You may have landed here searching for information about bone broth, its health benefits, or how you use it. You're not alone in wondering! Though bone broth is an ancestral food that has been consumed for possibly thousands of years, available products vary in quality, and sometimes it can be overwhelming to figure out what products to choose, and where to begin in using them.
Today, let's clear up some of the confusion and the noise and talk all things bone broth!
What Is Bone Broth?
Simply enough, bone broth is the liquid made from simmering the bones and connective tissues of animals. These often unused parts contain vast amounts of nutrients that you don't find in the meat of the animal, including beneficial amino acids and collagen/gelatin. So by consuming all parts of the animal, you are not only creating less waste but also reaping the many benefits that the bones and connective tissues have to offer!
Bone Broth vs. Stock vs. Chicken or Beef Broth – What’s the Difference?
Broth, stock, and bone broth each have distinct characteristics, mainly defined by their ingredients and cooking times.
- Chicken or Beef Broth: This has the shortest cook time and nutrients of the three (less than two hours) and is typically made from a combination of water, meat, vegetables, and aromatics. It won't become gelatinous when chilled.
- Stock: This is made from water, vegetables, aromatics, and animal bones (sometimes with meat attached) and cooked for 4-6 hours to extract flavor and some gelatin.
- Bone broth: The most nutrient-dense of the three. It is unique due to its long cooking time (18+ hours), allowing more nutrients like collagen, amino acids, electrolytes, and glucosamine to be extracted from the bones. Not only can you sip on bone broth to enjoy its unique nutrient profile, but you can also use it in cooking—simply replace water or stock with bone broth in your recipes for added nutrition.
How is FOND's Bone Broth Made?
Here at FOND, we craft the highest-quality foundational foods that reclaim vital nourishment lost to modern diets. By making them deliciously easy to incorporate into any recipe, we help you put nutrient-density back on the menu.
Our bone broth is made by hand in small batches, just like you’d do at home. We start with real bones sourced from regenerative farms in the US and slow-simmer them with water in a 1:1 ratio for 18+ hours, adding fresh herbs and spices to many of our flavors along the way. A sad truth of the industry? Most store-bought broth is made using a rehydrated powder or concentrate, meaning your broth is cooked multiple times before it gets to you, and while it may have started with real bones, by the time it gets to you it is a fairly processed product missing vital nutrients and flavor. Don't believe us? Watch this video of FOND's gelatin content vs a leading boxed broth competitor.
Before being packaged in our signature glass jars, we skim the fat so that your broth takes on a versatile and beautifully clear consistency that you can use for recipes or sip on its own. Another little known fact is that most boxed broth containers are actually lined with plastic. This is a big issue when most broth is hot-filled, meaning it's added to the plastic-lined container while still warm or hot. We prefer glass, which is naturally inert and free of microplastics.
The 7 Science-Backed Health Benefits of Bone Broth
There's a reason bone broth is called liquid gold!
We will let you in on a little secret - there are an endless number of reasons why you should be drinking or using bone broth daily. Whether you are looking to improve your skin health, lose or maintain your weight, or support gut health, bone broth is there for you when you need it.
Supports Gut Health
Bone broth provides building blocks for the rapidly growing cells of the gut lining and is a precious resource for finding all of the valuable amino acids, collagen, gelatin and trace minerals your gut craves!
Some amino acids found in bone broth, like glutamine, support digestion. Because glutamine helps heal and seal the gut lining it also improves intestinal permeability (commonly known as leaky gut), a condition which irritates the mucosal lining of the intestines and interferes with the body’s ability to digest food. Looking for more in-depth information on why bone broth is crucial for supporting good gut health? Read more here.
Promotes Joint Health & Reduces Inflammation
Bone broth is a source of gelatin, also known as cooked collagen. This is especially important for your joints, which wear down with continued use. Adding gelatin to your diet may protect your joints from this damage.
One of our favorite FOND flavors for reducing inflammation is our Turmeric & Black Pepper Bone Broth, thanks to the powerful anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric combined with the absorption-enhancing benefits of black pepper (black pepper can increase the absorption of turmeric by up to 2,000%!). This flavorful broth is a FOND bestseller and supports joint health and overall wellness with every sip or sauté.
Boosts Skin, Hair & Nail Health
Bone broth is rich in collagen, a vital protein that supports the structure and health of your hair, skin, and nails. Collagen, along with amino acids like proline and glycine, helps boost skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, and promote hydration, giving your skin a more youthful glow. Additionally, the nutrients in bone broth strengthen hair follicles, reduce breakage, and encourage nail growth, resulting in healthier, more resilient hair and nails over time.
