Vitamins & Supplements · Collagen food source
Bone Broth
Simmered animal bones · also called Bone stock, caldo de huesos
Bone broth is a liquid made by simmering animal bones in water. It is often promoted for collagen, gut, joint and skin benefits. A standard home recipe had fewer collagen amino acids than a reference collagen supplement in one lab study, and no human trial of health outcomes was found. Lead and salt depend on the product.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Bone Broth
Bone broth is a food, not a standard product. Its collagen-type amino acids vary a lot, and a standard recipe had fewer than a reference collagen supplement. Health claims for joints, skin and gut are not supported by human trials. Lead and salt depend on the product.
What bone broth is
Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones in water, sometimes for many hours. Studies read used chicken and cattle bones, and one compared several animal species.
It is sold as a home recipe, a cafe drink, a bought liquid and in enriched products. A 2025 review calls it a traditional remedy, and a 2013 paper notes it is recommended in some diet plans.
Food, not a pill
The main food source is the broth itself. How much of each amino acid or mineral you get depends on the bones, the water, the cooking time and the brand. USDA amounts per cup were not read for this page, so none are stated.
In lab work, calcium and magnesium in home-made or bought broth were under 5% of daily recommended levels per serving. Cooking over 8 hours and more acidic water released more of both. Collagen supplement trials tested processed peptides, so their results do not carry over to broth. The collagen supplement page covers those trials, and the food page covers bone broth as a food.
What the research shows
No human trial of bone broth for joints, skin, bone, hair or gut was found. A PubMed search on 2026-10-26 gave 27 records, none of them such a trial.
A 2019 lab study found a standard-recipe broth had significantly less hydroxyproline, glycine and proline than a 20 g reference collagen supplement, and other broths varied widely. A small study in men gave dairy, collagen and a 300 mL serve of bone broth, but the abstract does not report the broth result alone.
Gut and bone ideas come from a 2025 review of single nutrients and from mice and rats. They are not shown in people.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Traditional remedy food in many cultures, as described by a 2025 review
- Recommended in some diet plans such as GAPS and the paleolithic diet
Studied for research
- Collagen amino acids: lab content lower than a collagen supplement (evidence against)
- Blood amino acids: insufficient evidence
- Gut barrier: very low certainty (component and mouse studies)
- Bone loss, joints, skin, hair and pain: insufficient evidence (rat work only or none)
- Minerals: small amounts per serving, low certainty
Main compounds
- Glycine, proline, hydroxyproline
- Calcium and magnesium
- Hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate
- Possible lead
Common forms
- Home-made broth
- Cafe-made broth
- Bought liquid broth
- Commercial enriched broth products
Research links: 2019 lab study: amino acids in bone broth vs collagen · 2025 review: bone broth nutrients and the gut barrier · 2013 study: lead in chicken broth · 2017 study: metals in animal bone broths · 2019 study: blood amino acids after dairy, collagen and bone broth · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Bone broth
- Common names
- Bone broth (English); Bone stock (English); Caldo de huesos (Spanish); Caldo de hueso (Spanish)
- Family or group
- Food made by simmering animal bones in water. Studies read used chicken and cattle bones, and one tested several animal species.
- Harvest and processing
- Made by simmering bones in water. In the studies read, cooking time (over 8 hours extracted more calcium and magnesium), acidity, bone type and animal species all changed what ended up in the broth.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Collagen peptides; Note: A processed protein ingredient; has its own page.; Name: Gelatin; Note: Cooked, partly broken collagen; has its own page.; Name: Bone broth as a food; Note: The functional-foods claims page covers the food side.
- Sustainability and conservation
- Not assessed.
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine | amino acids typical of collagen | Varies widely; amounts not given in the abstract. | Measured in broth; lower in standard-recipe broth than in 20 g of reference collagen supplement. 1 | Laboratory |
| Glutamine, glycine, proline, histidine, arginine | amino acids | Not read from a source. | Listed by a 2025 review as the most abundant amino acids in broth; linked there to gut barrier support. 7 | Review of animal and human studies |
| Calcium and magnesium | minerals | Bone Under 5% of daily recommended levels per serving in the products tested. | Released more with longer cooking and more acid. 5 | Laboratory |
| Hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate | cartilage-type sugar chains | Not given in the abstract. | Found in a chicken-vegetable broth fraction that slowed bone loss in rats. 9 | Animal research |
| Lead and cadmium | toxic metals | Bone Lead 9.5 and 7.01 ug/L in two chicken broths (2013); a few ug per serving (2017). | Contaminants that bones can hold. 8 5 | Laboratory |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release of amino acids from bone and connective tissue | Not applicable | Broth carries amino acids at levels that vary a lot by recipe; standard home recipe had less than a reference collagen supplement. 1 | Laboratory |
| Gut barrier support (proposed) | Not specified in the abstract | A review links broth components to gut barrier function. In mice, beef broth lowered inflammatory signals IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Not shown in people. 7 6 | Animal and review |
| Osteoclast (bone-resorbing cell) development (proposed) | Osteoclast marker genes | A broth fraction with hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate reduced osteoclast marker genes in cells and raised bone density in rats. 9 | Cell and animal |
| COX-2 activity | COX-2 | A commercial enriched chicken broth blocked COX-2 more than home-made broth in a lab test. 4 | Laboratory |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Blood amino acids were measured after a 300 mL serve of bone broth in men, but the abstract gives no separate broth result.
