Do you remember being ill as a child and being given a soothing bowl of hot chicken soup to help you feel better? Sick or not, most Malaysians would have grown up drinking Grandma’s homemade soup that often would have more bone in it than meat.
The recipe would almost always be the same: hot water, bone, vegetables – usually cabbage or carrot – and a variety of herbs and spices, left on the stove to bubble away for hours. Sometimes, it would be kept overnight and reboiled the next day – only to taste so much better!
This time-honoured meal is, in effect, a type of bone broth, where animal bones are cooked in liquid for hours to extract all the goodness out of the marrow. Used to make soups, gravies, stews and sauces, bone broth has a multitude of health benefits, in addition to tasting absolutely delicious!
Bone broth contains nutrients that are important for the human body and promote wellness in various ways. Here are some of the benefits of consuming this hearty elixir.
- Healing and wellbeing
The bones and connective tissue in bone broth are solid sources of type II collagen, which helps maintain the smoothness and suppleness of your skin while keeping your teeth and bones strong and healthy.
Bone broth is also chock-full of all kinds of anti-inflammatory amino acids and minerals that aid the body in natural healing, helping you recover from injuries, scratches, arthritis and more at a much quicker rate.
In Chinese culture, bone broth is popular as a digestive tonic. It helps improve chronic digestive conditions such as leaky gut syndrome, which affects the lining of the intestines.
This condition has no symptoms in the early stages but affects almost 70% of the population. To combat this, the collagen from bone broth helps seal holes and repair tears. It restores the strength of the gut lining, and helps with the growth of good bacteria.
- Joint healing
Bone broth contains amino acids, hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, chondroitin, calcium and magnesium. These nutrients reduce joint pain and inflammation, making bones and muscles stronger.
As people age, their joints experience wear and tear, and bodies become less flexible. Bones lose cartilage and scrape against each other, which causes a considerable amount of pain, especially for older folks.
The collagen and nutrients in bone broth help lessen the pressure on ageing joints and ease bodily aches.
For pregnant mothers, bone broth should be a staple as your growing child will also reap the benefits from your consuming it. Baby can be assured of healthier bones and joints, and a stronger digestive system.
- Broth and beauty
Collagen plays a big part in the beauty industry. It forms elastin and helps maintain the skin’s youthful tone and texture, reducing signs of ageing and puffiness.
As you drink more bone broth, you will see visible improvements in your hair and nails as collagen helps strengthen them and increase growth.
Not to mention, the price of one jar of face cream alone could probably buy you a month’s worth of meaty bones!
- Ta-ta, toxins
Bone broth is considered a powerful detoxifying agent that helps the digestive system get rid of waste, improve use of antioxidants, and maintain tissue integrity. Regularly drinking broth can boost the immune system and even help in overcoming food allergies.
When consumed alongside veggies, garlic and herbs, bone broth can supply your body with a good dose of sulphur and glutathione – components that lower oxidative stress.
This, in turn, helps the body get rid of fat-soluble compounds and metals such as mercury and lead.
- Sounder sleep
Most people don’t get the required average of eight hours of sleep a day, but here’s a solution: drinking bone broth for dinner can improve sleep quality and reduce daytime drowsiness.
The glycine in bone broth will work on the body’s central nervous system to relax your muscles, providing you with restful slumber. Goodbye, sleepless nights!
Check back in tomorrow to find out how to make this wonderful, natural concoction right on your own stovetop.
This article was written by Emma Elizabeth Sim for butterkicap.com.
Butterkicap is a food and culture platform and community that enables anyone to experience Malaysia through stories of its people, food and places.