Enhances Immune Function
Bone broth is rich in collagen, gelatin, and amino acids, which help support the gut lining and promote a healthy immune system. The nutrients in bone broth, such as minerals and amino acids like proline and glycine, aid in reducing inflammation and enhancing immune function. Regular consumption of bone broth can help strengthen your body's natural defenses, keeping you better equipped to fight off illness. If you're interested in learning more, check out this blog on bone broth and immune health.
One of our favorite flavors for supporting immune health is our Lemon & Garlic Bone Broth, thanks to its infusion of vitamin C-rich lemons and radishes as well as garlic, an immune superfood. This broth is so flavorful that it's a great solo sip or chicken noodle soup addition if you're feeling under the weather, but it is also perfect for daily use to keep the sniffles at bay.
Aids in Weight Management & Metabolism
Bone broth is a good source of glutamine, a conditionally essential amino acid (amino acids are the building blocks of protein) necessary for gut and whole body health. In studies, glutamine was found to reduce the level of Firmicutes, a gut bacteria linked to obesity, and aid in weight loss.
High in protein, bone broth also promotes feelings of satiety, keeping those snack cravings at bay. Drinking bone broth can be a great way to increase your protein and decrease your calorie intake, both of which can be helpful for weight loss.
Improves Sleep & Brain Function
The amino acids in bone broth, particularly glycine, can help improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation and enhancing deep, restful sleep. In the case of sleep, glycine not only promotes relaxation but also improves the overall sleep experience—everything from falling asleep faster to waking up less frequently and maintaining a deeper sleep. Pretty impressive!
Drinking a cup of bone broth with dinner or before bed, like FOND's Sleep Tonic, which combines bone broth with calming ingredients like chamomile, lavender, and lemongrass, may be a natural way to enhance relaxation and support better sleep. Plus, participants in one study also reported less daytime sleepiness (goodbye, afternoon slump!) and improved memory and overall mental function.
For the full recipe and more details on how it supports your sleep, check out this Sleep Tonic Recipe.
How to Use Bone Broth in Your Daily Routine
- Sip it like a warm drink
- Use it as a base for soups and stews
- Cook rice, quinoa, or pasta in bone broth instead of water for extra nutrients
- Use it to make sauces or deglaze your pan
- Use it in a cocktail or mocktail
- Blend into smoothies
Frequently Asked Questions about Bone Broth
How Often Should You Drink Bone Broth?
For best results we do suggest drinking bone broth every day, but at minimum, we recommend three or more times per week. If you have specific goals, like building muscle or improving joint pain, you may want to drink more broth. Read here to see just how much.
Is Bone Broth Good for Fasting?
Bone broth is an excellent choice during fasting as it provides essential nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants, helping to keep energy levels up and hydration intact. Unlike water or tea fasts, bone broth fasting supports digestion, reduces inflammation, and helps maintain focus and clarity throughout the fast. Read more about why bone broth is great for fasting here.
Can bone broth be substituted for chicken broth?
The answer is yes! Bone broth can replace chicken broth in all recipes, offering richer flavor and more health benefits. While chicken broth provides a lighter taste, bone broth adds a deeper, more nutrient-dense option to soups, stews, and sauces. And our infused varieties play so nicely in recipes too. Need some ideas on how to incorporate bone broth into your meals? Check out our recipes for inspiration!
What are the benefits of bone broth vs. collagen peptides?
Bone broth is a superfood for your wellness, offering more than just collagen. Packed with amino acids, minerals, and electrolytes, it supports gut health, boosts the immune system, and aids in joint function—something collagen peptides alone can’t do. While collagen peptides are great for hair, skin, and nails, bone broth provides a rich, nutrient-dense option that nourishes your body from the inside out. Plus, its long simmering process helps extract all those benefits, making it a delicious, all-in-one superfood for your health.
How Long Does Bone Broth Last in the Fridge?
When left unopened, FOND's broths are shelf-stable for 2+ years from the date of manufacture. They only need to be refrigerated after you've opened them. Once you open a jar, the leftovers will be good for 4-7 days in the refrigerator.
If you don't think you'll use the extra in that time, you can easily freeze the remaining broth in an ice cube tray.
With FOND, you can have weeks of bone broth at your fingertips whenever the craving or culinary inspiration strikes!
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