What is Chicken Broth Good For? The Surprising Health Benefits of This Pantry Staple

Most of us probably have chicken broth in our kitchens. It can be used in many recipes and is good for you. But what is chicken broth good for? It turns out that using chicken broth has a lot of health benefits, from making you healthier to helping you lose weight. We’ll talk about what chicken broth is, its many health benefits, and easy ways to add it to your diet in this article.

What is Chicken Broth?

Chicken broth is made by simmering chicken bones, meat, and vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery in water for an extended period. This long simmering time extracts nutrients and flavors from the ingredients, creating a tasty and nutritious liquid.

You can buy chicken broth already made in the store in cans or cartons. However, homemade broth is much higher in nutrients than store-bought broth because some of the vitamins and minerals are lost during commercial processing. A few simple things are all you need to make chicken broth at home.

7 Science-Backed Health Benefits of Chicken Broth

Here are some of the top researched-based benefits of incorporating chicken broth into your routine:

1. Supports Immune Function

Chicken broth contains amino acids like arginine and cysteine which help strengthen the immune system The minerals in the broth like zinc and selenium also boost immunity One study found chicken broth has antiviral properties that may be beneficial when recovering from an illness,

2. Improves Joint Health

The collagen and gelatin in chicken broth contribute glycosaminoglycans which support joint health and may reduce pain associated with arthritis. The glucosamine and chondroitin found in the broth are also beneficial for joints.

3. Promotes Gut Health

It’s easy to digest chicken broth, and it has amino acids that help keep the gut lining healthy. This helps your body digest food well and may help with leaky gut syndrome symptoms. It has also been shown that collagen can lower the inflammation that comes with digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Benefits Skin Health

Collagen is famous for making skin more flexible and less wrinkled and dry. Additionally, the amino acids in chicken broth help the skin make new cells.

5. Strengthens Bones

Chicken broth provides minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus which are necessary for building and maintaining strong bones. The collagen improves bone mineral density as well.

6. Aids Weight Loss

Chicken broth is low in calories, making it a great snack for curbing hunger between meals. Studies show soup broths can increase satiety before a meal, leading to reduced calorie intake.

7. Improves Sleep Quality

Chicken broth contains glycine, an amino acid that has been found to improve sleep quality and reduce fatigue. One study showed glycine helped participants fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.

Simple Ways to Use Chicken Broth

Here are some easy and delicious ways to use up chicken broth:

• Drink it straight – Heat up a mug of broth for a soothing drink in the morning or evening.

• Use it in soups and stews – An easy way to boost nutrients and flavor.

• Cook grains like rice or quinoa in broth instead of water.

• Add it to sauces, gravies, and marinades for a flavor boost.

• Use it as a base for casseroles or when braising meats.

• Freeze broth in ice cube trays for easy use in meals later on.

• Saute veggies like spinach or kale in broth instead of oil.

• Make a broth popsicle with chicken broth and pureed veggies for a healthy snack.

Chicken Broth vs. Bone Broth

Bone broth has become popular in recent years as a superfood. So how does it compare to chicken broth?

Bone broth is made by simmering bones for 24+ hours to extract nutrients like collagen, amino acids, and minerals. This lengthy cooking time gives bone broth higher protein and mineral levels compared to chicken broth.

However, research has not found any evidence for many of the proclaimed health benefits of bone broth like arthritis relief or improved immunity. Both chicken and bone broth are healthy, mineral-rich ingredients. But chicken broth provides similar benefits without requiring lengthy cooking.

The Takeaway

Chicken broth is an often overlooked pantry staple that provides science-backed benefits for immunity, joint health, digestion, skin, bones, weight loss, and sleep. It’s budget-friendly, easy to make at home, and a tasty addition to many dishes. Consider keeping some chicken broth on hand and incorporating it into your routine to boost your overall health.