What's the difference between beef vs. chicken bone broth?
Bone broth has become a whole-food pantry staple, simmering its way into cafes, grocery stores, and even your social media feed. But with so many different types of bone broth on the market, you may be wondering which is best for you. 🤔
This guide will be your trusty ladle, diving deep into the world of beef and chicken broth to uncover all their health secrets. We'll explore how they're made, compare each broth's unique perks, and share our recommendations for when to choose either one (or both!).
So, if you want to become a bone broth boss and conquer your wellness goals, let's start with:
THE BASICS: CHICKEN BONE BROTH VS. BEEF BONE BROTH
Both beef and chicken bone broth are made using the same cooking method that has nourished humankind for centuries: slow-simmering animal bones for 12–18+ hours.
This low and slow cooking process works its magic by breaking down the bones to extract all their beneficial nutrients. The result is an easily digestible, sippable wellness elixir.
So, what does bone broth taste like? There are some slight differences here:
🍗 Chicken bone broth has a lighter, less-full-bodied flavor. Because chicken bones are smaller and more delicate than beef bones, they have a shorter cooking time and an easygoing flavor profile. That's why chicken bone broth makes the perfect choice for bone broth newbies.
🥩 Beef bone broth has a bold, heartier flavor. Because beef bones are much larger, they require a longer cooking process to extract all their marrow, which lends to a thicker, richer broth that seasoned bone brothers come to crave.
Never had bone broth before? Check out these beginner-to-expert bone broth hacks!
SO, WHAT MAKES BEEF OR CHICKEN BONE BROTH WELLNESS STAPLES?
Bone broth contains a unique combination of highly digestible and bioavailable health-boosting compounds you may not find in other foods. These include:
COLLAGEN
Bone broth provides the highest source of dietary collagen. Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, but we make less of it as we age.[*]
Supplementing with collagen helps your body make more of it to keep your joints, skin, gut health, the lining of your digestive tract, and more in tip-top shape.[*]
GELATIN
Properly made bone broth forms a jelly-like substance called gelatin when cooled. Produced from collagen as it breaks down during the simmering process, gelatin makes collagen easier for your body to use. This gut-loving protein may also aid digestion and support a healthy gut microbiome.[*]
AMINO ACIDS
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Bone broth contains nearly 20 amino acids, and more than half of them are essential amino acids we must get from our diets.[*] These support muscle growth, repair, optimal digestion, and other critical tasks.[*]
ESSENTIAL MINERALS AND ELECTROLYTES
You'll find sodium, magnesium, and potassium in bone broth. These essential electrolytes support everything from your energy levels, heart rhythms, and immunity to your muscle function, brainpower, and more.[*]
GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS (GAGs)
As we celebrate more birthdays, our bodies become depleted of glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid (GAGs).[*] Low GAGs correlate with digestive disorders, stiff joints, and mobility trouble.
Good news? You can snag more GAGs in bone broth!
GAGs support your connective tissues and make synovial fluid (the lube that keeps your joints from creaking or locking up).[*] Studies show they may also support better digestive health and improve abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and IBD symptoms.[*]
Though these shared bone broth benefits are fantastic, there are some slight nuances when it comes to chicken or beef bone broth for gut health, immunity, joint health, and overall well-being.
IS BEEF OR CHICKEN BONE BROTH BETTER FOR YOUR HEALTH?
Let's be clear: well-made bone broth from beef or chicken bones will provide the same health benefits. However, when we compare chicken vs. beef bone broth benefits specifically, we can see that:
👑 BEEF BONE BROTH IS THE KING OF COLLAGEN
When it comes to bone broth collagen content, both broths still beat collagen supplements. However, beef bone broth generally contains more collagen than chicken bone broth.
Since beef bones are bigger and denser than chicken bones, they pack a higher
concentration of type I collagen (the most abundant type) and type III collagen, which helps maintain your skin's firmness and elasticity.[*]
😋 CHICKEN BONE BROTH MAY BE EASIER TO DIGEST
The long, simmering cooking makes both beef and chicken bone broth easily digestible. On the other hand, some people find chicken bone broth easier to digest than beef.
This may be because the primary collagen in chicken broth (type II) is smaller and more effortlessly broken down by your digestive system compared to the type I collagen that dominates beef broth. Your mileage may vary.
😴 BEEF MAY BE THE BEST BONE BROTH FOR SLEEP
If you want to tuck into a warm mug before bed, make it beef bone broth.
Beef bones naturally contain a higher concentration of glycine compared to chicken bones. Plus, beef bone broth is richer in type I collagen, which has more glycine than the type II collagen in chicken bone broth.
Glycine is an amino acid that may shorten the time it takes to fall asleep and improve sleep quality.[*]
🤧 CHICKEN MAY BE THE BEST BONE BROTH FOR YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
Chicken soup is a time-tested and science-backed tip to help shorten the duration of a cold.[*] So it makes sense that the backbone of a really good chicken soup — chicken bone broth — may be the best bone broth for colds.
According to research, chicken bone broth may give your immunity a helping hand. It lowers inflammation and helps your body naturally overcome upper respiratory tract infections.[*] It may even prove beneficial for allergies and asthma.
