The Atomic Cheesehead

Proponents of bone broth consumption often claim that it “heals the gut,” mainly based on assertions that it has anti-inflammatory properties.  But what does that really mean?  Can anybody actually prove it? 

As it turns out, a group of researchers in 2021 published an objective, peer-reviewed, honest-to-goodness scholarly report based on their carefully controlled study and published it on the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) website under the title Analysis of the Anti-Inflammatory Capacity of Bone Broth in a Murine Model of Ulcerative Colitis. You may access the complete research paper through the link at the bottom of this post. 

Ulcerative Colitis is caused by inflammation in the bowels and is commonly “treated” with anti-inflammatory drugs that help alleviate the symptoms.  Unfortunately, like with most pharmaceutical options, the drugs may lessen the symptoms but also introduce other unwanted side effects. 

The authors of the research study state “Nutritional deficiencies are one of the main triggers for the development of gastrointestinal diseases, such as ulcerative colitis (UC)” which, interestingly, makes one wonder whether a nutritional change may provide a non- pharmaceutical path forward.  To test this hypothesis the researchers carefully made bone broth, administered it to a control group, and measured the response in a number of ways.  Their firm conclusion is that bone broth does indeed have natural anti-inflammatory properties, and its consumption can decrease the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis. 

Here at the Atomic Cheesehead we find this conclusion very exciting as it validates the common sense idea that natural foods are necessary for good health.  Our mission is to help educate people on the benefits of bone broth and how it should be a component of a healthy diet that helps to sustain and heal the body.  We hope you found this information interesting and encouraging, and would be very pleased if you’d give our products and recipes a try!