This meaty stew is rapidly joining the wellness wave, popularised by celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow. But not all products on the market are made equal, so L360 shares how to shop smart.
Bone broth might not be your first thought for summer wellness, but that’s shifting.
Driven by the rise of functional nutrition, more people are embracing bone broth for its supposed gut-soothing, skin‑boosting and joint‑supporting benefits.
It’s protein‑packed, electrolyte‑rich, low‑calorie and a smart alternative to sugary drinks or over‑processed protein powders — especially useful after workouts or a hot day.
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What are the benefits of bone broth?
According to Kerry Beeson, nutritional therapist at Prep Kitchen, bone broth has a variety of benefits. She explains: “It contains high levels of collagen, which turns to gelatine during the cooking process, and other amino acids, such as glycine and glutamine, which are beneficial for joint, skin and gut health.”
It’s a treasure trove of nutrients, too, containing protein, essential fatty acids, minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium and selenium, as well as B vitamins and vitamins A and K.
Kerry adds that bone broth is also considered to have anti-inflammatory and gut-healing properties.
Read more: Eat these collagen-rich foods for glowing skin and stronger joints
What to look out for when shopping for bone broth
If you’re buying ready-made broth, wellness expert Sonia Magnier reminds us that many ‘bone broths’ are actually just flavoured stock — lighter on nutrients and heavier on added salt, yeast extracts, sugars or preservatives.
When shopping, look out for:
- Short, clean ingredient lists: ideally just bones, water, herbs or vegetables.
- No additives: skip anything with ‘natural flavours’, yeast extract, sugar or E‑
- Evidence of slow simmering: authentic brands often state 12–24‑hour cooking times right on the label.
- Gelling consistency: a sign of rich collagen content when chilled.
Which are the best bone broths to buy?
There are many good-quality broths on the market, but L360 recommends:
Freja Fish Bone Broth
With 100% natural ingredients and added onion, carrot, leek, fennel, salt, thyme, bay leaf and white pepper for extra nutrients and flavour, it’s no wonder Freja is the bestselling bone broth in the UK.
This bone broth is also high in protein, rich with collagen and contains just 87 calories per carton.
Buy for £20.89 at Amazon.
Daylesford Organic Chicken Bone Broth
Daylesford prides itself on using only the best ingredients grown on its farm in the Cotswolds, including free-range chickens the brand says ‘enjoy as wild a life as possible’.
Buy for £7.99 at Daylesford Organic.
Bulk Beef Bone Broth Powder
This bone broth comes in powder form, meaning it’s incredibly versatile and keeps well. Mix it in with hot water or simply add it to your favourite recipes like spaghetti bolognese or curry for an instant salty, high-protein boost.
Buy for £22.99 at Bulk.
Don’t forget dining out: Pho’s 12‑hour slow‑cooked bone broth is exactly the kind of quality base you’re shopping for — and Dr Alex George’s recent collaboration highlights how it offers real functional nutrition in a restaurant setting.
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Easy bone broth recipe
Making bone broth at home takes time, but it’s simple, economical and deeply nourishing.
Ingredients
- 1 kg bones (chicken carcasses, beef marrow or fish heads) — ideally organic or grass-fed
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Optional: one onion, two garlic cloves, celery, carrots, bay leaves or herbs
- Filtered water to cover
Method
- Roast bones at 200C for 20-30 mins for richer flavour (optional).
- Add bones, vinegar, herbs and water to a large pot or slow cooker.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer:
- Chicken: 12-18 hours
- Beef/pork: 18-24 hours
- Fish: six-eight hours
- Skim foam, strain and cool. Store in the fridge (for up to five days) or freeze (for up to three months).
- When chilled, a quality broth will set into a gel — proof of the collagen at work.
How can you add bone broth to your diet?
Bone broth is incredibly versatile. Kerry says: “Bone broth can be made into something very tasty with the addition of a few herbs, spices and vegetables. Many people also enjoy it as a standalone nourishing drink.
“Those who don’t like it as a beverage can add it to casseroles, soups, stir fries or pasta sauces.”
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Are there vegetarian or vegan alternatives?
According to Kerry, there are vegan bone broth alternative recipes which use health-packed ingredients such as carrots, onion, garlic, turmeric and ginger, seaweeds, shiitake mushrooms, onion, garlic and fennel.
Kerry adds: “In fact, some argue that these are even more nutritious and suitable for daily use, as conventional bone broths may contain lead and other heavy metals.”
Bone broth can contain lead due to it being sequestered in animal bones and potentially leached into the broth during preparation, though research on this topic isn’t conclusive.
You can buy vegan bone broth from Holland & Barrett for £6.99.
Feature image: Freepik
