The Health Benefits of Bone Broth Hot Cocoa
As the weather gets colder and you crave a comforting warm drink, bone broth hot cocoa is the perfect solution. This nourishing beverage combines the gut-healing benefits of bone broth with the antioxidant power of cocoa. Sipping a cup of this mineral-rich hot chocolate is a delicious way to fight inflammation, boost immunity, and improve your overall health.
Bone Broth's Anti-Inflammatory and Immune-Boosting Properties
Bone broth has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its myriad of health benefits. Simmering bones and connective tissue in water for an extended period of time extracts vital nutrients like collagen, gelatin, minerals, and amino acids. This nutrient-dense broth can boost immune function, reduce joint pain, improve sleep, promote skin health, and heal leaky gut.
The collagen and gelatin in bone broth contain anti-inflammatory amino acids like glycine and proline. Consuming these amino acids on a regular basis can help reduce systemic inflammation throughout the body. This helps alleviate joint pain, autoimmune conditions, skin issues, and digestive disorders.
Bone broth is also rich in immune-boosting minerals like zinc, manganese, and selenium. These minerals strengthen the immune system to help fight off viruses and bacteria. When you feel a cold coming on, sipping bone broth provides you with nutrients to battle the illness more effectively.
The Antioxidant Benefits of Cocoa
Cocoa powder is derived from cacao beans which are exceptionally high in antioxidants called polyphenols. These antioxidants have remarkable health benefits including reduced inflammation, improved heart health, and protection against disease.
Cocoa contains flavanols like epicatechin which help fight inflammation and prevent oxidative damage in the body. Epicatechin and other cocoa polyphenols help open blood vessels allowing for improved circulation. Better blood flow supports a healthy cardiovascular system.
The polyphenols in cocoa also have neuroprotective effects which may reduce your risk of stroke, dementia, and Parkinson's disease. Regular cocoa consumption can lower LDL cholesterol while raising HDL cholesterol to improve your overall cholesterol profile.
Recipes and Ingredients for Bone Broth Hot Cocoa
Making bone broth hot cocoa is simple. All you need is:
- Bone broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable)
- Cocoa powder (raw cacao powder is best)
- Milk or milk alternative like coconut milk
- Natural sweetener like maple syrup, coconut sugar, or honey
- Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla
Start by heating up 1-2 cups of bone broth over medium heat until simmering. For a dairy-free option, use coconut milk instead of regular milk. Add in 2-3 tablespoons of cocoa powder and whisk until fully dissolved.
Sweeten the hot cocoa to taste using 1-2 tablespoons of your preferred natural sweetener. Sprinkle in spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavor. For a frothy, latte-like texture you can blend the ingredients together.
Some tasty bone broth hot cocoa recipes to try:
Pumpkin Spice Bone Broth Hot Cocoa
Warm up with the comforting flavors of fall in this pumpkin spice bone broth cocoa. Simply add 1/4 cup pumpkin puree when heating up the broth. Flavor it pumpkin pie spice, maple syrup, and a dash of vanilla.
Mexican Bone Broth Hot Chocolate
Give your cocoa a kick with cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and almond milk. Sweeten with honey and top with shredded coconut for a delightful Mexican-inspired bone broth hot chocolate.
Minty Bone Broth Hot Cocoa
Cool down your hot cocoa with the addition of mint. Use peppermint extract and dried peppermint leaves to infuse the bone broth with refreshing minty goodness. Sweeten with honey and top with cacao nibs.
The Best Bones to Use for Bone Broth
The bones you select will impact the nutrient content of your finished bone broth. Here are some of the best bones to use:
Beef Bones
Beef bones like knuckle, marrow, oxtail, and neck provide you with collagen, gelatin, and minerals like iron, phosphorus, zinc, copper, and manganese. Bone marrow bones also contain healthy fats to make a nutrient-dense broth.
Chicken Carcass
Save chicken carcasses along with the feet and necks to make a broth full of collagen. Chicken bones tend to make a lighter, more mildly flavored broth compared to beef.
Whole Fish
Fish bones from non-oily fish like sole, cod, and halibut produce a broth with inflammation-reducing omega-3 fatty acids. The collagen in the fish bones also provides health benefits.
Tips for Making Your Own Bone Broth at Home
Here are some tips for making the most nutritious batches of bone broth at home:
Use Good Quality Bones
Get the highest quality bones you can from grass-fed, organic animals. Bones from conventionally raised animals are more likely to contain toxins.
Add Vinegar
Adding a splash of apple cider vinegar to the bones and water helps draw out important minerals from the bones as the broth simmers.
Simmer for 24-48 Hours
The longer you simmer the bones, the more nutrients you'll extract. Aim for at least 24 hours of simmering time for maximum health benefits.
Blend It Up
For extra collagen, you can blend up the bones after simmering to incorporate some of the marrow into the broth for added nutrition.
Making your own bone broth at home is cost effective while providing you with a nutritious base for soups, stews, and even hot chocolate! With the addition of antioxidant-rich cocoa powder, bone broth transforms into a delicious inflammation-fighting beverage.
Potential Downsides of Drinking Bone Broth
Although bone broth provides some excellent health benefits, there are a few potential downsides to consider:
High in Sodium
Because bone broth is made by boiling down bones and cartilage, it can end up being high in sodium. Those restricting their salt intake may want to choose low-sodium options.
Contains Lead
The lead content in some bone broths may be elevated depending on the bones used. It's best to use organic bones from grass-fed animals.
Histamine Intolerance
The collagen in bone broth contains the amino acid hydroxyproline which converts to histamine in the body. Those with histamine intolerance may react poorly.
Despite some potential concerns, bone broth remains one of the most nourishing foods you can consume. Pairing it with antioxidant-rich cocoa provides additional anti-inflammatory benefits to support your overall health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bone broth hot chocolate healthy?
Yes, bone broth hot chocolate is a very healthy drink option. The bone broth provides minerals, collagen, amino acids and the cocoa is rich in antioxidants. Together they make an anti-inflammatory beverage that boosts immunity.
What are the benefits of adding cocoa to bone broth?
Adding cocoa to bone broth provides extra antioxidants to fight inflammation. Cocoa contains flavanols like epicatechin which reduce oxidative stress and vascular inflammation. This stacks on top of the anti-inflammatory amino acids found in the broth.
Is bone broth hot chocolate good for leaky gut?
Yes, sipping bone broth cocoa is an excellent way to heal leaky gut. The collagen and gelatin in bone broth help seal up holes in the intestinal lining. When combined with cocoa's anti-inflammatory properties, this hot chocolate can help repair gut permeability.
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