glycine improves sleep. Having a bowl of broth with your dinner and then hitting the haystack will mean a restorative sleep and less fatigue the next day.

6. Great For Teeth, Skin, Hair and Nails

Here again we’ll be singing praises of the collagen present in broth that helps with getting stronger and healthier hair, nails and even skin. Then there are calcium and Vitamin D which is good for our teeth.

7. Anti-inflammatory Benefits 

It has anti-inflammatory amino acids in it and can help replenish the immune system. Hence, people with inflammatory bowel disease can greatly benefit from this. Chicken broth also contains a molecule called carnosine that helps ease inflammation. Another helpful component is glutathione which reduces free radicals and helps fight oxidative stress. A diet that includes broths, plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats may support lower inflammation over time, but bone broth alone cannot ‘cure’ chronic inflammation.

… But I’m A Vegetarian, What Are My Options?

We have you covered. As it turns out, there are alternate resources you can use for the same number of benefits you get from bone broth. You can use onions, carrots, celery, garlic, ginger, peppers, parsnips and even seaweed. Adding coconut oil, olive oil, turmeric, spinach, parsley, basil or cilantro can help make it full of flavor too.

Another great alternative is mushroom broth. For this, portabella, shiitake and porcini mushrooms can be used. One of the most common ways to go about it is adding sautéed mushrooms to a pot of water with herbs and letting it simmer for a bit. With these vegetarian options you can strain it or have it as a vegetable soup.

There may be more that this superfood does for us, but we are yet to find out about it. Based on what we know so far, it’s definitely something we should all add to our daily diet.