Rich in nutrients, bone broth has gone from being a kitchen staple to a nourishing drink that people enjoy on its own. Bone broth is so popular that pre-packaged, drinkable broth has started appearing on grocery shelves. Some drink it directly from a thermos while others add it to their favorite dishes.

What is Bone Broth?

Bone broth is a broth made from simmering bones and vegetables in a pot for hours, which infuses the water with flavor and nutrients. In the past, people used bone broth as a base for soups and stews. Today, many people drink the broth directly to get more nutrients in their diets.

Bones from virtually any animal can be added to bone broth, including fish, cows, chickens, pigs, deer and turkeys. Some recipes call for bone marrow, connective tissue and parts like beaks and gizzards. This reduces waste in the kitchen and gives cooks the full benefit of the animal.

How to Make Bone Broth

People who have never made bone broth before can use an online recipe for exact ingredients and measurements. If they're confident about what they need, they add the ingredients to their pot and let the broth simmer for at least 24 hours. Most recipes call for vinegar alongside the bones and vegetables to ensure that the nutrients leach into the water.

If they don't have time to cook bone broth, grocery stores sell powdered bone broth mix and premade bone broth in a sipp-able container.

Nutritional Benefits of Bone Broth

While each animal offers different nutrients, most bones are rich in calcium, potassium and magnesium. Bone marrow provides other minerals like iron and zinc. Fish bones offer omega-3 fatty acids and iodine. With gelatin and amino acids, bone marrow may aid the digestion process and help patients with conditions like Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Since bone broth is keto-friendly, drinking bone broth could help people lose weight. Some dieters freeze bone broth cubes and add portions to their meals on a regular basis. Vegetables in bone broth also provide vitamins, minerals and nutrients that the individual might not get in their diet.

How to Enjoy Bone Broth

Many people drink bone broth straight from a thermos. They drink it in the morning to start their day with a nutrient boost or sip bone broth as they sit at their office desk. Others use it as a soup base to get the benefits of whole meat and vegetables. Some use bone broths when they cook grains to get a savory taste and extra vitamins along with the fiber.

Once they add bone broth to their diets, people might notice more energy and increased weight loss, making bone broth worth the preparation time.