TL;DR
Get beauty and skincare favorites delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
A Marie Claire report featuring a registered dietitian, dermatologist and OB-GYN finds that bone broth can provide protein and amino acids, but evidence that drinking it improves skin is limited. Its nutrition varies by preparation and brand, and packaged products may contain substantial sodium.
A Marie Claire report examining bone broth’s beauty claims says experts find no strong clinical evidence that drinking it directly improves skin hydration, elasticity, firmness or wrinkles. The broth can contribute protein and amino acids, but its nutritional content varies, and experts caution against treating it as a proven skin treatment or a replacement for other protein sources.
Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones and connective tissue in water, sometimes with meat, vegetables and seasonings. Registered dietitian Valerie Agyeman told Marie Claire that it is commonly cooked for eight to 24 hours or longer to draw out gelatin and other compounds. A cup may contain about five to 10 grams of protein, though the amount depends on how it is prepared and the product.
Agyeman said bone broth can supply amino acids such as glycine and proline, which the body uses to build and maintain muscle. But she said it generally offers less protein than a typical serving of chicken, fish or Greek yogurt, and recommended using it as an addition to meals rather than relying on it as a main protein source. The broth’s collagen and mineral content also vary; consumers should check product labels rather than assume it provides substantial calcium or collagen.
Dermatologist Morgana Colombo said research on collagen supplements cannot establish the effects of bone broth. Some studies of hydrolyzed collagen supplements report modest improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, but the evidence is mixed, and the products and doses studied are not necessarily comparable with a cup of broth. OB-GYN Jennifer Choe also said evidence specifically supporting bone broth for women’s health is limited. The report notes that findings about collagen peptides taken with calcium and vitamin D do not show that bone broth alone prevents osteoporosis.
What Skin Claims the Research Supports
The distinction matters because bone broth and standardized collagen supplements are not interchangeable. A broth’s collagen content can vary, and studies of a specified supplement and dose do not show that an unspecified serving of broth produces the same result. Colombo told Marie Claire that collagen intake does not automatically prompt the skin to produce more collagen; genetics, age, hormones, UV exposure and nutritional status also influence collagen synthesis.
For readers considering bone broth as part of a daily routine, the report points to a more limited, practical role: it may contribute some protein and amino acids, while its broader beauty and wellness claims remain unestablished. It also flags sodium as a consideration, especially for people monitoring their blood pressure. Comparing labels can help consumers understand what a particular product actually contains.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
How Broth Became a Beauty Trend
The report describes bone broth as an old food that has gained renewed attention through wellness influencers and social media. It is not a new preparation: the article’s author notes family traditions of making it, including in Pakistan, while contemporary products are sold in stores at a range of prices.
Its popularity is tied to claims about skin, gut and joint health, as well as bones. The report’s experts distinguish those broad claims from what is established about the food itself: broth can contain protein and amino acids, but evidence that bone broth itself produces the promoted health or skin effects is limited. Bone broth also should not be assumed to supply much calcium simply because it is made from bones; Agyeman said dietary calcium, vitamin D and protein matter for bone health, and identified dairy and calcium-fortified alternatives as more reliable calcium sources.
“It can help you get some protein, but it usually doesn’t provide as much as a typical serving of chicken, fish, or Greek yogurt.”
— Valerie Agyeman, registered dietitian, as quoted by Marie Claire
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
What Broth Studies Have Not Shown
The report does not identify strong clinical evidence that bone broth itself improves skin appearance, gut health or inflammation. It also does not establish a standard collagen amount for broth: content can differ by preparation and may not be listed separately on labels. Results from research on specific collagen supplements cannot be assumed to apply to broth.
Details about potential downsides beyond sodium are incomplete in the supplied report excerpt, which ends during a discussion of concerns raised by Choe. The source material therefore does not provide enough information to describe those concerns or assess their significance. It also gives no publication date, study citations or specific product comparisons.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
What Consumers Can Check Now
People who choose to drink bone broth can compare protein and sodium amounts on product labels and treat it as one part of a varied diet, rather than a substitute for a main protein source or a proven skin intervention. Those monitoring blood pressure may want to pay particular attention to sodium, as Agyeman advised.
The report offers no announced follow-up study or new clinical guidance. The key evidence question remains whether research specifically testing bone broth, with its variable composition, can establish measurable skin benefits. Until stronger evidence is available, the experts’ comments support distinguishing the food’s nutritional contribution from claims that it will make skin glow.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Key Questions
Does drinking bone broth improve skin?
The experts quoted by Marie Claire said there is no strong clinical evidence that bone broth directly improves skin hydration, elasticity, firmness or wrinkles.
How much protein is in a cup of bone broth?
The report says a cup may provide about five to 10 grams of protein, but the amount varies by preparation and brand. Agyeman said it usually has less protein than a typical serving of chicken, fish or Greek yogurt.
Can bone broth replace collagen supplements?
Not on the evidence described in the report. Bone broth and standardized collagen supplements are not interchangeable; supplement studies use specific products and doses, while broth’s collagen content varies.
What should I check before buying bone broth?
Check the label for protein and sodium, and compare brands. The report says collagen and mineral content can vary, so consumers should not assume a product is a reliable source of calcium or collagen.
Source: rss
Halloween Picks
halloween
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
