Bone broth has over the last couple of years taken the world by storm. With a long list of health benefits that include improving bone health, relieving joint pain, a host of gastric issues and improved skin. It has earned its popularity. However, some people are not fans of bone broth for a host of reasons that include not enjoying the taste, the preparation or simply the idea. One alternative that has been touted to bone broth is gelatin. How does gelatin compare to bone broth? Is it a viable substitute? First, let’s be clear on what both bone broth and gelatin are.
Contents
Bone Broth
Bone broth is simply broth as we have always known it, animal bones that are boiled and seasoned, sometimes with herbs and spices but mostly with just salt. The broth is boiled for hours to extract collagen and marrow from the bones to flavour the broth. This sounds similar to stock but there are small differences between broth and stock that do count. Stock tends to use more bones than traditional broth and so has more gelatin making it thicker. Stock is normally left unseasoned or unsalted as this is added in the recipe that it is used in while the broth is salted at least. So what we call bone broth is somewhere between stock and traditional broth. As for the school of thought that bone broth is just soup, they aren’t wrong. The broth is the same as soup especially when it is made with vegetables and herbs added and can be served as a standalone meal.
Gelatin
Gelatin is a naturally occurring substance in mammals. Gelatin is found in the connective tissue in the bones and joints. That form when in the animal is known as collagen and gelatin is extracted from this, dried and sold as powder, granules or sheets. Gelatin is a combination of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. It is valued for its health benefits as it is a host of essential proteins that our bodies use and can help with many health-related issues. Gelatin is extracted from bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and skin of animals such as cows and pigs. Gelatin has found popularity as a health supplement because it helps with bone health, ligaments and skin health. The protein collagen is the main protein found in gelatin and responsible for these health benefits. The two are used for similar purposes so let’s examine the differences between the two across various attributes.
Nutritional Profile
The biggest difference the two is the nutritional profile. This also happens to be the difference that will matter most to those who are taking them for health reasons. Gelatin is a great source of collagen a vital source of amino acids. Gelatin contains 18 amino acids and most important among them are glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, and arginine which are important for many chemical processes in the body. Bone broth, because of its source ingredients, mainly bones and the connective tissue around them contains a large amount of gelatin. Bone broth however also contains many essential nutrients derived from the bones and bone marrow including but not limited to calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulphur, and potassium. While bone broth is miles ahead in the nutrition department it is worth considering the specific reason you want to consume bone broth or gelatin. If you intend to increase your protein or amino acid intake or to help with your skin then gelatin may suffice. If it is for general or any other reasons outside the aforementioned then you will be better off with bone broth from a nutritional perspective.
Preparation
One of the best things about bone broth is the fact that you can and you should make it by yourself at home. While there are commercially available versions of bone broth out there making it by yourself ensures you know exactly what goes into the bone broth. Commercial versions can be high in sodium. Making bone broth at home is a very easy process that may take some time but is as easy as placing all your ingredients in a pot and slow cooking. If your bones of choice are red meat you can roast the bones before to enhance the flavour. It is so easy to make bone broth at home. Gelatin is commercially available as powder or granules and is usually added to recipes the same way you would bone broth or traditional stock. Gelatin is very easy to prepare in this regard. It isn’t easy to extract, however.
Availability
What is easier to find depends on your approach. If you’re going to make bone broth yourself you should have absolutely no trouble finding bones where you normally by meat. If however, you prefer to buy your bone broth the availability is a little bit more tricky. Some retailers sell bone broth online, but they are a handful. The gelatin on the other hand is widely available in your local supermarket or speciality ingredients store. So unless you prefer buying your bone broth ready-made bone broth is going to be more available or at least the bones and other ingredients required to make it.
Between bone broth and gelatin, the battle goes to bone broth, hands down. The nutritional profile alone delivers victory. Bone broth, in addition to collagen which gelatin provides also, adds a host of essential minerals and electrolytes. Bone broth is very easy to prepare in the home and while commercial versions are available making your own is recommended.