- Distribution
- Not found.
- Metabolism
- Not found.
- Elimination
- Not found.
- Bioavailability
- Not compared for broth in the sources read.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
Bone broth is a whole food whose content depends on the recipe, while collagen peptides are a standardised processed protein. No trial comparing broth with collagen supplements for health outcomes was found; only the amino acid content and blood amino acid studies compare them.
Nutritional composition
No USDA or NIH amounts for bone broth, stock or canned broth were read for this page, so none are stated. In a lab study, calcium and magnesium in home-made or bought broth were under 5% of daily recommended levels per serving.
1 low certainty1 very low certainty4 not enough evidence1 evidence against
What was looked at
The 7 benefits and uses checked for Bone Broth, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.
- Collagen building blocks in brothEvidence against
- Amino acids in the blood after drinking brothNot enough evidence
- Gut lining and gut inflammation claimsVery low certainty
- Bone density and bone lossNot enough evidence
- Joints, skin and hairNot enough evidence
- Pain and inflammation signalsNot enough evidence
- Minerals in brothLow certainty
Lab markers tracked in the studies
Amino acids in broth (hydroxyproline, glycine, proline)Blood glycine peakCalcium and magnesium in brothBone mineral density in rats
What is Bone Broth good for?
The main questions people ask about bone broth and how strong the evidence is. No human trial of a health outcome was found, so most results come from lab analysis, mice and rats.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Collagen building blocks in broth
Evidence againstBone broth is often sold as a source of collagen. One lab study found that standard home-made broth had significantly less glycine, proline and hydroxyproline than a reference collagen supplement. Amounts varied widely between recipes and brands. The authors say broth is unlikely to be a consistently reliable source.
1 studiesBroth differs by recipe, bones, cooking time and brand. Studied amoun…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human trial was found. A 2019 laboratory study measured amino acids in commercial and lab-made broths and compared a standard recipe with 20 g of reference collagen supplement. Broth was lower in hydroxyproline, glycine and proline (p = .003) and in hydroxylysine, leucine and lysine (p = .004). Non-standard recipes varied a lot, with cafe-made broth highest. Bought broth was lower than self-made broth. Batches of the same recipe were alike.
Results
Broth made to a standard recipe gave less of the collagen-related amino acids than the reference collagen supplement, and other broths varied greatly.
Effect sizes as reported
Significantly lower than reference collagen (p = .003 and p = .004). Amounts are not given in the abstract.
Why this rating
One consistent lab analysis says broth is unlikely to be a reliable source of these amino acids. It is one study and it measures food content, not health results.
Form and dose studied
Broth differs by recipe, bones, cooking time and brand. Studied amounts are in the studies table. The 20 g was the study's reference amount, not advice.
Who was studied
Lab samples of commercial and lab-made broth.
Limits
One laboratory study. Number of products not in the abstract. Amino acid content is not the same as a health effect.
Why researchers looked
People want to know whether broth supplies the same amino acids as collagen products.
Traditional use
Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones in water. A 2025 review calls it a traditional remedy for many illnesses, and a 2013 paper notes it is recommended in some diet plans such as GAPS and the paleolithic diet.
Proposed mechanism Not established
Not established in people. Broth contains amino acids and minerals, but no study read shows that drinking it changes tissue.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No safety question here. See the Safety tab.
Amino acids in the blood after drinking broth
Not enough evidenceIn a small study in healthy active men, collagen proteins raised blood glycine more than dairy proteins did. The same study also gave bone broth, but the abstract does not report the broth result on its own, so no broth finding is stated here.
1 studiesBroth differs by recipe, bones, cooking time and brand. Studied amoun…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2019 study gave healthy, recreationally active men a 20 g serve of dairy or collagen protein, or a 300 mL serve of bone broth, and took blood every 20 minutes for 3 hours. Collagen proteins gave a glycine peak of 683 umol/L against 260 umol/L for dairy (P < 0.0001). Dairy gave a higher leucine peak. The abstract gives no separate result for broth.
Results
The broth result is not available from the abstract, so no effect of broth is stated.
Effect sizes as reported
Glycine peak 683 vs 260 umol/L, collagen proteins vs dairy.
Why this rating
For bone broth itself the result could not be read. Only the collagen-versus-dairy result is in the abstract.
Form and dose studied
Broth differs by recipe, bones, cooking time and brand. Studied amounts are in the studies table. The study used a 300 mL serve of bone broth.
Who was studied
Healthy, recreationally active men. Number not in the abstract.
Limits
Small study. Blood amino acids are a marker, not a benefit people can feel.
Why researchers looked
Researchers wanted to know which foods raise the blood amino acids that the body may use to make collagen.
Traditional use
Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones in water. A 2025 review calls it a traditional remedy for many illnesses, and a 2013 paper notes it is recommended in some diet plans such as GAPS and the paleolithic diet.
Proposed mechanism Not established
Not established in people. Broth contains amino acids and minerals, but no study read shows that drinking it changes tissue.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No safety issue reported in the abstract.
