Why These Celebs Swear By Drinking Bone Broth

We've all seen celebrities who don't seem to age, year after year. And while the statistics for plastic surgery during the coronavirus epidemic showed a decline in procedures according to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the United States still leads the world as the country with the highest number of plastic surgeons. Elective procedures are also becoming more mainstream, with Botox being the most popular non-invasive procedure of 2020.

But the fountain of youth might also be found in various foods we eat without a second thought. Many celebrities swear by one specialty that is easy to make at home and widely available in stores, and they credit it for anything from their youthful looks to their digestive health. And science seems to agree, with a plethora of peer-reviewed published studies showing that this miracle ingredient, bone broth, can be a beneficial addition to any diet that includes meat products. Dive into the world of bone broth by finding out what exactly celebrities love about it, and whether or not their claims can really stand up to scientific research.

"Big Little Lies" actress Shailene Woodley said in an interview with MTV News that "bone broth is everything," and she went on to recommend it to David Letterman during an appearance on the "Late Show." She explained: "What I think is beautiful about it is you utilize the whole animal. You're not just seeking out that perfect cut of muscle meat." She also credits bone broth for being helpful for people suffering from leaky gut syndrome, a condition which Medical New Today describes as a condition that affects the lining of the intestines and can lead to gut inflammation. 

She might be onto something, as a 2003 study published in the Journal of Clinical Pathology showed that low collagen levels are associated with inflammatory bowel disease, and a 2012 study from the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology found that gelatin tannate (a component of bone broth) can be an effective treatment for intestinal inflammatory conditions. HealthLine also states that bone broth could help with leaky gut syndrome.

If you want to follow in Shailene Woodley's footsteps, you can start your day with a hot cup of bone broth instead of your usual caffeinated drinks, something that she says she does every day.

Bone broth is thought to have been one important component of the late Kobe Bryant's healing process after he suffered injuries in 2013 that were supposed to have him out indefinitely, but that he recovered from quickly. Baxter Holmes of ESPN revealed that bone broth was the foundation of Kobe's pregame meal, and that it was "carefully prepared" for the NBA superstar. The Washington Post reported that the team's strength and conditioning coach, Tim DiFrancesco, has their longtime chef Sandra Padilla making enough bone broth every day to feed their "hungry athletes with large appetites". 

Science is on their side. A 2008 study from Current Medical Research and Opinion determined that when supplemented with collagen hydrolysate, a component of bone broth, joint pain in athletes significantly improved, and it reduced the negative impact of pain on their athletic performance. If you feel you need something more to recover from your workouts, bone broth might be just what you need.

Salma Hayek's good looks seem to improve every time we see her, and if you've been wondering what her secret is, she revealed it to People. The Hollywood star confessed that "right now I am doing something that I'm really loving. It is called bone broth! It's sort of disgusting. You take a bunch of bones from a cow and you slow cook them for many, many hours."

But can bone broth really make you look younger? It is possible, according to some doctors. New York City-based dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD shared with Health that the nutrients in bone broth can make our skin smoother, and can boost the production of collagen which starts to dwindle after age 25. If you're not into sipping straight bone broth, they recommend adding it to soups, smoothies, or even protein shakes.

While drinking bone broth probably won't make us look like Salma Hayek, it could help improve the quality of our skin, and that's pretty good already!

Not only is bone broth recommended in Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop, but it is also part of her own five-day detox plan, which includes a variety of fresh ingredients and a breakfast bone broth drink, and banishes refined foods, dairy, or even nightshades like eggplants. Her Breakfast Broth is recommended as the start of your third day, and needs to be made the night before. She also lists it in her Summer Picks on Goop, showcasing the large German glass mug she uses for her "iced coffee in the mornings and for bone broth later on."

But can bone broth really help with detoxification? Maybe. According to naturopathic doctor and New York Times best-selling author Dr. Kellyann Petrucci, bone broth isn't only one of the top 10 best liver cleansing foods, it is her favorite one as well. While many celebrities start their day with bone broth, Gwyneth Paltrow sometimes has it after her iced coffee, which could be good news for you if you don't see yourself replacing your morning caffeine with a hot cup of broth.

Mindy Kaling caused quite a stir when she unexpectedly shared her love for bone broth right on her Instagram account. In her own words, "my new morning coffee/elixir is bone broth from @belcampomeatco. It's so delicious. Thanks @mariobatali. I know drinking bone broth doesn't help dispel the myth that I am a witch." You can see Mindy sipping broth in her car, showing how convenient it can be to have a healthy snack on the go.

If, like Mindy, you have access to high-quality ready-made bone broth, jumping on the bone broth bandwagon will be easy enough. If not, try making your own from roasted bones, or experiment with from-scratch chicken soup recipes that call for cooking a whole chicken. Or, hit the grocery store shelves for bone broth labeled as grass-fed or paleo, as they tend to have minimal ingredients and most closely resemble the homemade version.

Reality TV star and businesswoman Kylie Jenner swears by either bone broth or celery juice for her morning ritual. She shared with Harper's Bazaar that even though she loves coffee and tea, she first starts her day with  "a healthy dose" of bone broth with lemon and lavender, or a glass of celery juice which she juices fresh herself, saving the caffeine for later. She has one or the other every day.

