Is bone broth good for you, or is it just another wellness fad backed by flimsy evidence? On this week’s episode of the Get-Fit Guy podcast we delve into the details, unpacking the claims surrounding the intensely revered bone broth.

For Coach Kevin’s full take on the bone broth matter, click on the player above or click this link to episode 670 of Get-Git Guy to listen to the full episode. 

Understanding bone broth

Bone broth, plainly speaking, is the product of boiling animal or fish bones for extensive periods. This is believed to extract vital nutrients from the bones – a claim that begins to falter upon closer inspection.

The argument against bone broth claims

Upon exploring numerous bone broth websites, trigger words such as “reset,” “cleanse,” and “inflammation” tend to surface. Hovering tentatively between the lines of health improvement and total well-being, such claims drew skepticism, leading to the use of the truth table – a philosophy tool used to decrypt the validity of an argument. The findings? The claims turned out to be logically INVALID.

Countering anecdotal evidence

Historical accounts of ancestors extracting nutrients from boiling bones seem off mark, given the fact that micronutrients were only identified and isolated around the 1930s. The claim appears more aligned with the current wave of ancestral wellness trend rather than proven facts.

Further assertions of bone broth being lauded by many cultures for its healing properties also raise suspicions. After all, history isn’t devoid of misguided practices such as bloodletting and mercury treatments, making such endorsements questionable.

Evaluating scientific claims about bone broth

The broader presumptions surrounding bone broth claim a range of health benefits including gut support, improved immune system, enhanced skin health, stronger hair and nails, reduced inflammation, better sleep, and weight management. But science presents a contrasting viewpoint.

A previous Get-Fit Guy, Dr. Jonathan Su explained how exercise can boost your immunity. Listen to his take in the player below:

According to The Center for Nutritional Studies (2019), there’s no distinct advantage in consuming amino acids and nutrients from bone broth over conventional foods. A British study echoed the sentiment, noting that bone broth’s nutrient content was subpar and that nutrient levels increased primarily with the addition of vegetables.

The clincher, however, pertains to potential lead contamination. A 2013 UK study discovered that bone broth could contain over ten times the lead level found in water, leading to serious health concerns.

Taking a fresh look at bone broth

In light of the evidence, the question “Is bone broth good for you?” merits serious reconsideration. The nutritional claims about bone broth are up for debate, with the only noticeable benefits linked to vegetable addition. Further, the high lead levels in bone broth prompt caution when incorporating it into a regular diet. Always ensure to exercise discernment and rely on scientific evidence when adopting health and wellness trends.

This is a very brief glimpse of Coach Kevin’s thoughts on bone broth. Tune into the Get-Fit Guy podcast for more of his take on bone broth and other health and fitness trends.