Gut lining and gut inflammation claims
Very low certaintyA 2025 review argues that nutrients found in bone broth, such as glutamine and glycine, support the gut barrier. It looked at the separate nutrients, not at people drinking broth. In mice, beef bone broth given before chemically induced colitis lowered tissue damage and inflammatory signals. No human trial of bone broth for gut health was found.
2 studiesBroth differs by recipe, bones, cooking time and brand. Studied amoun…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human trial of bone broth for gut outcomes was found. The 2025 narrative review covers animal and human studies of single components and calls for more research. A 2021 mouse study gave beef bone broth for 10 days before inducing colitis, and found less tissue damage and lower IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha.
Results
Plausible idea, supported by component and mouse work. Not tested with broth in people.
Effect sizes as reported
Mouse study: IL-1 beta down 61.12%, IL-6 down 94.70%, TNF-alpha down 68.88%. No human effect sizes.
Why this rating
Mouse work and a narrative review of components. The review's own wording is strong, but it is not a trial of broth in people.
Form and dose studied
Broth differs by recipe, bones, cooking time and brand. Studied amounts are in the studies table. Mouse broth was made from cattle femur cooked 8 hours.
Who was studied
Mice with induced colitis; human data are for single nutrients.
Limits
Narrative review, not systematic. Broth was given before colitis began, so it does not show treatment of existing disease.
Why researchers looked
Bone broth has long been used as a gut-soothing food, so researchers looked at its components and at broth in animal models.
Traditional use
Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones in water. A 2025 review calls it a traditional remedy for many illnesses, and a 2013 paper notes it is recommended in some diet plans such as GAPS and the paleolithic diet.
Proposed mechanism Animal and component studies
Proposed, not shown in people. The review points to amino acids and minerals in broth acting on the gut barrier. The mouse study measured lower inflammatory signals in colon tissue.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not use broth in place of medical care for bowel disease.
Bone density and bone loss
Not enough evidenceOnly rat and cell work exists. A Japanese study found that a part of chicken-vegetable bone broth rich in hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate slowed bone loss in rats whose ovaries were removed. No human study of bone broth and bones was found.
1 studiesBroth differs by recipe, bones, cooking time and brand. Studied amoun…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human study was found. The 2024 study used mouse cells and ovariectomized rats and reported higher bone density and volume with whole broth or with the hyaluronan-chondroitin fraction. Amounts are not in the abstract.
Results
Rat result only. It cannot be applied to people.
Effect sizes as reported
Numbers not given in the abstract.
Why this rating
Animal and cell work only; no human data.
Form and dose studied
Broth differs by recipe, bones, cooking time and brand. Studied amounts are in the studies table.
Who was studied
Rats and mouse cells.
Limits
Amounts and length not in the abstract.
Why researchers looked
Broth is made from bones, so people ask whether it helps bones.
Traditional use
Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones in water. A 2025 review calls it a traditional remedy for many illnesses, and a 2013 paper notes it is recommended in some diet plans such as GAPS and the paleolithic diet.
Proposed mechanism Animal and cell study
Proposed in rats. The authors link the effect to hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate holding back bone-cell development.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
None reported.
Joints, skin and hair
Not enough evidenceNo trial of bone broth for joint pain, skin or hair was found. Results from collagen supplement trials cannot be carried over, because broth has different and less steady amounts of the amino acids.
1 studiesBroth differs by recipe, bones, cooking time and brand. Studied amoun…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A PubMed search for 'bone broth' in titles and abstracts (2026-10-26) found 27 records and none was a human trial of joints, skin or hair. The one lab study of amino acid content found broth lower than a reference collagen supplement. For collagen supplement trials, see the collagen page.
Results
No human evidence either way.
Why this rating
No human trial exists in what was found, so no judgement can be made.
Form and dose studied
Broth differs by recipe, bones, cooking time and brand. Studied amounts are in the studies table.
Limits
Absence of a study is not proof that it does not work.
Why researchers looked
Broth is often promoted for joints and skin because it contains collagen-related amino acids.
Traditional use
Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones in water. A 2025 review calls it a traditional remedy for many illnesses, and a 2013 paper notes it is recommended in some diet plans such as GAPS and the paleolithic diet.
Proposed mechanism Not established
Not established in people. Broth contains amino acids and minerals, but no study read shows that drinking it changes tissue.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
None.
Pain and inflammation signals
Not enough evidenceIn rats, a commercial enriched chicken bone broth, but not home-made broth, reduced pain-type responses linked to a jaw procedure. It also blocked an inflammation enzyme (COX-2) more than home-made broth in a lab test. No human study was found.
1 studiesBroth differs by recipe, bones, cooking time and brand. Studied amoun…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human study was found. A 2018 rat study tested a commercial enriched chicken broth and a home-made broth.
Results
Rat result for one commercial product. It does not stand for ordinary broth.
Effect sizes as reported
Not given in the abstract.
Why this rating
One rat study of one commercial product.
Form and dose studied
Broth differs by recipe, bones, cooking time and brand. Studied amounts are in the studies table.
Who was studied
Rats.
Limits
The home-made broth did not give the same effect, so results depend on the product.
Why researchers looked
Researchers tested broth as a food that might lower inflammation.
Traditional use
Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones in water. A 2025 review calls it a traditional remedy for many illnesses, and a 2013 paper notes it is recommended in some diet plans such as GAPS and the paleolithic diet.