Following this trend, many grocery stores now carry what is referred to as "sipping broth," a flavorful, high collagen bone broth that one can have for breakfast or any time of day straight. It differs from regular chicken and beef stock, which is mostly used for flavoring in soups. Those bone broths usually come in smaller packages, or sometimes in glass jars. They can of course also be used in soups, for a double dose of collagen and other bone broth benefits.

Time doesn't seem to have a hold on beloved actress and model Halle Berry. But her secret is out, as she shared on her Instagram account that one of her secret weapons which has helped her defy age and look younger than her years is none other than bone broth. She explains that "the purpose is to cook the bones until they produce gelatin collagen and trace minerals that support the immune system and help with the development of healthy joints, bones, ligaments and tendons as well as hair and SKIN!" She also credits it with improving gut health.

Can bone broth really help with hair quality and growth? It's possible. A 2015 study from Journal of Investigative Dermatology found a strong relationship between collagen, a major component of bone broth, and hair follicle regeneration, hair loss, and other skin-related diseases. Bone broth is not pure collagen, but as an addition to an otherwise healthy diet, it could potentially be beneficial.

In an interview with Women's World, Hollywood's most sought after skincare specialist Mila Moursi states that bone broth should be called "beauty broth," in part because of its abundant quantities of the amino acids proline and glycine, which are believed to benefit hair, skin, and nails, and its hyaluronic acid content. A 2018 study published in Amino Acids stated that both need to be present in the diet in large quantities to keep up with the demands for collagen production. And, a 2014 study published in Scientific World Journal seems to confirm that consuming hyaluronic acid from food does migrate into the skin — at least in rat studies.

WebMD confirms by saying that bone broth's protein content in bone broth may support your body as it builds bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood. This is especially important as we age, because while bone density tends to be relatively stable until age 50, it then starts to decrease. If you've been tempted to skip the Botox for something more natural, bone broth might be right up your alley.

Goldie Hawn is another celebrity who credits her diet for her youthful appearance. She occasionally likes to share her food-based beauty secrets on Instagram, and one of her posts included, you guessed it, bone broth. But her recipe isn't as basic as the ones you might have seen online. Her video, featuring herself stirring what she calls "Gogo's bone broth recipe" has her lifting whole chicken feet out of a slow cooker.

According to HealthLine, chicken feet are high in collagen, our body's most abundant source of protein, a fact confirmed by Science Direct, which can help relieve joint pain, aid skin health, and prevent bone loss. If you're not keen on adding chicken feet to your broth, or if you simply can't find it, you can still benefit from regular bone broth which is also high in the same nutrients that chicken feet would provide. Besides, most of the studies showcasing the benefits of bone broth are usually done using either collagen supplements, or broth made from commonly found chicken and beef bones.

While most of the celebrities extolling the benefits of bone broth tend to be women, men also do consume it with good results. One of these celebrities is media personality and producer Ryan Seacrest. He confided in People by saying that instead of the usual barbecue, he has now switched to bone broth as a better choice before going on the air. He even shared a picture of himself, Kelly Ripa, and Laura Prepon on Twitter in front of a slow cooker, with the caption: "Bone broth is the new black."

As someone who uses his voice a lot, Ryan might also enjoy the benefits that bone broth imparts to the lungs. A 2000 study published in the journal Chest found that chicken soup provides anti-inflammatory effects that could positively impact upper respiratory tract infections. Whether you are a singer, a TV personality, or just someone who wants to make better dietary choices as you get older, bone broth gets a thumbs up from both celebs and science.

Just like her sister Kylie, Kourtney started incorporating bone broth into her diet with great results. While some prefer to drink it as soon as they wake up instead of the usual coffee or tea, she likes to have it after her morning workout. The ingredients? A blend of banana, bone broth, MCT oil, organic almond milk, and a blue green algae supplement. She even had her friend Jennifer Galvan share her own chicken broth recipe on her website Poosh. It calls for chicken back, neck, and feet, onions, celery sticks, carrots, parsley, garlic, ginger, salt, pepper, turmeric, and apple cider vinegar.

Drinking bone broth after working out makes sense, as it has relatively high amounts of protein, between 12 to 30 grams per cup depending on the source, without the additives and packaging of prepared protein shakes. This makes bone broth higher in protein than milk, eggs, or some varieties of yogurt according to the American College of Sports Medicine. Since a good amount of protein for the average person is about 60 grams, a little broth every day can help you reach your target and lead to higher muscle mass.

How did Mark Wahlberg lose 10 pounds in five days? Apparently thanks to a bone broth fast, a detail that he shared with Ellen DeGeneres on her show where he went on to describe his diet and exercise routine. But while his results were mind-blowing, the process was not easy, and he shared that the first few days were very difficult. But, things improved and by the end of his fast, he had reached his goal.

Can fasting help with sustainable weight loss? A 2021 study from the Annual Review of Nutrition found that intermittent fasting (which often means fasting from early evening to lunch the next day) did lead to weight loss. No studies have been conducted on actual bone broths fasts, and there is no data regarding their safety, but a healthy diet made of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, adequate protein, and the whole spectrum of micro-nutrients from a variety of foods can become even more beneficial with the addition of bone broth and its benefits.