You can make chicken broth using scraps of chicken, chicken bone, celery, onions, carrots and other flavors. You simmer it together for hours until a rich flavor is made. The broth is then strained to get rid of all the pieces used. This can be enjoyed plain or added to numerous recipes.

Is Chicken Broth Good for You?

Yes, chicken broth is healthy. It provides several nutrients that are important for your health. The following benefits help prove that chicken broth is good for you.

Promotes Gut Health

The gelatin in the broth is hydrophilic colloid. This will attract and hold liquid such as digestive juices, promoting healthy digestion. Chicken broth can help to heal and seal your gut.

Lowers Risk of Infection

If you are fighting a cold or flu, then this broth can help you out. More than a decade ago, a study was performed showing the medicinal qualities in chicken broth can significantly reduce your risk of infection.

Fights Inflammation

Amino acids such as proline, glycine and arginine have anti-inflammatory properties. Arginine has been shown to be very help in the treatment of sepsis, or entire body inflammation. Glycine can help you sleep better and promotes calmness.

Reduce Inflammation and Joint Pain

Is chicken broth good for you? Yes. Because of the chondroitin, glucosamine, sulphates and other compounds created when cartilage is broken down from boiling, you will see less joint pain and inflammation.

Promotes Healthy Nail and Hair

Natural gelatin helps nail and hair growth. Homemade chicken broth is rich in gelatin.

Promotes Healthy Strong Bones

There are large amounts of magnesium and calcium in chicken broth. These nutrients are important for the healthy growth and development of bones.

Promotes a Healthy Immune System

There are important amino acids such as cysteine, glutamine and arginine in chicken broth. These are shown to boost the immune system in both animals and humans.

Contains Lots of Minerals

Because chicken broth is based off of bones, there are plenty of minerals you will get from it. A simple 8-ounce serving will give you ten percent of your daily requirement of potassium, or 200 milligrams. Potassium is needed for heart health, as well as skeletal and muscular contractions. You will also get plenty of phosphorous from your chicken broth. The same serving will give you 70 milligrams of the important mineral. Phosphorous boosts your metabolism, helps with healthy teeth and bones and builds protein.

Helps with Hydration

Is chicken broth good for you? Yes. Chicken broth, especially when you use a lot of vegetables, will add electrolytes through minerals and carbohydrates from the veggies into your diet. This can help you rehydrate better than water alone.

Increases Exercise Capacity

There are studies that show liquids with both electrolytes and carbs, such as chicken broth made from veggies too, outperform water when used for restoring what is lost from exercise.

Builds Muscle with Chicken Broth

Muscle protein synthesis is stimulated from the amino acids in chicken broth. Muscle proteins are important for repair, ongoing growth and maintenance of muscle groups. A study looking at ovarian-cancer patients showed that taking amino acids in can help stimulate protein synthesis in the muscles. This will reduce inflammation.

Gets Emotional Benefits of Chicken Broth

Is chicken broth good for you? Yes. Because your diet influences your gut health and your gut bacteria impacts your mental health, chicken broth can promote a healthy state of mind. Neuroscientists say that your gut bacteria and brain are constantly speaking. Your microbiome, or gut bacteria, influences how your brain is wired from babyhood until adulthood. This affects your mood, ability to learn, ability to deal with stress and your memory. When your gut is healthy, it sends happy signals to your brain and when it is not, it will send anxiety signals. From these findings, neuroscientists are exploring how to manage gut bacteria to effectively treat stress-related and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Scientists state that the inflammatory and degenerative diseases are on the rise because of the lack of gelatin-rich foods. These foods have the important amino acids such as proline, hydroxyproline, alanine and glycine, all important for proper gut health.

In addition to these above health benefits of chicken broth, the gelatin found in it also helps with:

• Anti-aging
• Cell protection
• Helping lower blood sugar and alleviate diabetes
• Anti-tumor
• Sleep benefits
• Bleeding regulation such as with bladder hemorrhage, ulcers, menstruation and nosebleed
• Helping stabilize stomach acid. This can help with celiac disease, ulcers, colitis and other inflammatory conditions.

How to Make Your Own Chicken Broth at Home

You can make your own chicken broth on a budget. You can use left-over bones from your chicken that would be thrown away. It may seem intimidating, but with a few ingredients and some time, you’ll have the best homemade chicken broth. You can also purchase it, but for the best results choose broth that is low-sodium and organic.

Ingredients:

• 2 small, organic hens raised in the field
• 4 organic chicken feet – a vital ingredient for the gelatin
• Several leeks or a medium yellow onion
• Sea salt to taste
• Dash of mild vinegar
• Handful of allspice berries
• Handful of whole peppercorns

Preparation:

• Wash your hens and remove any organs, feathers or packing material.
• If you use a bag, place everything but the salt in it. Place in your stockpot and fill with filtered water. After ingredients are submerged, add vinegar and salt.
• Bring to a boil, then turn to simmer and let sit for 3-5 hours. Simmer longer for more gel. If you use a slow-cooker, put on high for a few hours then on low for 8.
• Once the broth has cooled, remove the ingredient bag or strain it. The hens will fall apart. Separate your skin, meat and bones. You can use these in other dishes if you like.
• Once broth is cool, fill mason jars and store in the fridge and freezer. Leave an inch or more of room in jars you plan on sticking in the freezer. After a day in the fridge, you will see how much it gels. You may also have schmaltz on top, a thin layer of chicken fat. This can be used to cook with or added to other dishes for flavor.
• Use your broth in a variety of recipes, from simmering veggies to starting soups.