Proposed mechanism Animal and lab study
Measured in a lab test and in rats; not shown in people.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
None reported.
Minerals in broth
Low certaintyA lab study found calcium and magnesium in home-made and bought broth to be below 5% of daily recommended levels per serving. More calcium and magnesium came out with longer cooking, more acid, certain bones and certain species.
2 studiesBroth differs by recipe, bones, cooking time and brand. Studied amoun…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human mineral trial was found. The 2017 Taiwanese lab study reported low amounts of calcium and magnesium per serving.
Results
Small amounts per serving in the products tested.
Effect sizes as reported
Ca and Mg extraction 17.4x and 15.3x higher at lower pH (p < 0.05).
Why this rating
One lab study of limited products; consistent with the low amounts reported.
Form and dose studied
Broth differs by recipe, bones, cooking time and brand. Studied amounts are in the studies table.
Who was studied
Lab broths and three bone-broth foods.
Limits
Number of products not in the abstract.
Why researchers looked
Bones hold minerals, so people ask whether broth is a mineral source.
Traditional use
Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones in water. A 2025 review calls it a traditional remedy for many illnesses, and a 2013 paper notes it is recommended in some diet plans such as GAPS and the paleolithic diet.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory analysis
Cooking in more acidic water and for over 8 hours released more calcium and magnesium in the lab.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
None reported.
Connections to the rest of health
How Bone Broth connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joint Support | Evidence against | Collagen building blocks in broth: Bone broth is often sold as a source of collagen. One lab study found that standard home-made broth had significantly less glycine, proline and hydroxyproline than a reference collagen supplement. Amounts varied widely between recipes and brands. The authors say broth is unlikely to be a consistently reliable source. | 1 | |
| Recovery Optimization | Not enough evidence | Amino acids in the blood after drinking broth: In a small study in healthy active men, collagen proteins raised blood glycine more than dairy proteins did. The same study also gave bone broth, but the abstract does not report the broth result on its own, so no broth finding is stated here. | 2 | |
| Gut Health | Very low certainty | Gut lining and gut inflammation claims: A 2025 review argues that nutrients found in bone broth, such as glutamine and glycine, support the gut barrier. It looked at the separate nutrients, not at people drinking broth. In mice, beef bone broth given before chemically induced colitis lowered tissue damage and inflammatory signals. No human trial of bone broth for gut health was found. | 7 6 | |
| Digestive Support | Very low certainty | Gut lining and gut inflammation claims: A 2025 review argues that nutrients found in bone broth, such as glutamine and glycine, support the gut barrier. It looked at the separate nutrients, not at people drinking broth. In mice, beef bone broth given before chemically induced colitis lowered tissue damage and inflammatory signals. No human trial of bone broth for gut health was found. | 7 6 | |
| Bone Health | Not enough evidence | Bone density and bone loss: Only rat and cell work exists. A Japanese study found that a part of chicken-vegetable bone broth rich in hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate slowed bone loss in rats whose ovaries were removed. No human study of bone broth and bones was found. | 9 | |
| Joint Support | Not enough evidence | Joints, skin and hair: No trial of bone broth for joint pain, skin or hair was found. Results from collagen supplement trials cannot be carried over, because broth has different and less steady amounts of the amino acids. | 1 | |
| Healthy Skin | Not enough evidence | Joints, skin and hair: No trial of bone broth for joint pain, skin or hair was found. Results from collagen supplement trials cannot be carried over, because broth has different and less steady amounts of the amino acids. | 1 | |
| Pain Relief | Not enough evidence | Pain and inflammation signals: In rats, a commercial enriched chicken bone broth, but not home-made broth, reduced pain-type responses linked to a jaw procedure. It also blocked an inflammation enzyme (COX-2) more than home-made broth in a lab test. No human study was found. | 4 | |
| Bone Health | Low certainty | Minerals in broth: A lab study found calcium and magnesium in home-made and bought broth to be below 5% of daily recommended levels per serving. More calcium and magnesium came out with longer cooking, more acid, certain bones and certain species. | 5 7 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bones Joints Muscles | Biological association | Evidence against | Studied for: Collagen building blocks in broth Studied for: Amino acids in the blood after drinking broth | 1 2 9 |
| Digestive System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Gut lining and gut inflammation claims | 7 6 |
| Musculoskeletal System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Bone density and bone loss Studied for: Pain and inflammation signals | 9 4 |
| Skin Hair Beauty | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Joints, skin and hair | 1 |
| Nutrition | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Minerals in broth | 5 7 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amino acids in broth (hydroxyproline, glycine, proline) | Biological association | Evidence against | Measured in trials: lower and more variable than a reference collagen supplement. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 1 |
| Blood glycine peak | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: higher after collagen proteins than dairy; broth result not in abstract. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 2 |
| Calcium and magnesium in broth | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: low amounts per serving. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 5 |
| Bone mineral density in rats | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: higher in treated rats. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 9 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine | Biological association | Laboratory | Measured in broth; lower in standard-recipe broth than in 20 g of reference collagen supplement. | 1 |
| Glutamine, glycine, proline, histidine, arginine | Biological association | Review of animal and human studies | Listed by a 2025 review as the most abundant amino acids in broth; linked there to gut barrier support. | 7 |
| Calcium and magnesium | Biological association | Laboratory | Released more with longer cooking and more acid. Preparation or compound: Bone |
5 |
| Hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate | Biological association | Animal | Found in a chicken-vegetable broth fraction that slowed bone loss in rats. | 9 |
| Lead and cadmium | Biological association | Laboratory | Contaminants that bones can hold. Preparation or compound: Bone |
8 5 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 26, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what the research found for 7 outcomes
Each outcome below is one thing researchers measured. Certainty is how far the evidence can be trusted, not how well it works. The full studies are on the next tab.
