A few years ago, when I was first diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), I went on a strict low FODMAP diet and began using a lot of different supplements. One of the key elements in my recovery was, believe it or not, a daily dose of bone broth. It’s an ancient remedy going through a huge revival in recent years due to a lot of studies demonstrating its benefits. Today, it’s used by everyone from Hollywood stars and pro-athletes to parents of kids with auto-immune disorders and normal folks wanting to feel healthy again. The catch? I found it really challenging to make at home and it was quasi-impossible to buy in Dubai…until now. Just last week, I met some cool new health entrepreneurs in Dubai who make it! More on them later, but first, let’s start with some basics.
What is bone broth?
Simply put, it is a broth made with specific chicken or beef (each have different properties) bones. It’s cooked for up to 24 hours so that all the trace minerals, collagen and gelatin from the bone and marrow are extracted. In order for this broth to serve its purpose however, it absolutely must be made from animals that are grass fed and organic. If not, don’t bother because you’ll be ingesting hormones, chemicals and all this nasty stuff you don’t want in your body.
Why use it?
Heals and seals your digestive lining
The gelatin and collagen found in bone broth help restore the normal mucosal layer in the gut. It also has glycine and proline, two amino acids that helps with inflammation and digestion, making it ideal for people who have IBS.
Protects your joints
The collagen in bone broth has been said to benefit bone and joint health. It also contains many beneficial compounds such as glucosamine, which has been proven to improve conditions such as arthritis, osteoarthritis and joint inflammation.
Supports your immune system and clears up a cold
Our immune system is largely dependent on our gut health, which bone broth seems to contribute to. It also contains amino acids, trace minerals, collagen, gelatin and a host of other essential nutrients that our body does not necessarily get from our modern diets, even when we eat “clean”. Also, if you have respiratory problem, this study shows that the glycine and proline found in chicken bone stock help reduce inflammation in the upper respiratory tract and loosen up mucous (remember grandma’s chicken soup when you had a cold?).
Gives you younger looking skin
The nutrients in bone broth’s gelatin provide you with the essential building blocks of collagen. And collagen, well, it not only reduces wrinkles but also cellulite.
Keeps your hormones balanced
Amino acids are critical for hormone production and a key contributor in balancing your hormones. Bone broth has a lot. And because it also keep your general inflammation in check, it decreases the chance of producing excess stress hormones like cortisol.
It’s great for cooking
I refuse to use those horrible MSG-filled supermarket bouillon cubes when cooking. The real thing is not only way tastier, but also happens to be a super food.
Where can you get it in Dubai?
I get mine at Dubai-based The Clean Living Company. It’s truly one of the best broths I’ve ever had. I was lucky enough to visit their kitchen and speak with the founders, George Ball and Dean Henry. Here’s what they had to say:
WM: Where did you get the idea of selling bone broth?
George: We actually don’t come from the food business at all, but are both huge health advocates. Despite that, a few years ago, I was recovering from sports injuries, was leading a pretty hectic life and started experiencing gut problems and general fatigue. I had heard a lot about bone broth, so when my naturopath suggested it, I decided to give it a try and find out what the hype was all about. I never looked back: it got my body back on track. At the time though, it was really difficult to find “clean” bone broth in Dubai, so Dean and I decided to make it ourselves. We contacted chef Liam Breen at The Maine Oyster Bar and Grill, who helped us source the right ingredients and perfect the recipe.
WM: What is the key to a good bone broth?
George: Using the the best ingredients possible is essential because the quality of the bone and marrow are directly related to the health of the animal it came from. We use organic, pastured, grassfed beef and chicken bones sourced from the UK and the UAE. We even went to visit the farms to ensure the animals were living in good conditions and being raised ethically. The beef bones come from specific parts of the animal where there is a higher concentration of gelatin and it is then prepared with filtered water, vegetables, selected spices and cooked for 24 hours. The chicken broth is cooked for around 8 hours because the bones are a lot smaller.
WM: In your experience so far, what results can people expect from it?
Dean: We get a lot of customers who come to us with stomach issues, adrenal fatigue, skin disorders, excess weight and other such issues. The moment they clean up their diet and start drinking bone broth on a daily basis, the results are staggering. Because a lot of our immunity is in the gut and because it’s also a key player in our endocrine health, changes really start happening when it gets healed. Eczema and psoriasis disappear, brain fog lifts, their skin becomes healthier-looking and fuller, fatigue subsides, bloating, stomach pains and gut disorders too. Also, because their entire system works more efficiently, they naturally lose their excess weight. We suggest people do a 21-day challenge, where clients try it for 3 weeks; everyday, I get pictures, messages and phone calls from them because they are just flabbergasted by their transformation.
WM: How can one implement it in their diet?
George: It really depends on the person’s objectives and motivation. Some people just add 2 cups warm broth to their current daily diet. They will drink it before a meal, as a snack or it can be used as a substitute for coffee/tea. Others also change their eating habits – in our 21-day plan we suggest they also adopt a paleo way of eating where they eliminate grains, sugar and processed foods. In this plan, they also do 2 days of intermittent fasting, which is really beneficial for the digestive system and body. Adding bone broth basically speeds up and greatly enhances the results they would have with a change in diet alone.
If you are interested in trying out bone broth or do the 21-day challenge, check out The Clean Living Company’s website or email them at info@cleanlivingcompany.ae.
