From bulletproof coffee to oil pulling to eating clay, we’ve seen our fair share of health crazes get their time in the spotlight. Which is why we’re keeping a close watch on one new trend taking off recently: drinking bone broth.Bone broth is actually a staple of the Paleo diet, touted as a superfood full of nutrients that improve gut health and bone health. You can make broth from beef, chicken, turkey or even fish bones. “The essential nutrients from bone broth are protein and more specifically collagen — which is broken down into gelatin during the cooking process—plus omega-3 and calcium,” said nutritionist Leah Kaufman, R.D., C.D.N. “Broth is also hydrating.”Collagen is good for boosting hair, skin and nail health, and some research shows that it increases density of bone mass, making it good for soothing joint pain, Kaufman added. Other amino acids and nutrients found in the cartilidge (plus the omega-3) also soothe inflammation, adding to broth’s healing powers for both joint problems and digestive issues such as leaky gut syndrome and IBS. The gelatin is very effective in healing the gut, promoting easier digestion; calcium and magnesium are key nutrients for bone health.Plus, research has shown that warm broth can actually help cure a cold — the warm liquid helps clear clogged nasal passages and can even help calm the body’s inflammatory response to the cold virus.Capitalizing on both the health benefits of bone broth and the popularity of the Paleo diet, Marco Canora, chef and owner of Hearth in NYC, recently opened the first take-out window serving up piping hot to-go cups of homemade bone broth. At Brodo, which means “broth” in Italian, you can get a classic broth made of either chicken, beef or turkey, with optional add-ins like ginger juice, organic garlic and shiitake mushroom tea.If you’re planning to cheat the system and buy a can of chicken broth from the grocery store, you should know you might not be getting the same benefits. “There may be a difference in store bought canned or boxed versus making your own at home,” Kaufman noted. “Store-bought is cooked for a shorter amount of time at higher temperatures versus the 12 hours it can take up to if made at home.” Also, when it’s homemade, you can control how much salt or flavoring you add. “Any canned products usually contain sodium to help preserve the foods,” Kaufman cautioned.The best way to reap the benefits is to make your own broth at home—here’s a basic recipe. Or, for those in NYC, you can stop by Brodo for a quick cup to-go, or even sign up for a broth subscription service.Related Articles:Study: Cold Weather Actually Does Make Colds WorseEverything You Need to Know About Probiotics & Gut Health

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