The evidence
The research centre for Bone Broth. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our existing bone broth summary, then re-read PubMed abstracts for every study cited and checked the NHS salt page. Only abstracts were read. Official fact sheets from NIH ODS were not read and are marked unverified.
Study library: every study we checked 10
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcock 2019 Bone Broth Unlikely to Provide Reliable Concentrations of Collagen Precursors Compared With Supplemental Sources of Collagen Used in Collagen Research. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 29893587 · DOI |
Laboratory analysis food/laboratory |
Commercial and laboratory-prepared bone broths, made with standard and non-standard recipes | Bone broth (commercial and lab-made) Food or lab sample · vs Reference collagen supplements |
Broth made to a standard recipe had significantly less hydroxyproline, glycine and proline (p = .003) and hydroxylysine, leucine and lysine (p = .004) than 20 g of reference collagen supplement. Broth made without a set recipe varied a lot, with the most in cafe-prepared broth. Among standard recipes, bought broth had less than self-made broth. Batches of the same standard recipe did not differ. The authors say broth is unlikely to be a consistently reliable source of these amino acids. Significantly lower than reference collagen (p = .003 and p = .004); amounts not given in the abstract (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Amino acids: glycine, lysine, proline, leucine, hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine Limitations: Measured amino acids in the food, not health results in people. Sample numbers not in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: No funding or conflict statement in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Alcock 2019 Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations After the Ingestion of Dairy and Collagen Proteins, in Healthy Active Males. Front Nutr · PMID 31681789 · DOI |
Controlled intake study |
Healthy, recreationally active men after an overnight fast | Dairy proteins, collagen proteins and bone broth Food or lab sample 20 g serves of dairy and collagen proteins and a 300 mL serve of bone broth (as studied) Blood drawn every 20 min for 180 min · vs Different protein sources compared with each other |
Collagen proteins gave a higher glycine peak (683 +/- 166 umol/L) than dairy proteins (260 +/- 65 umol/L, P < 0.0001). Dairy proteins gave a higher leucine peak (267 +/- 77 versus 189 umol/L, P < 0.04). The abstract does not give a separate result for the bone broth. Glycine peak 683 vs 260 umol/L (collagen vs dairy) (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Blood amino acid peaks and total exposure Limitations: Number of men and the bone broth result are not in the abstract. Blood amino acids are not a health outcome. Funding and conflicts: No funding or conflict statement in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Chandler 2024 Bone broth ingestion and acute kidney injury following kidney transplant: a role for cystatin C. BMJ Case Rep · PMID 38388200 · DOI |
Case report |
1 A person with a kidney transplant |
Bone broth ingestion (as in the title) Food or lab sample |
The abstract says the case shows why kidney graft function should be measured with both creatinine and cystatin C. It does not say what role the broth played. Not applicable (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Kidney function measured by creatinine and cystatin C Limitations: Single case. The abstract does not explain how the broth was involved, so no conclusion about broth is drawn. Funding and conflicts: No funding or conflict statement in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Hawkins 2018 Enriched Chicken Bone Broth as a Dietary Supplement Reduces Nociception and Sensitization Associated with Prolonged Jaw Opening. J Oral Facial Pain Headache · PMID 29509826 · DOI |
Animal study rat |
Male rats with jaw pain caused by prolonged jaw opening | A commercial enriched chicken bone broth product and a home-made broth Food or lab sample Added to the rats' diet (amount not in the abstract) 2 weeks before the jaw procedure · vs Rats not given the product; home-made broth |
In a lab test the commercial enriched broth blocked COX-2 activity more than home-made broth. In rats, the enriched commercial broth, but not the home-made broth, reduced pain-type responses and PKA levels. This is rat work only. Not given in the abstract (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Pain-type responses to touch, a pain-related protein (PKA), COX-2 activity in a lab test Limitations: Rats, not people. A commercial enriched product, so it does not stand for ordinary broth. Funding from the US NIH (dental research institute). Funding and conflicts: US NIH (NIDCR) grant listed. Read: abstract |
| Hsu 2017 Essential and toxic metals in animal bone broths. Food Nutr Res · PMID 28804437 · DOI |
Laboratory analysis food/laboratory |
Broths made in controlled experiments plus three types of bone-broth-based foods | Animal bone broths (cooking time, acidity, bone type and species varied) Food or lab sample Cooking times up to more than 8 hours · vs Different cooking conditions |
Lowering broth pH from 8.38 to 5.32 raised calcium and magnesium extraction 17.4-fold and 15.3-fold. Cooking over 8 hours extracted more calcium and magnesium. Leg and rib bones differed. Differences between animal species were larger than differences within a species. Calcium and magnesium in home-made or bought broth or soup were below 5% of daily recommended levels per serving. Lead and cadmium were in the range of a few micrograms per serving, and the authors judged the risk minimal. Ca and Mg extraction up 17.4x and 15.3x at lower pH (p < 0.05) (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Calcium, magnesium and other metals released into broth; lead and cadmium Limitations: Small laboratory study; number of products not in the abstract; not a market survey. Funding and conflicts: No funding or conflict statement in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Mar-Solis 2021 Analysis of the Anti-Inflammatory Capacity of Bone Broth in a Murine Model of Ulcerative Colitis. Medicina (Kaunas) · PMID 34833355 · DOI |
