THE HEALING POWER OF BROTH

BROTHS ARE A NOURISHING AND HEALING FOOD THAT CAN SUPPORT THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM AND PROMOTE OVERALL HEALTH.

They are usually made by simmering bones, meat, and/or vegetables in water for an extended period, which allows the nutrients and minerals to be extracted from the ingredients and into the broth.

Broths and soups are a staple for all ancestral diets around the world. In Chinese medicine, they are seen as essential and needed to support the body in recovering from any condition.

Nourishing the digestive system: Broths are rich in nutrients that are beneficial for the digestive system, such as collagen, gelatine, and amino acids. These nutrients can support the production of stomach acid and other digestive juices and promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria. It can help restore the gut lining in situations of leaky gut or gut permeability syndrome.

Supporting stomach fluids: In Chinese medicine, the stomach is considered to be the origin of fluids in the body. Broths are believed to support the production of stomach fluids, which are involved in the production of hormones, a healthy immune system and to reduce inflammation

Promoting overall health: Broths are rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are important for overall health. Additionally, broths, particularly bone broth contains collagen which can help to reduce inflammation and support healthy skin, hair, and nails.

Enhancing nutrient absorption: The nutrients in broths are easily absorbed by the body, making them an ideal food for those who have digestive issues or difficulty absorbing nutrients.

Vegetarian healing broths can be made using Miso. The fermented soybean paste, commonly used in Japanese cuisine. It has a rich, savoury flavour and is packed with minerals. Miso broth can be made by combining miso paste with hot water and adding in other ingredients such as seaweed which is a nutrient-dense and rich in iodine.

Simmering mushrooms in water to make a broth or added to other ingredients can harvest nutritional compounds such as beta-glucans. These are complex sugars that have been shown to stimulate the immune system and help fight off infections and diseases. Other compounds found in mushrooms, such as polysaccharides and triterpenes, have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help protect the body against damage from free radicals and chronic inflammation.

I highly recommend that we all have broth every day it can be a small bowl before a main meal or a hot mug of broth at any point of the day.