Written by Steve Theunissen | ISSA: CPT & Fitness Nutrition
Fact checked by Robert Iafelice, MS, RD, LDN
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Bone broth has long been regarded as a valuable health supplement. It is rich in minerals, collagen, and vitamins which are essential for maintaining healthy skin, joints, and bones.
Making bone broth at home can be a huge time-sink and impractical for many people. Fortunately, you can purchase a bone broth supplement, which offers a simple and practical method to enjoy the health benefits of bone broth without the hassle of cooking.
Given the huge range of options on the market, choosing the best bone broth supplement for you can be challenging. In this article, we highlight and review the seven best bone broth supplements out there right now. We'll also delve into the research-backed benefits of taking bone broth and provide a comprehensive buyer's guide.
7 Best Bone Broths
- Overall Best: FOND Certified Organic Chicken Bone Broth
- Powder Form: Vital Proteins Bone Broth Collagen
- For Weight Loss: Giant Sports Bone Broth + Greens
- For Gut Health: Kettle & Fire Ginger Turmeric Bone Broth
- Chicken Bone Broth: Dr.Kellyanne Roasted Chicken Bone Broth
- Beef Bone Broth: Epic Bone Broth
- Frozen Bone Broth: Bonafide Provisions Organic Chicken Bone Broth
SFS Pick
FOND
SFS Powder Pick
Vital Proteins
SFS Weight Loss Pick
Giant Sports
1. Overall Best Bone Broth: FOND Certified Organic Chicken Bone Broth
FOND Certified Organic Chicken Bone Broth is available in a huge range of flavors. You can choose from ten different types of chicken broth and three types of beef bone broth. Based on the more than 3000 5-star reviews, they all taste great. Each jar is packed with nutrient-rich vegetables and medicinal herbs. The bones are sourced from grass-fed beef and free-range chickens.
Each one-cup serving of FOND Certified Organic Chicken Bone Broth provides you with three calories, eight grams of protein, and 636 mg of sodium. The bones are slow-simmered for at least 18 hours before being infused with organic herbs. Each batch is also tested for heavy metals.
This is one of the most expensive bone broth supplements we came across, with a per-serving cost of around 85 cents.
Pros
- Lots of great-tasting flavors
- Slow-cooked for 18+ hours
- Only three calories per serving
Cons
- High in sodium
- Expensive
Turmeric, fresh thyme, and black pepper combine to make this bone broth loved for its strong earthy and sweet flavor. Slow-simmered and infused like tea for a delicious, collagen-rich...
2. Best Bone Broth Powder: Vital Proteins Bone Broth Collagen
Vital Proteins Bone Broth Collagen Healthy Proteins is a powdered supplement with excellent shelf stability. This is an ideal form to include in recipes or your protein shake. The powder creates a smooth, easy-to-drink consistency when combined with water or another beverage.
Grass-fed cattle are the source of the beef bones used to make this bone broth, giving you access to collagen types 1 and 3, as well as chondroitin, glucosamine, and hyaluronic acid. Each serving has 40 calories, 70 mg of sodium, and 9 grams of protein. The low sodium count makes this a good choice for people who are on a weight-loss diet.
Pros
- Powder mixes well
- 9 grams of protein
- Low in sodium
Cons
- Can be tricky to get a consistent dosage with powder
Vital Proteins Bone Broth Collagen are sourced from either grass-fed, pasture raised, bovine hide beef, or cage-free chickens to ensure a natural, high quality and sustainable source of this ancient nutrient...
3. Best Bone Broth For Weight Loss: Giant Sports Bone Broth + Greens
Giant Sports Bone Broth + Greens is a tasty savory bone broth soup powder. Every serving provides you with a complete serving of organic greens. These include kale, broccoli, and spinach. You also get 12g of pure hydrolyzed collagen peptides, including all nine amino acids.
There are only 50 calories in this product, making it a good option for people who are on a weight-loss diet. Many people take this product as part of an intermittent fasting diet. It should be noted, however, that this product does not actually contain any bone broth. Instead, you get hydrolyzed collagen peptides from grass-fed beef sources.
Pros
- 12 grams of collagen peptides
- Low in calories
- Complete serving of organic greens
Cons
- Does not actually contain bone broth
The savory, natural chicken and veggie flavor of Bone Broth Plus Greens can be enjoyed as a satisfying cup of chicken broth soup or even as a stock to be used in your favorite recipes...