Animal study mouse |
BALB/c mice with colitis induced by chemicals | Beef bone broth made from cattle femur, cooked 8 hours in distilled water Food or lab sample Given freely to mice for 10 days before colitis was induced (as studied) 10 days before colitis · vs Mice not given broth |
Amino acids were the main nutrient in the broth, and 54.56% of them were essential amino acids. Mice given broth before colitis had less tissue damage and lower IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha signals, and higher IL-4 and IL-10 signals. This is mouse work only. IL-1 beta down 61.12%, IL-6 down 94.70%, TNF-alpha down 68.88% (mouse tissue) (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Colon damage under the microscope and inflammatory signals Limitations: Mice, not people. Broth was given before the colitis was started, so it does not show treatment of existing colitis. Funding and conflicts: No funding or conflict statement in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Matar 2025 Bone Broth Benefits: How Its Nutrients Fortify Gut Barrier in Health and Disease. Dig Dis Sci · PMID 40180691 · DOI |
Narrative review human, animal and lab (components) |
Review of animal and human studies of nutrients found in bone broth | Bone broth components: amino acids (glutamine, glycine, proline, histidine, arginine) and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc) Food or lab sample |
The review says these components support gut health and the gut barrier, and may help keep inflammatory bowel disease in remission. It aims to encourage more research. The abstract describes studies of the separate nutrients, not a trial of bone broth itself. Not applicable (narrative review) (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Gut barrier, gut permeability, inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease Limitations: Narrative review, not a systematic one. Abstract does not describe how studies were chosen. Evidence is about components, not bone broth drunk by people. Funding and conflicts: No funding or conflict statement in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Monro 2013 The risk of lead contamination in bone broth diets. Med Hypotheses · PMID 23375414 · DOI |
Laboratory analysis food/laboratory |
3 Three types of organic chicken broth |
Organic chicken broths Food or lab sample · vs Tap water treated the same way |
Skin-and-cartilage broth and chicken-bone broth had lead of 9.5 and 7.01 ug per litre, compared with 0.89 ug per litre for treated tap water. The authors recommend that doctors and nutritionists consider lead when advising bone broth diets. 9.5 and 7.01 vs 0.89 ug/L (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Lead concentration Limitations: Described as a small, blinded, controlled test of three broths. A hypothesis paper, not a regulator finding. Health effects were not measured. Funding and conflicts: No funding or conflict statement in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Seki 2024 Hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate in chicken-vegetable bone broth delay osteoporosis progression. J Food Sci · PMID 38317402 · DOI |
Animal and cell study rat and cell |
Mouse cells and rats whose ovaries were removed to mimic bone loss | Chicken-vegetable bone broth and a fraction of it rich in hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate Food or lab sample Given to rats (amount not in the abstract) · vs Rats given control diet |
A broth fraction holding hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate held back bone-cell development in the lab. Rats given the whole broth or that fraction had higher bone mineral density and bone volume than control rats after ovary removal. This is cell and rat work only. Higher bone density and volume in treated rats; numbers not in the abstract (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Bone-cell activity, bone mineral density and bone volume on micro-CT scans Limitations: Cells and rats, not people. Amounts and duration not in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Read: abstract |
| Zhang 2024 Enhancing saltiness perception in bone broth: the additive effect of oil and optimization of sodium-reduction formula for consumer acceptability. J Sci Food Agric · PMID 38445510 · DOI |
Sensory food science study human (taste panels) |
Tasting panels rating bone broth samples | Bone broth with different salt and oil levels Food or lab sample Samples with 0.14% to 0.36% NaCl (as tested) · vs Samples with salt only |
The paper opens by saying excess NaCl in soups, hot pot bases and sauces is a high health risk. Adding sunflower oil let the salt in broth be cut by 20% (to 0.36% NaCl) without losing acceptance. It measured taste, not health. 20% less NaCl with better acceptance in the best sample (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Saltiness and consumer acceptance Limitations: Taste study from a food-industry setting. Does not measure the salt level of typical shop or home broth. Funding and conflicts: Funded by Chinese public research grants (National Natural Science Foundation of China and others). Read: abstract |
What we do not know yet
- No human trial of bone broth for any health outcome was found.
- The broth result of the blood amino acid study is not in the abstract.
- USDA nutrient values for broth were not read.
- Lead results come from two small studies that tested different broths.
- No official statement on lead in broth was found.
- Histamine, allergy and medicine interactions were not researched.
- NIH ODS, NCCIH and LiverTox pages were not read.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue before the page changes.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Other 4
Amino acids in broth (hydroxyproline, glycine, proline)
Lower and more variable than a reference collagen supplement in trials
Amino acids that make up collagen, measured in a food sample by a lab.
