Does Chicken Bone Broth Help You Poop? The Evidence

Does Drinking Chicken Broth Make You Poop?

Chicken broth has recently grown popular as a gut-friendly food that can help with digestion. Some claim that sipping on bone broth made from chicken can help relieve constipation and even induce bowel movements. But is there any truth to the belief that chicken broth makes you poop?

This article explores the evidence behind using chicken bone broth for digestive regularity. Read on to learn if and why this savory soup ingredient truly acts as a natural laxative.

The Potential Digestion-Promoting Effects of Chicken Broth

To understand if chicken broth makes you poop, it helps to know why it may offer digestive benefits in the first place. Here are some of the top theories behind bone broth's gut-healthy hype:

Contains Gelatin and Collagen

When animal bones like chicken carcasses simmer for hours, the collagen leaches out into the water as gelatin, a soft protein. Some research suggests gelatin can soothe intestinal inflammation and reinforce gut barrier integrity to support healthy digestion.

Rich Source of Electrolytes

Homemade and quality store-bought chicken broths provide various electrolytes like potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and sodium. Electrolytes help carry signals through the nerves and muscles that line the digestive tract to keep food moving smoothly through.

Contains Glutamine

Glutamine comprises almost a third of all amino acids in chicken broth, especially when using bone-in chicken parts. This amino acid serves as the preferred fuel source for intestinal cells and may promote gut self-repair after infection or injury.

Packs Gut-Friendly Minerals

In addition to electrolytes, genuine chicken bone broth made by simmering bones contains trace minerals like selenium, iron, and zinc from the bones. These support the good gut bacteria linked to easier, faster transit time through the intestines.

The Potential Laxative Effects

Thanks to its stellar nutritional profile, proponents argue chicken bone broth offers constipation relief in several ways, including:

Soothes Intestinal Inflammation

Gelatin may calm inflammation in the gut lining associated with hard, painful stools. This anti-inflammatory effect allows the intestines to contract and move stool along normally again for more comfortable bowel movements.

Strengthens Gut Motility

Between collagen, glutamine, and electrolytes, bone broth provides intestines the strength and signaling compounds that control muscle contractions to push food through. This optimizes motility for more prompt, complete evacuations.

Hydrates the Colon

Dehydration notoriously causes constipation, while fluids help soften and move along waste more easily. Sipping bone broth floods intestines and stool with moisture needed to propel poop through the pipes.

Feeds Beneficial Bacteria

Bone broth components like glutamine and trace minerals nourish good gut flora, which then send chemical signals to stimulate secretion and absorption. More active intestines and microbes facilitate timely, efficient bowel movements.

Scientific Research on Chicken Bone Broth and Pooping

Studies specifically analyzing chicken bone broths effects on constipation currently dont exist. However, related research lends plausibility to the digestive health claims.

9-Day Broth Diet Study

In one small study, participants followed a 9-day liquid diet where they drank at least two cups of bone broth soups from chicken, fish, or beef each day while abstaining from solid foods. The simple soups acted as natural laxatives, with subjects reporting improved bowel regularity and softer stools versus their normal diets.

Gelatin Research

Early studies show supplemental collagen protein like gelatin from bone broth may reduce inflammation in intestines affected by IBS to reduce abdominal pain and constipation symptoms. More data is still needed to solidify conclusions.

Glutamine Trials

Additional research discovers glutamine tends to draw more fluid into the colon to soften stool and enable easier passing. This confirms broths hydrating, electrolyte-rich nature can facilitate more frequent, gentle bowel movements.

How to Make Poop-Inducing Chicken Broth

To fully unlock chicken broths potential constipation-relieving powers, be sure to make it correctly using these tips:

Use Bones

Chicken meat alone wont cut it. You need actual chicken bones like carcasses, necks, backs, and feet to extract collagen and gelatin during slow cooking. More bone also means more gut-healthy glutamine, electrolytes, and minerals too.

Blend Parts

For maximum nutrients, use a mix of bony parts like whole chicken carcasses plus necks, wings, backs, and feet. The variety ensures sufficient gelatin and glutamine extraction into the broth for drinking.

Simmer Low and Slow

Dont boil bones on high. Gentle simmering between 190F and 200F for at least 12 hours and up to 48 hours coaxes the most collagen, glutamine, electrolytes into homemade broth for bowels.

Strain Well

Chewing on bits of bone and connective tissue defeats drinking broths otherwise smooth laxative effects. Strain using a very fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth before using the liquid for sipping or cooking.

Who Shouldnt Use Chicken Broth as a Laxative

While gentle and effective for most, a few groups should exercise caution with broth-based constipation cures:

Anyone with Severe Dehydration

Because broth pulls fluids into the intestines, those already dangerously fluid-depleted can worsen electrolyte imbalances. Severe dehydration requires medical treatment, not homemade chicken soup.

People Prone to Electrolyte Issues

For people with cardiac, kidney, endocrine, or other conditions causing electrolyte disturbances, broth's high sodium and mineral content may do more harm than good if not balanced properly.

Those with Ulcerative Colitis or Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD)

Drinking bone broth wont likely impact these chronic intestinal conditions for better or worse. But the gut still remains hypersensitive, so proceed gently and stop if symptoms flare.

Anyone Unable to Digest Protein-Rich Foods

Gelatin-rich chicken broth is high-protein, so those lacking the stomach enzymes or gut transporters to process proteins could develop unpleasant side effects like gas, bloating, or diarrhea.

Using Chicken Broth Safely and Effectively

If chicken broth doesnt pose health hazards for you, consider these tips for harnessing its healthy poop potential:

Drink It Straight

Skip the noodles and vegetables when broths bowel-moving benefits are the goal. Plain chicken bone broth delivers optimal nutrition able to stimulate easy passage of stool.

Slowly Sip Through the Day

Guzzling a whole mugful on an empty stomach may cause unpleasant cramping or urgency. Pace intake by gradually sipping broth over several hours for gentler coaxing of poop.

Pair It with Light Exercise

Combining gentle walking or yoga poses that twist or compress the abdomen after drinking broth can really get things moving through the pipes thanks to the digestive-stimulating synergy at work.

Give It Time

While some observe a bowel movement within 30 minutes to an hour, chicken broth usually takes 6-12 hours to soften then pass stools. So drink it today for relief tomorrow.

The Verdict: Does Chicken Broth Make You Poop?

In conclusion, genuine chicken bone broth containing collagen and

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.