4. Best Bone Broth For Gut Health: Kettle & Fire Ginger Turmeric Bone Broth
Kettle & Fire Ginger Turmeric Bone Broth contains 11 grams of protein per serving. You also get 50 calories, six grams of collagen, one gram of carbs, and 490 mg of sodium. This chicken bone broth is keto, paleo, and whole-30 approved, as well as being gluten-free. In addition to free-range chicken bones, you also get organic ginger root, organic turmeric root, organic coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, organic herbs and vegetables, and filtered water.
Kettle & Fire Ginger Turmeric Bone Broth is slowly simmered for 14 hours to allow all of the nutrients in the bones to seep into the liquid before the other ingredients are added. The supplement is provided in single-serve packs and sold as a 16.9 0z three-pack.
Pros
- 11 grams of protein per serving
- Contains apple cider vinegar
- Single-serve packs
Cons
- Quite expensive
Enjoy this bone broth soup with collagen to support youthful skin, promote a healthy gut, boost the immune system, and improve joint health...
5. Best Chicken Bone Broth: Dr.Kellyanne Roasted Chicken Bone Broth
Dr.Kellyanne Roasted Chicken Bone Broth is simmered for 20+ hours to eke out every ounce of nutritional goodness from the free-range chicken bones that it sources from. This is one of the best-tasting chicken bone broth supplements we have come across. You get a relatively high 15 grams of protein, 5.5 grams of collagen, zero sugars, and 503 mg of sodium per serving. Each package provides you with two servings, each one being 240 mL.
As well as chicken bones, Dr. Kellyanne Roasted Chicken Broth includes carrot, celery, onion, and garlic vegetable broth, along with parsley seed extract, bay extract, sea salt, and natural flavoring. It is available in 6, 10, and 20-pack options.
Pros
- High in protein content
- Slow simmered for 20+ hours
- 5.5 grams of collagen per serving
Cons
- Expensive
This delicious bone broth is made from 20+ hour slow-simmered chicken bones for a flavor-packed broth. Enjoy a cup of bone broth packed with 15 grams of protein and...
6. Best Beef Bone Broth: Epic Bone Broth
Epic Bone Broth is made with traditional slow boiler cooking methods in small, homestyle batches. It is available in three flavors:
- Homestyle Savory Chicken
- Beef Jalapeño Sea Salt
- Turkey Cranberry Sage
As well as grass-fed, free-range chicken bones, the ingredients in Homestyle Savory Chicken, their top seller, include chicken feet, garlic, carrots, celery, onions, and apple cider vinegar, in addition to organic, barn-free chicken bones. Many reviewers note that they love to add Epic Homestyle Savory Chicken Bone Broth to stews and soups. We can confidently say that we love the chicken flavor and beef flavor equally.
You get 15 grams of protein, 2 grams of carbs, 320 milligrams of potassium, and 60 calories from each meal. There are 600 mg of sodium per serving, which is quite high.
Pros
- Traditional slow boiler cooked
- Three great flavors
- Great for stews and soups
Cons
- High in sodium
Every jar of this beef jalapeno bone broth begins with grass-fed beef bones; slow cooked, bottled fresh, and never exposed to extreme heat; the result is a wholesome and delicious sipping broth...
7. Best Frozen Bone Broth: Bonafide Provisions Organic Chicken Bone Broth
Bonafide Provisions offers a delicious USDA organic and gluten-free chicken bone broth. It contains type 2 collagen, which is beneficial for your connective tissues. The chicken bones in this soup were cooked slowly for up to 24 hours to produce a fantastic-tasting broth. Filtered water, sea salt, garlic, parsley, apple cider vinegar, and onion were then added afterward.
Bonafide Provisions Organic Chicken Bone Broth comes frozen and needs to stay frozen until used. No stabilizers or additives have been added to make it shelf-stable. Although it can be stored in your freezer for up to 12 months, it must be eaten within seven days after opening. Once it's opened and sealed, keep it in your refrigerator.
Pros
- Type 2 Collagen
- No stabilizers or additives
- Slow-cooked for up to 24 hours
Cons
- Must be used within seven days after opening
Bonafide Provisions is the only bone broth to be crafted by a clinical nutritionist & a chef and to stay committed to making bone broth the traditional way, using only free-range...
What is Bone broth?
The bones and connective tissues of beef or chicken are simmered in water with vegetables, herbs, and other seasonings for between 12–24 hours to create bone broth, a nutrient-rich broth. The outcome is a savory, aromatic liquid that is loaded with vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and potassium, as well as collagen and gelatin.