Evidence againstResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To see how much of collagen's main building blocks a broth holds.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
It is a measure of the food, not of the person.
Safety implication
None.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Standard-recipe broth significantly lower in hydroxyproline, glycine and proline than reference collagen (p = .003) | Commercial and lab-made broths | Bone broth |
Blood glycine peak
Higher after collagen proteins than dairy; broth result not in abstract in trials
The highest blood level of the amino acid glycine in the hours after eating.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To see which foods raise blood glycine.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Shows what enters the blood, not a health result.
Safety implication
None noted.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Glycine peak 683 vs 260 umol/L (collagen vs dairy proteins, P < 0.0001) | Healthy active men | 20 g serves of protein; 300 mL bone broth in the same study |
Calcium and magnesium in broth
Low amounts per serving in trials
Minerals measured in a food sample by a lab.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Bone mineral density in rats
Higher in treated rats in trials
Density of bone measured by micro-CT scans in animals.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To test whether broth slows bone loss in an animal model.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Animal result only.
Safety implication
None reported.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Higher bone mineral density and bone volume than control rats | Rats after ovary removal | Chicken-vegetable bone broth or a fraction of it |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 3
- Lead in broth: two small studies, no firm answer. A small 2013 test of three organic chicken broths found lead of 9.5 and 7.01 micrograms per litre in two types, against 0.89 in treated tap water. A 2017 lab study judged the risk from lead and cadmium minimal, at a few micrograms per serving. The studies tested different broths, both were small, and neither is a regulator's finding. Pregnant people and parents can ask a doctor. Laboratory analysis 8 5
- Salt (sodium) depends on the product. No measured sodium figure for broth was read. A food-science paper notes that too much salt in soups and bases is a health risk. The NHS says adults should have no more than 6 g of salt a day, counting the salt already in food. Bought broths can be salty, so the label matters. Food science paper and official guidance 10
- Kidney transplant case report. A 2024 case report titled 'Bone broth ingestion and acute kidney injury following kidney transplant' used the case to show why kidney function should be measured with both creatinine and cystatin C. Its abstract does not say how the broth was involved, so no conclusion about broth is drawn. People with kidney disease or a transplant should ask their kidney team. Case report 3
Side effects 3
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| No side-effect data from trials Absence of a study is not proof of safety. | No human trial of bone broth was found | Not applicable Not applicable | Absence of evidence |
| Possible lead intake The two studies tested different broths. | 9.5 and 7.01 ug/L in two of three chicken broths tested in 2013; a few ug per serving in 2017 | Not measured in people Not applicable | Laboratory analysis 8 5 |
| Kidney injury in a transplant patient (link to broth unclear) The abstract does not say how the broth was involved. | One case | Not stated in the abstract Not stated | Case report 3 |
Liver
No liver injury from bone broth was found in the sources read. A liver-safety reference (LiverTox) was not opened.
How often. No frequency was found.
Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice was found.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Bone Broth supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 3
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prescription medicines (general) prescription | No mechanism found. | No interaction study between bone broth and any medicine was found. | Absence of evidence Not enough evidence | Absence of a study is not proof of safety. Tell a doctor or pharmacist about all foods and supplements you use regularly. |
| Collagen and other supplements supplement | No mechanism found. | No interaction reported. Broth and collagen supplements both supply amino acids. | Absence of evidence Not enough evidence 1 | Ask a pharmacist before combining, and check labels for added ingredients. |
| Salt-restricted diets food | Broth products can contain salt; the amount was not read for typical products. | Official salt limits apply to the whole diet, including salt in food. | Official guidance Low certainty 10 | Check the label if you have been told to limit salt. |
Who should check first 4
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Kidney disease or kidney transplant | Ask a kidney doctor. One case report involved broth and acute kidney injury after a transplant, but the abstract does not explain the link. | Case report 3 |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | No safety study of bone broth in pregnancy or breastfeeding was found. Because of the lead question, ask a doctor or midwife. | Absence of evidence and laboratory analysis 8 |
| Infants and children | No trial data in children were found. The NHS limits salt for children (for example less than 1 g a day under 1 year and 2 g a day at 1 to 3 years), so salty broth products need a label check. Ask a doctor first. | Official guidance and absence of evidence |
| Low-salt diet | Ask a doctor or dietitian and read the sodium figure on the label. | Official guidance |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. No poisoning or overdose reports for bone broth were found in the sources read.
Animal. Not reviewed for safety.
High dose or long term signals. Long-term safety of regular broth drinking was not found.
Overdose response. Not found.
Genotoxicity. Not researched.
Metal content depends on the bones, water and recipe. Two small lab studies looked at lead; they disagree in emphasis. Label accuracy, bacteria and bone broth powders were not researched here.
Lead in organic chicken broth. Two types of chicken broth (skin and cartilage; chicken bone) had 9.5 and 7.01 ug/L lead, compared with 0.89 ug/L for treated tap water. 8
Lead and cadmium in animal bone broths. Levels were a few micrograms per serving and the authors judged the risk minimal. 5
Product variation. Amino acid content varied widely between recipes and brands; bought broth was lower than self-made broth in a standard-recipe test. 1
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| NHS (United Kingdom) (United Kingdom) | Adults should have no more than 6 g of salt a day (about 1 level teaspoon), including salt already in food. Limits for children: 7 to 10 years 5 g, 4 to 6 years 3 g, 1 to 3 years 2 g, under 1 year less than 1 g. source | Page last reviewed 17 April 2023; read 2026-10-26 |
When to get medical help
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, hives, wheezing or trouble breathing after eating broth: call emergency services.