💪 BEEF BONE BROTH MAY SUPPORT BETTER GUT HEALTH
What's the best bone broth for leaky gut? While both beef and chicken bone broth contain gelatin, beef bone broth generally packs more.
Since beef bone broth contains a higher overall concentration of collagen and simmers longer than chicken bone broth, there's not only more collagen to break down but more time for that collagen to break down into gelatin.
Gelatin may soothe and repair your gut lining to prevent or treat leaky gut syndrome.[*] It may also improve digestion and relieve gastrointestinal woes from IBS, IBD, SIBO, ulcerative colitis, food intolerances, and more.[*][*][*] It may even enhance the growth of beneficial gut bacteria to support a healthier gut microbiome.[*]
Happy gut, happy you!
🦵 CHICKEN BONE BROTH MAY SUPPORT HEALTHY BONES + JOINTS
Joint pain is one of the most common types of chronic pain, and osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two leading causes. There's currently no preventive or curative treatment available.
However, research is finally revealing the beneficial potential of bone broth for joints. Bone broth, rich in collagen, glucosamine, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin, may help reduce joint pain and stiffness while improving flexibility, mobility, and overall joint health.[*][*][*]
Chicken bone broth benefits joint health specifically because it packs more type II collagen than beef broth. Type II takes the crown for joints needing TLC and may help manage inflammatory pain.[*][*]
In one study, supplementing with just 5 grams of collagen significantly reduced
knee pain, joint pain during walking and at rest, joint stiffness, and movement restriction.[*] Psst! Our Instant Bone Broth delivers 10 grams of collagen protein per serving!
Researchers also noticed that chicken bone broth increased bone mineral density and bone volume/tissue volume to slow osteoporosis progression in a different study.[*]
🐶 Did you know that many paw-rents are turning to bone broth for dogs as a natural way to support their joint health and mobility?
BEEF VS. CHICKEN BONE BROTH: WHICH ONE'S BEST FOR YOU?
So, which bone broth reigns supreme? The truth is, there's no single "winner"!
Both beef and chicken bone broth offer unique health benefits, making them ideal for different situations and your individual needs. So here's a cheat sheet to help you pick your perfect sip:
CHOOSE BEEF BROTH IF YOU WANT TO:
- Soothe and repair your gut lining
- Boost your collagen intake for glowing skin
- Improve your snooze time
CHOOSE CHICKEN BROTH IF YOU WANT TO:
- Enjoy the most easily digestible bone broth
- Support your immune system or fight off a cold
- Relieve stiff, achy joints and level up your flexibility or mobility
WHY NOT BOTH? EMBRACE THE BEST OF BROTH WORLDS
Why limit yourself to just one type of bone broth? Create a broth cycle, switching between beef and chicken bone broth, to reap the benefits of both and experience the full spectrum of bone broth magic! ✨
But can you drink bone broth every day? Absolutely — and your body will love you for it! Check out these ideas to add both beef and chicken broth into your healthy routine:
- MORNING BOOST. Begin your day with a mug of beef broth for a collagen kick and a gut-loving start. Or add mild, hardly-know-its-there chicken broth to your AM smoothie!
- POST-WORKOUT POWER UP. Stay hydrated and replenish your electrolytes with bone broth post-exercise.
- HYDRATION AND OPTIMAL ELECTROLYTE BALANCE. Bone broth contains electrolytes like sodium, magnesium, and potassium to ensure peak mental and physical performance and prevent dehydration, especially after a workout.[*]
- COZY NIGHTTIME SIP. Unwind before bed with a mug of calming beef broth to encourage better sleep.
- TRY A BONE BROTH CLEANSE. Whether replacing a single meal with bone broth or feasting only on this golden elixir for three days, the benefits of a bone broth cleanse may be just what your body needs.
- EXPLORE NEW FLAVORS! Beef and chicken bone broth make stellar flavor vessels. Expand your taste buds' horizons with Ramen, Lemon Ginger, Thai Coconut, and more restaurant-inspired bone broth creations!
🚀 Want to elevate your bone broth game? Check our guide on How To Make Bone Broth Taste Better! You'll find bone broth add-ins, recipe tips, and more to keep your new wellness ritual exciting!
START SIPPING, START THRIVING WITH BARE BONES BROTH
Bone broth, whether beef or chicken, can be a valuable addition to your health and wellness strategy. With its beneficial collagen and natural gut-soothing and joint-friendly properties, it may be the tastiest and most nourishing way to support your overall well-being.
Get the most out of every sip with Bare Bones Broth. Our grass-fed beef bone broth and chicken bone broth options are simmered to perfection using non-GMO ingredients.
🥳 Our Instant Bone Broth “rip sticks” make experiencing that brothy goodness easier and more convenient than ever — just rip, mix, and sip — anywhere, anytime!
Our mission at Bare Bones is to meet you where you are and nourish you with real, whole-food-based nutrients in the form that best fits your lifestyle. It's time to savor the ancestral power of bone broth and start sipping your way to a healthier, happier you! 🙌
