Bone Broth - An Ancestral Elixir

My grandmother froze the carcasses of the meat she cooked. When she had a sufficient amount of bones she’d throw them all in a pot on the stove and let it simmer for days. She called it her barnyard broth. She’d use the liquid in her outrageously-good red sauce and as a base for her incredible soups.

These memories from my grandmother’s kitchen are my earliest connection to the concept of bone broth, an ancient food staple used by traditional cultures for centuries. It transforms what might be considered food waste into a potent and powerful source of nutrients that many would pay a high price for if bottled into supplements. 

​As much as I appreciate and am in awe of science-driven biohacking health trends, I am equally drawn to what our ancestors did to stay healthy. In fact, if you look at traditional practices you can find a remedy for just about everything that we are looking for with our modern-day quick-fix mindsets. Many of today’s health “trends” are rooted in ancestral practices—bone broth included.

Why? Well, some of the notable and scientifically backed health benefits of bone broth include:  

• improving joint health
• supporting bone health and repair
• tightening skin
• strengthening hair and nails
• sealing and healing the body’s intestinal tract
• enhancing immune function
• aiding digestion
• supporting natural detoxification
• speeding up muscle repair and recovery
• improving nerve and brain health
• easing anxiety
• improving mood and sleep
• providing electrolytes and aiding hydration

I’ve used bone broth as part of my personal wellness regimen for over two decades. I love to drink it warm first thing in the morning pre-workout. After fasting all night my system is eager to absorb its many nutrients.

As a lifelong athlete, I highly recommend bone broth for other athletes. It’s the perfect pre-workout drink: nutrient rich and full of essential amino acids as well as electrolytes—things the body is looking for to fuel a workout. It’s also great mid- and post- workout and as a race- or competition-day beverage; it contains much of the same nutrients found in fancy sports drinks, without all the additives and sugar.

Additionally, many athletes, especially endurance athletes, have diminished gut health. This is largely due to the fact that prolonged exercise diverts blood from the digestive system to the muscles. This can weaken the gut lining, making it susceptible to permeability and leaky gut, which in turn can trigger an inflammatory response, as well as result in reduced absorption of nutrients and compromised digestive capacity. Bone broth contains collagen, gelatin, and glutamine which all help repair and strengthen the gut lining. Collagen and gelatin help heal and seal the gut lining, while glutamine helps rebuild and maintain the structural lining of your digestive tract to prevent against future damage.

So, whether you’re looking for an athletic fuel or recovery drink; a beauty superfood; an anti-inflammatory immune booster; a remedy for digestive disorders, achy joints and other ailments; or you just want a flavorful cooking staple—bone broth is the answer.

If you’re in the Tucson area and want to get your hands on some high-quality, locally sourced bone broth, check out my company Guru Broo. Inspired by my grandmother and the ancient traditions, I use bones from local, pasture-raised animals and organic vegetables and herbs so you can drink up in good conscience and good health!  

https://www.gurubroo.com
Conscientiously Created Bone Broth

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