- If you have a kidney transplant or kidney disease and notice much less urine, new swelling, or feel unwell after a change in diet: contact your kidney team.
- Persistent vomiting, severe stomach pain or fever after a bought broth product: stop it and see a doctor.
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is bone broth high in collagen?
Not reliably. In a 2019 lab study, a standard-recipe broth had significantly less hydroxyproline, glycine and proline than a reference collagen supplement. Other broths varied a lot, and bought broth was lower than self-made.
Does bone broth help joints?
No human trial was found. Results from collagen supplement trials cannot be carried over to broth. A PubMed search found no trial of broth for joint pain.
Does bone broth help skin or hair?
No human trial of bone broth for skin or hair was found.
Does bone broth heal the gut?
Is bone broth good for bones?
Does bone broth contain lead?
Is bone broth high in salt?
It depends on the product. No measured figure was read here. The NHS says adults should have no more than 6 g of salt a day, so check the label.
Is bone broth the same as collagen powder?
No. Broth is a food that varies by recipe. Collagen powder is a processed protein used in the supplement trials. The collagen page covers the trials.
Is bone broth safe in pregnancy or for children?
No safety study for pregnancy, breastfeeding or children was found. Because of the lead question and salt, ask a doctor or midwife.
Is bone broth safe with kidney disease?
Ask your kidney team. One 2024 case report links bone broth and kidney injury after a transplant, but the abstract does not say how the broth was involved.
Does the type of bone matter?
In a lab study, bone type and animal species changed how much calcium and magnesium came out into the broth, and between-species differences were larger than within-species ones.
Where is the food page for bone broth?
The functional-foods page covers bone broth claims as a food. This page covers it as a collagen-related topic.
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Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against the sources listed.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-26
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-26
- How we research
- We started from our existing bone broth summary, then re-read PubMed abstracts for every study cited and checked the NHS salt page. Only abstracts were read. Official fact sheets from NIH ODS were not read and are marked unverified.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. Funding is flagged where the abstracts show it.
Sources 10
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Alcock RD, Shaw GC, Burke LM. Bone Broth Unlikely to Provide Reliable Concentrations of Collagen Precursors Compared With Supplemental Sources of Collagen Used in Collagen Research.. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2019. PMID 29893587. DOI 10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0139. (abstract)
- Alcock RD, Shaw GC, Tee N, Burke LM. Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations After the Ingestion of Dairy and Collagen Proteins, in Healthy Active Males.. Front Nutr. 2019. PMID 31681789. DOI 10.3389/fnut.2019.00163. (abstract)
- Chandler S, Viswanathan S, Sartain F, John GT. Bone broth ingestion and acute kidney injury following kidney transplant: a role for cystatin C.. BMJ Case Rep. 2024. PMID 38388200. DOI 10.1136/bcr-2023-256431. (abstract)
- 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. PMID 29509826. DOI 10.11607/ofph.1971. (abstract)
- Hsu DJ, Lee CW, Tsai WC, Chien YC. Essential and toxic metals in animal bone broths.. Food Nutr Res. 2017. PMID 28804437. DOI 10.1080/16546628.2017.1347478. (abstract)
- Mar-Solis LM, Soto-Dominguez A, Rodriguez-Tovar LE, Rodriguez-Rocha H, Garcia-Garcia A, Aguirre-Arzola VE, Zamora-Avila DE, Garza-Arredondo AJ, Castillo-Velazquez U. Analysis of the Anti-Inflammatory Capacity of Bone Broth in a Murine Model of Ulcerative Colitis.. Medicina (Kaunas). 2021. PMID 34833355. DOI 10.3390/medicina57111138. (abstract)
- Matar A, Abdelnaem N, Camilleri M. Bone Broth Benefits: How Its Nutrients Fortify Gut Barrier in Health and Disease.. Dig Dis Sci. 2025. PMID 40180691. DOI 10.1007/s10620-025-08997-x. (abstract)
- Monro JA, Leon R, Puri BK. The risk of lead contamination in bone broth diets.. Med Hypotheses. 2013. PMID 23375414. DOI 10.1016/j.mehy.2012.12.026. (abstract)
- Seki Y, Ohkuma RC, Miyakawa Y, Karakida T, Yamamoto R, Yamakoshi Y. Hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate in chicken-vegetable bone broth delay osteoporosis progression.. J Food Sci. 2024. PMID 38317402. DOI 10.1111/1750-3841.16962. (abstract)
- Zhang L, Cao X, Zhu B, Wang H, Zhong K, Shi B, Zhao L. Enhancing saltiness perception in bone broth: the additive effect of oil and optimization of sodium-reduction formula for consumer acceptability.. J Sci Food Agric. 2024. PMID 38445510. DOI 10.1002/jsfa.13438. (abstract)
Where to buy
Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:
- The amount of the active ingredient per serving, not just the front-label claim
- A third-party testing mark (USP, NSF or ConsumerLab)
- Other ingredients and allergens
- Ask a pharmacist about interactions with your medicines
Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.
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