Is Bone Broth The Best-Kept Secret To Glowy Skin?

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A Marie Claire report featuring a registered dietitian, dermatologist and OB-GYN finds that bone broth can provide protein and amino acids, but there is not strong clinical evidence that drinking it directly improves skin. Its nutritional content varies, and packaged products can be high in sodium.

A Marie Claire report featuring a registered dietitian, dermatologist and OB-GYN says there is no strong clinical evidence that drinking bone broth directly improves skin hydration, elasticity, firmness or wrinkles. The report finds that bone broth can add protein and amino acids to a diet, but its nutrients vary by product, and its popularity as a beauty drink is not proof of a skin benefit.

Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones and connective tissue in water, sometimes with meat, vegetables and seasonings. Registered dietitian Valerie Agyeman told Marie Claire that it is commonly cooked for eight to 24 hours or longer to draw out gelatin and other compounds. The resulting nutrition is not consistent: a cup may provide about five to 10 grams of protein, depending on preparation and brand, and its collagen and mineral content can also vary.

Agyeman said bone broth can contribute protein and amino acids such as glycine and proline, which the body uses to build and maintain muscle. But it generally provides less protein than a typical serving of chicken, fish or Greek yogurt. She advised treating it as an addition to meals rather than a main protein source, and checking product labels instead of assuming a broth is high in collagen or minerals because it is made from bones.

Dermatologist Morgana Colombo said studies of hydrolyzed collagen supplements have reported modest improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, but the findings are mixed. Those studies do not establish that bone broth produces the same effects: the amount of collagen in broth varies, and a cup cannot be assumed to match a standardized supplement dose. The report also notes that sodium levels can be high in some packaged broths.

What Skin Claims the Evidence Supports

The distinction between bone broth and collagen supplements matters for consumers deciding whether to spend money on a product marketed for beauty. Some research on specific collagen supplements has reported modest skin changes, but those results cannot be transferred automatically to bone broth, whose collagen content may be unknown or inconsistent. Colombo said that more collagen intake does not automatically mean more collagen production in skin.

That does not mean bone broth has no place in a diet. It may be a source of protein and amino acids, and people may enjoy it as food. But readers should separate those nutritional uses from claims that it will make skin glow, reduce wrinkles or improve skin firmness. The report’s experts say those direct skin effects have not been established for bone broth itself.

There are practical considerations beyond beauty claims. Agyeman urged people who drink it regularly to check sodium on the nutrition label, particularly if they are monitoring blood pressure. Product-to-product variation also makes labels more useful than broad claims about broth as a category.

From Traditional Food to Beauty Trend

Bone broth is not a new food, though the report describes its recent visibility among wellness influencers and celebrity-associated trends. The article also notes that families have long made it in different cultural settings; its writer recalls a family tradition in Pakistan. The current question is not whether people have consumed broth for generations, but whether the modern claims about skin and other health outcomes are supported by research.

The report’s experts distinguish bone broth from collagen supplements and from general nutrition. Agyeman said collagen and mineral amounts in broth can vary, while calcium may not transfer into the finished liquid in substantial amounts. For bone health, she said, overall intake of calcium, vitamin D and protein matters more, with dairy products and calcium-fortified alternatives described as more reliable calcium sources.

OB-GYN Jennifer Choe said evidence specifically supporting bone broth for women’s health is limited. The report notes that research on collagen peptides taken with calcium and vitamin D in postmenopausal women does not show that bone broth alone prevents osteoporosis or strengthens bones. Evidence about a particular supplement combination should not be treated as evidence for broth.

““It can help you get some protein, but it usually doesn’t provide as much as a typical serving of chicken, fish, or Greek yogurt.””

— Valerie Agyeman, registered dietitian, as quoted by Marie Claire

What Research Has Not Established

The supplied report does not cite a clinical trial showing that drinking bone broth directly improves skin, and it provides no evidence that broth alone prevents osteoporosis or produces other claimed health outcomes. How much collagen a person gets from a serving is also uncertain without product-specific information, since preparation and brands differ and collagen may not be separately listed.

The report says research on hydrolyzed collagen supplements has found some modest skin benefits, but that evidence is mixed and does not establish equivalent effects from broth. It also does not provide a full account of possible downsides beyond sodium; the source excerpt ends as it begins to mention other concerns raised by Choe. Further detail on those concerns is not available in the supplied material.

Check Labels Before Making It Routine

For people who choose to drink bone broth, the immediate practical step is to compare nutrition labels, including protein and sodium amounts, rather than relying on general claims about collagen or minerals. Agyeman’s guidance is to use it as one part of meals, not a substitute for higher-protein foods or established sources of nutrients needed for bone health.

The report does not announce a new study or provide a research timeline. Any clearer answer about skin benefits would depend on evidence that tests bone broth itself, with its variable ingredients and doses, rather than assuming that findings from standardized collagen supplements apply. Until then, claims that broth is a proven route to glowing skin remain unconfirmed.

Key Questions

Does bone broth make skin glow?

That has not been established by strong clinical evidence. The dermatologist quoted in the report said research has not shown that drinking bone broth directly improves skin hydration, elasticity, firmness or wrinkles.

Is bone broth the same as a collagen supplement?

No. Bone broth’s collagen content varies with preparation and product, while supplement studies may use standardized collagen peptide doses. The report says their effects cannot be assumed to be the same.

How much protein does bone broth contain?

The report says a cup may contain around five to 10 grams of protein, though the amount varies by brand and preparation. The dietitian cited said it usually has less protein than a typical serving of chicken, fish or Greek yogurt.

Can bone broth strengthen bones?

The report does not establish that bone broth alone strengthens bones or prevents osteoporosis. Its experts emphasized overall intake of calcium, vitamin D and protein; calcium content in broth may be limited and varies.

What should I check before drinking it regularly?

Compare the product’s sodium and protein labels. Some packaged broths can contain considerable sodium, and the report advises people monitoring blood pressure to pay particular attention to that amount.

Source: rss