Is Bone Broth the Fountain of Youth?
Have you ever come across someone who looks ten, even twenty years younger than their actual age? Like most people, you probably have, and you’ve probably wondered what their secret is.
Does it all have to do with genetics? Or maybe the youthful appearance is due to healthy living and avoiding vices like smoking and excessive drinking?
The truth is, how we age is the result of numerous factors, including life stress, genetics, nutrition, and more. But, none of this is to say that we shouldn’t strive to tip the scale in our favor.
One beneficial habit to pick up right away is to consume bone broth more frequently. Care to learn why that is the case? Read on.
Four Things That Make Bone Broth The Ultimate Anti-Aging Treatment
1. Collagen
You’ve probably heard of collagen before. But what exactly is it?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, with researchers estimating that it accounts for a third of all protein inside the human body (1). One of collagen’s primary functions is to provide structure to various tissues in the body: organs, cartilage, muscle, and, yes, even skin (1).
As you’ve probably guessed, getting enough collagen is vital for maintaining your skin’s glow, elasticity, and youthful appearance (2). Common skin-related issues due to low collagen include:
- Dryness
- Wrinkles
- Sagging
The great news is that bone broth is a fantastic source of collagen.
2. Glycine
Glycine is an amino acid (a building block of protein) present in collagen. Aside from providing structure for collagen and allowing it to keep us young and healthy, glycine has some direct benefits for skin health (3).
Among its most significant effects, glycine supports liver function, helping the organ remove toxins from the body (4). Another benefit of glycine is that it promotes better sleep, which is essential for our skin health and overall appearance (5, 6).
The third benefit of glycine is that the amino acid works as an antioxidant inside the body. In other words, glycine protects our cells (including skin cells) from oxidative stress that occurs because of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (7). As a result, the aging process slows down, and we get to maintain healthy and youthful skin for a long time.
3. Calcium
The third reason why bone broth is essential for healthy aging is that it offers large amounts of calcium, an essential mineral with numerous vital functions in the body. Among them is calcium’s importance for skin health (8).
We store a large percentage of the mineral in the epidermis––the outermost layer of our skin (8). The mineral plays a role in sebum production, a substance that keeps our skin hydrated and free of eczema (a type of inflammatory skin condition).
4. Magnesium
Like calcium, magnesium is an essential mineral with numerous functions inside the body. Magnesium is vital for hormonal balance, cholesterol control, and numerous cellular processes (9).
Getting enough magnesium through your diet allows you to maintain healthy, young-looking skin, free of acne and other skin disorders (10).
The great news is that you can get a lot of magnesium in bone broth.
Conclusion
Bone broth might not seem all that beneficial, but the watery liquid is full of essential nutrients the body needs to age gracefully and maintain skin health.
