NEW RESEARCH has found that bone broth, may play a scientifically valid role in supporting gut health and reducing inflammation.
Ancient Remedy, Modern Science
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic, including lead author Michael Camilleri, analyzed animal and human studies to explore how the nutritional components of bone broth affect the intestinal barrier, inflammation, and digestive disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Their findings suggest that bone broth is more than just a wellness trend: its composition of amino acids and minerals may actively promote gut healing and strengthen the intestinal lining.
Amino Acids and Minerals Behind the Benefits
Bone broth is rich in key amino acids such as glutamine, glycine, proline, histidine, and arginine, all of which have been shown to support cellular repair and maintain the integrity of the gut barrier. It also contains essential minerals including calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and zinc, which contribute to overall digestive and metabolic function. Together, these nutrients appear to reduce intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) and help regulate inflammation, particularly in individuals with IBD.
“Bone broth’s composition provides a nutrient-dense, natural source of gut-protective compounds,” the authors wrote. “Its amino acid and mineral content have demonstrable effects on the intestinal barrier and may support remission maintenance in inflammatory bowel conditions.”
A Potential Complement to Modern Therapies
The review highlights how bone broth could serve as a functional food for patients with chronic gut inflammation, improving both nutrient absorption and mucosal integrity. However, the authors caution that while preliminary evidence is promising, clinical trials are still needed to determine its efficacy as a therapeutic intervention.
Future Directions for Gut Health Research
Overall, the findings lend scientific credibility to a long-held belief, that slow-simmered bone broth can indeed nurture the gut. The researchers encourage further investigation into how this traditional food could complement modern treatments for IBD, functional diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal conditions.
Reference
Matar A et al. Bone Broth Benefits: How Its Nutrients Fortify Gut Barrier in Health and Disease. Dig Dis Sci. 2025;70:1951-61.
