Gut Healing Bone Broth

There is good reason bone broth is touted as one of the most healing and sealing foods for your gut and is the basis for many gut healing diets - because it’s true! Bone broth is a very rich source of collagen and gelatin. Gelatin is particularly healing on the gastrointestinal lining by helping maintain the integrity of our gastric mucosa, thereby reducing intestinal permeability (i.e leaky gut) and having a ‘sealing’ effect on the gut.

Additionally, when the bones are simmered, minerals (such as magnesium, calcium and phosphorus) are released in easily absorbable forms, alongside important amino acids such as glycine, proline and glutamine.

I like to start or end my day with a cup of bone broth. I add a generous teaspoon of the broth into a cup and add hot water. You can also freeze portions into ice cube trays and chuck into meals or smoothies (can’t taste it), throughout the week. Or I have some clients who just like to use it as the base of many meals throughout the week instead of buying store brought stock - which is totally incomparable from a nutrient standpoint to homemade bone broth.

If you have a slowcooker- it’s a pretty easy gig to make… If you really don’t want to make your own, I’d recommend Gevity Bone Broth Concentrate.

image via Grassland Beef

SLOW COOKER BONE BROTH

• At least 700gram-1kg of ORGANIC bones (always choose organic as you’re leeching the nutrients from the bones so you want the best)

• Tablespoon of Apple cider vinegar

• Filtered Water

• OPTIONAL FOR FLAVOUR: vegetable scraps (e.g carrot heads, celery etc), onion, garlic, ginger, herbs

Add the bones to your slow cooker (can be frozen). Add the apple cider vinegar and spices and vegetables to the pot if using. Top with filtered water, making sure everything is covered. Set to lowest setting and leave for 24-48 hours. 48 hours is ideal with beef bones, 24 hours is normally enough for chicken bones. Strain and done!

It will keep for up to a week in the fridge or 6 months in the freezer.