Reasons Not to Eat Bone Broth
Bone broth is a stomach-turning liquid that results from simmering someone’s bones in water until they dissolve into a slurry.
If you think that sounds gross, you’re right, and the gentle animals used to make the bone broths available in supermarkets would agree.
Bone broth became popular during the 2010’s paleo fad (a diet widely regarded to increase risk of negative health outcomes like kidney and heart disease). To make it, animals’ bones, skin, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons are simmered in water with vegetables and herbs.
Bone Broth = Corpse Consommé
While bone broth is touted as a way to replace the collagen we lose as we age, but research shows that the collagen available in bone broth is negligible. What’s more, the collagen in bone broth reverts to amino acids in the body, and there’s no guarantee they’ll then be used to build skin or joints.
Experts have also warned of the risk of heavy metal poisoning linked to bone broth consumption, with one study revealing that a chicken bone broth sample contained more than ten times more lead than water. Nutritionists also warn of the high sodium levels found in many bone broths.
No bones about it – when it comes to nourishing your body, feeding your brain, and lowering your disease risk, only being vegan is good sh*t.
Many experts now agree that one of the biggest factors in overall health is gut health, specifically, the diversity of our gut biome. One 2025 study of over 20,000 participants found that the gut microbiomes of vegans are healthier than those of vegetarians and of people who eat meat (including bone broth), eggs, and dairy. The study also found that the more favourable gut microbiome of those on animal-free diets was associated with better cardiometabolic outcomes than in non-vegans.
Every Skeleton Supports Someone
The animals who end up in bone broth – usually cows, fish, and chickens, but also ducks, turkeys, lambs, deer, and others – were living, feeling individuals, each with a unique personality.
Cows, bulls, and steers form lasting friendships and miss their companions if parted. Sheep can recognise hundreds of faces and understand facial expressions, and chickens and turkeys enjoy complex social hierarchies and rich communication.
Before being chopped up for bone broth, animals are confined to filthy, crowded farms, and subjected to painful mutilations before being violently killed and dismembered.
There’s no proof of the health claims around bone broth, but it does increase the profits of slaughterhouses.
You Don’t Need Their Bones for Your Skin
Savoury vegan broths made with herbs, spices, vegetables, fungi, seaweed, and miso (which are great for nourishing the skin) are rich in umami flavour and easy to whip up at home or grab at the supermarket.
As for collagen, there are now loads of vegan collagen products available that contain the essential amino acids the body needs to produce its own collagen – without harming anyone.
Go Vegan for Animals, Your Health and The Planet
Animals’ bones belong in their bodies, not our broth! You can help them, boost your health, and lower your carbon footprint by eating vegan. Download your FREE Vegan Starter Kit Today!
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