The bones and connective tissue are slowly simmered to extract these nutrients, creating a broth that is especially rich in substances that are good for the health of your bones, joints, and skin. Gelatin and collagen, for instance, are crucial proteins that provide structure and stability to bones and joints, while amino acids like glycine and proline help to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Bone broth can be used as a stand-alone beverage, as the foundation for soups and stews, or as an ingredient in recipes. Bone broth supplements are available in powdered or capsule form, making it even easier to include them in a balanced diet.
Benefits of Bone Broth:
Bone broth has been used for thousands of years to promote optimum health. Over the last decade, there has been quite a lot of study into its benefits. Here are four of those key benefits as identified by the research.
1. May support joint health
Due to its high collagen and gelatin content, bone broth has the potential to promote joint health. Collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body, is essential for the development of joint cartilage. The body can use the collagen's amino acids to repair and preserve joint cartilage when we consume collagen-rich bone broth. This may help to lessen inflammation and increase joint mobility.
For a look at standalone collagen supplements, check out our Best Collagen Supplements article.
Bone broth also contains a considerable amount of gelatin, which supports joint health. The amino acids glycine and proline are also found in abundance in gelatin, which is created when collagen breaks down. While proline plays a role in the body's creation of collagen and cartilage, glycine has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties that may help to reduce joint discomfort and stiffness.¹
2. Helps digestion
Digestion can benefit from bone broth in a number of ways. First of all, it contains a lot of gelatin, a protein created when collagen is broken down. By encouraging the formation of digestive fluids and enzymes, which aid in the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, gelatin can help to strengthen the gut lining and enhance digestion.
The amino acid glycine, which has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory effects in the gut, is another abundant component of bone broth. Bloating, gas, and discomfort are signs of intestinal inflammation, which can interfere with digestion. By reducing gut inflammation, bone broth consumption may improve overall digestive health.
Potassium and magnesium, two minerals and electrolytes found in bone broth can also help in balancing the gut's pH, which is crucial for good digestion. Bone broth's collagen and gelatin may also aid in soothing and healing the gut lining, which is good news for those who suffer from illnesses like leaky gut or irritable bowel syndromes.
Last but not least, glutamine, an amino acid crucial for preserving the integrity of the intestinal lining, is abundant in bone broth. According to research, glutamine can improve digestion and gut health by lowering oxidative stress and intestinal inflammation.²
If you're looking for other ways to support digestion, check out our article on the Best Digestive Enzymes.
3. May support immune function
The amino acids glycine and proline are necessary for the creation of immune cells and antibodies that assist in fighting against infections.
A healthy immune system also depends on minerals like zinc, magnesium, and calcium, all of which are present in bone broth. For instance, zinc, magnesium, and calcium are essential for the creation and operation of immune cells.
Bone broth can modulate the immune system by increasing levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA, and IgM. Immunoglobulins are a class of proteins that functions as antibodies to assist the body in fighting infections.³
For great options in immune support, check out our articles on the Best Zinc Supplements and Best Magnesium Supplements.
4. May help with inflammation
Bone broth may help to reduce inflammation because of the abundance of nutrients with anti-inflammatory qualities that it contains, including glycine and proline.
Glycine is a component in the synthesis of glutathione, an antioxidant that lowers oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. Glycine has also been demonstrated to prevent the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are proteins that cause inflammation in the body.
Collagen, a structural protein that can assist in lowering inflammation in the body, is produced in part by proline. By lowering the production of pro-inflammatory factors, collagen has been proven to have anti-inflammatory properties.
The gelatin in bone broth may also reduce bodily inflammation. Gelatin has been shown to include amino acids that have been proven to have anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, it may help reduce gastrointestinal inflammation.⁴
Side effects of bone broth
Most people tolerate bone broth well, and it is generally regarded as safe. However, there are certain possible adverse effects that you should be aware of.
Bone broth contains a lot of histamines, which are chemicals that can make certain people react allergically. Consuming bone broth may result in symptoms like hives, itching, or breathing difficulties if you have a histamine allergy or intolerance.
Bone broth may also have high sodium levels, which may be problematic for those who have heart problems or high blood pressure. It's crucial to be mindful of the salt content of bone broth if you're on a low-sodium diet and to use it sparingly.
Some people may experience digestive or gut issues when they take bone broth. These may include gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.
What to look for when buying bone broth:
There are a few things you should check for when buying bone broth to make sure you're getting a quality product. Here are several key considerations:
1. Ingredients
Read the label to find out what kind of bones were used to produce the bone broth supplement. The best bones to use are those from grass-fed, pasture-raised beef or free-range poultry since they are less likely to be contaminated with antibiotics, hormones, or other pollutants.
