Bone broth and gut health: a new study

For thousands of years, bone broth has been part of the human diet as a source of warmth, flavour and nourishment, often with a reputed healing effect. Traditionally it was used in soups during illness, and today bone broth remains popular in health and wellness circles. Bone broth contains amino acids such as glutamine, glycine, proline, arginine and histidine, as well as minerals including calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and zinc.

Given this composition, it is often claimed that bone broth supports digestion and reduces inflammation. Until recently, however, this reputation was based mainly on tradition. A scientific review from 2025, published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences, examined the research on bone broth and gut health, in particular on the integrity of the gut barrier and inflammation in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Understanding the Gut Barrier

An essential part of the bone broth story is the gut barrier. The gut forms a complex, multi-layered defence system. The mucus layer keeps most bacteria at a distance, while the underlying layer of epithelial cells selectively determines which substances are let through. These cells are connected by so-called "tight junctions", which regulate passage into the bloodstream. Beneath this layer lies immune tissue that is activated when potential threats appear.

This system makes it possible to absorb nutrients while keeping harmful substances out. When the barrier is damaged, the gut wall can become "leaky". This has been linked to chronic inflammation and conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, metabolic syndrome and some autoimmune diseases.

The 2025 review analyses the individual components of bone broth and describes their effects based on animal studies, cell research and a limited number of human studies. The focus is on amino acids and minerals that are relevant to maintaining gut structure and regulating inflammatory processes.

Glutamine: Fuel for Gut Cells

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in bone broth and serves as the main energy source for gut cells. According to the review, several studies indicate that glutamine is involved in the repair of the gut barrier, especially during stress or inflammation.

In animal research, glutamine reduced the production of inflammatory substances and oxidative stress in the gut in colitis. In humans, glutamine supplementation was found to lower intestinal permeability and reduce symptoms in post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea. Glutamine may also play a role in recovery from post-surgical, inflammation-related bowel problems such as pouchitis.

Although low doses do not always show clear effects, higher doses appeared more effective in the short term in these studies. The authors therefore see glutamine-rich foods such as bone broth as an interesting subject for further research.

Glycine: Studied for Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Glycine is another important amino acid in bone broth. Laboratory and animal studies suggest that glycine helps stabilise tight junction proteins, reduces oxidative damage and limits excessive immune responses in the gut.

On that basis, the review describes glycine as potentially supporting gut structure during various forms of stress, such as heat or inflammation.

Proline and Collagen-Derived Substances

Proline is an important component of collagen, a structural protein that is abundant in connective tissue and therefore in bone broth. During digestion, collagen gives rise to substances such as hydroxyproline, which appear to be involved in tissue repair.

Research suggests that these collagen-derived substances may stimulate mucus production, strengthen antioxidant protection and promote a more favourable gut microbiome. In mice with colitis, hydroxyproline supplementation led to less inflammation and less tissue damage, with an improved gut barrier.

Arginine: Studied for Repair and Immune Balance

Arginine is involved in the production of nitric oxide, an important substance for blood flow, immune signalling and tissue repair. Research shows that arginine availability can be reduced during active intestinal inflammation, especially in ulcerative colitis.

Animal and cell studies show that arginine supplementation improved survival, lowered inflammatory markers and promoted the repair of the intestinal epithelium in colitis.

Histidine: An Often Overlooked Amino Acid

Histidine receives little attention in Western diets, but experimental research points to strong anti-inflammatory properties. Laboratory studies show that histidine reduced the production of inflammatory cytokines and limited damage to the colon in colitis models.

Observational studies also suggest that low histidine levels are associated with a higher risk of relapse in patients with ulcerative colitis. So far there is no indication that histidine intake is harmful to gut health.

The Role of Minerals

Besides amino acids, bone broth contains minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and zinc. Although the amounts are relatively modest, the review discusses the role of these minerals in gut barrier function and immune balance.

Zinc is particularly important here. Zinc deficiency is common in inflammatory bowel disease and has been linked to increased intestinal permeability and diarrhoea. Animal studies show that zinc supplementation improved the integrity of the gut barrier and reduced inflammation.

Magnesium deficiency, too, has been associated with increased intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress in animal models. In those models, magnesium supplementation improved microbial diversity and reduced inflammatory signals, although further research in humans is needed.

The Bottom Line

In summary, the review shows that bone broth is more than culinary nostalgia: the authors describe several mechanisms by which its amino acids and minerals could be relevant to the gut barrier and inflammation. As a traditional, nutritious food, bone broth can be a gentle addition to the daily diet – it is not a medicine and does not replace medical treatment. If you don't make it yourself, a high-quality bone broth supplement is an alternative.

At the same time, the authors stress that more research is needed. The 2025 review calls for well-designed human clinical trials to better establish dosage, duration and safety. Attention to purity and possible metal contamination is also needed, as prolonged boiling of bones can release lead, for example. For supplements, it is therefore advisable to choose products that fully comply with EU regulations.

Reference

Matar, A., Abdelnaem, N., & Camilleri, M. (2025). Bone broth benefits: How its nutrients fortify gut barrier in health and disease. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 70, 1951–1961. DOI: 10.1007/s10620-025-08997-x