Look for bone broth supplements with additional healthy ingredients like collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, or hyaluronic acid. These compounds can support healthy joints and enhance the condition of your skin, hair, and nails.
Avoid bone broth supplements that contain artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, as well as other additives and fillers.
2. Flavor
It's important to buy a flavorful bone broth that has a taste that you enjoy. While some people enjoy a mild flavor, others favor a stronger, savory flavor.
Some bone broth supplements may include fillers or additives that change the flavor. Avoid supplements that contain artificial sweeteners, and look for those that are created with high-quality, natural components.
Liquid bone broth supplements are often tastier than powdered or pill supplements.
3. Simmer Time
For best results, choose a bone broth supplement that has been simmered for at least 12 to 24 hours. This allows for maximum extraction of nutrients from the bones and connective tissue, producing a more nutrient-rich supplement.
4. Price
The price of the bone broth supplement can vary depending on the quality of the ingredients. Look for supplements that contain high-quality, organic components, such as organically grown vegetables and herbs and bones that have been raised on pasture and grass. These ingredients can cost more than those that are farmed traditionally, but they are also healthier and don't contain dangerous toxins.
The price of the bone broth supplement may vary depending on how it is made. The cost of supplements that are prepared with a slow-cooking approach is often higher than that of supplements prepared quickly. However, slow cooking helps to extract the most nutrients possible from the bones and connective tissue, producing a supplement that is more nutrient-dense.
5. Reviews
User reviews can give you a better sense of the quality of the bone broth supplement. Reviews can reveal details on the supplement's flavor, consistency, and smell, as well as the ease of digestion.
Reviews can also inform you about potential side effects of the bone broth supplement, such as stomach problems or allergic reactions that customers may have had.
Bone Broth FAQs
What are the benefits of drinking bone broth?
The many benefits of bone broth include enhanced bone and joint health. It is rich in such minerals as magnesium, calcium, and potassium, as well as the collagen and gelatin. These compounds enhance skin health and digestion and support immune function. They may also reduce inflammation in the body.
Is it ok to drink bone broth every day?
It's normally safe for most people to drink bone broth every day. However, you should also be aware of the hazards of overconsumption, including high sodium intake and the risk of heavy metals and pollutants.
What does the Mayo Clinic say about bone broth?
According to the Mayo Clinic, bone broth is full of health-giving vitamins and minerals. They note, however, that it's vital to take it in moderation because excessive consumption might result in high sodium levels and other possible health hazards.
When it comes to claims that bone broth can treat leaky gut syndrome, enhance joint health, or aid in weight loss, the Mayo Clinic cautions that there is little scientific data to back these claims up.
What happens when you drink bone broth every morning?
Drinking bone broth every morning will infuse your body with high-quality amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that will enhance joint and skin health, boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and improve digestion.
Summary
Bone broth is a supplement that is packed with health-giving nutrients to promote optimal health. Taking it on a daily basis will improve your joint, skin, and digestive health while also making you less prone to bugs and viruses. The best bone broth supplement on today's market, according to our research, is FOND Certified Chicken Organic Bone Broth, which is slow-simmered for 18+ hours, made from organic pasture-raised chicken, and infused with fresh organic herbs.
Turmeric, fresh thyme, and black pepper combine to make this bone broth loved for its strong earthy and sweet flavor. Slow-simmered and infused like tea for a delicious, collagen-rich...
Interested in other ways to get your daily dose of nutrients? Check out our articles on the Best Multivitamins for Men and the Best Greens Powders.
References
- Razak, Meerza Abdul, et al. “Multifarious Beneficial Effect of Nonessential Amino Acid, Glycine: A Review.” Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, vol. 2017, 2017, pp. 1–8, https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/1716701.
- Krishna Rao, Radha. “Role of Glutamine in Protection of Intestinal Epithelial Tight Junctions.” Journal of Epithelial Biology and Pharmacology, vol. 5, no. 1, 16 Jan. 2012, pp. 47–54, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4369670/, https://doi.org/10.2174/1875044301205010047.
- Zhang, Jianshu, et al. Immunomodulatory Effects of Chicken Broth and Histidine Dipeptides on the Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression Mouse Model. Vol. 14, no. 21, 25 Oct. 2022, pp. 4491–4491, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9659005/, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14214491. Accessed 18 May 2023.
- Hawkins JL, Durham PL. Enriched Chicken Bone Broth as a Dietary Supplement Reduces Nociception and Sensitization Associated with Prolonged Jaw Opening. J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2018 Mar 6;32(2):208–215. doi: 10.11607/ofph.1971. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 29509826; PMCID: PMC7001769.
Steve Theunissen
Author