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A Marie Claire report examining bone broth’s skin and wellness claims found that the drink provides some protein and amino acids, but strong clinical evidence that bone broth itself improves skin is lacking. Experts say nutrition varies by product, collagen supplement findings do not automatically apply to broth, and regular drinkers should check sodium levels.
A Marie Claire report reviewing bone broth’s claimed beauty benefits found that there is not strong clinical evidence that drinking the broth directly improves skin hydration, elasticity, firmness or wrinkles. A registered dietitian, dermatologist and OB-GYN interviewed for the report said bone broth can provide protein and amino acids, but its nutritional content varies and findings from collagen supplement studies cannot be assumed to apply to broth.
Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones and connective tissue in water, sometimes with meat, vegetables and seasonings. Registered dietitian Valerie Agyeman told Marie Claire that it is commonly cooked for eight to 24 hours or longer. A cup may contain about five to 10 grams of protein, according to the report, though the amount depends on preparation and brand. Agyeman recommends using it as an addition to meals rather than as a main protein source.
The report distinguishes bone broth from standardized collagen supplements. Dermatologist Morgana Colombo said some studies of hydrolyzed collagen supplements have reported modest skin hydration and elasticity improvements, but the evidence is mixed. Those results do not establish that a cup of broth has the same effect: collagen amounts in broth can vary, and the report says they may not be listed separately on product labels. “Consuming more collagen does not automatically mean your skin will produce more collagen,” Colombo said.
Bone broth’s mineral content also varies. Agyeman said consumers should not assume it is a reliable source of calcium simply because it is made from bones; dietary calcium, vitamin D and protein matter for bone health, and dairy products or fortified alternatives are generally more dependable calcium sources. OB-GYN Jennifer Choe said evidence specifically supporting bone broth for women’s health is limited. The report also flags sodium as a concern with some packaged products, particularly for people watching their blood pressure.
What Skin Claims the Evidence Supports
The distinction matters because bone broth is often promoted online as a route to glowing skin and broader health benefits. The experts quoted in the report do not say the drink has no nutritional value; rather, they caution that its nutrients and potential effects should not be confused with proven skin treatment. For readers weighing daily use, the available information supports treating broth as a food choice, not a guaranteed beauty intervention.
It also puts collagen research in perspective. Studies involving a defined dose of a particular supplement do not show that all collagen-containing foods produce the same outcome. According to Colombo, genetics, age, hormones, UV exposure and nutritional status all influence collagen production. The report does not establish that bone broth prevents wrinkles, increases skin firmness or strengthens bones.
Practical considerations may be more immediate than the beauty claims: a serving’s protein contribution can be modest, calcium content may be low, and sodium can differ widely between products. Checking nutrition labels helps consumers judge what a particular broth provides rather than relying on general claims about the category.
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From Traditional Food to Wellness Trend
Bone broth is not a new preparation, although its recent visibility has been amplified by celebrities and wellness influencers, including on TikTok, according to the Marie Claire report. The article notes that broth has long been made in family kitchens, including in the writer’s family in Pakistan. Its current popularity has brought renewed attention to claims about skin, joints, gut health and women’s health.
The report describes a basic preparation of bones and connective tissue simmered in water, with optional meat, vegetables and seasonings. Long cooking is intended to draw out gelatin and other compounds. Ready-made products are widely available, but recipes and labels differ, so one product’s nutritional profile cannot stand in for all bone broth.
Several of the broader health claims remain less established than social-media promotion may suggest. Agyeman told the publication that claims about bone broth improving gut health, reducing inflammation or making skin look younger have not been well established in research on bone broth itself. Choe also cautioned that evidence on collagen peptides taken with calcium and vitamin D in postmenopausal women does not prove that broth alone prevents osteoporosis.
““It can help you get some protein, but it usually doesn’t provide as much as a typical serving of chicken, fish, or Greek yogurt.””
— Valerie Agyeman, registered dietitian, as quoted by Marie Claire
Questions About Dose and Long-Term Effects
The report does not identify a standard serving or collagen dose for bone broth that has been shown to improve skin. Product composition varies, and the amount of collagen may not appear on the label, making it difficult to compare a serving with the specific doses used in supplement studies. The report also does not provide a clinical trial showing that bone broth itself changes skin outcomes.
Details about possible contaminants are not fully developed in the supplied report text: it ends during a discussion of concerns raised by Choe. It therefore does not provide enough information to characterize the nature or level of any such risk. Nor does the report establish that bone broth prevents osteoporosis, treats skin conditions or produces long-term health benefits. These questions remain separate from its basic role as a food that can supply varying amounts of protein and other nutrients.
Check Labels Before Making It Routine
For people who choose to drink bone broth, the experts’ guidance in the report points to practical steps rather than a promised skin result: check protein and sodium on the nutrition label, compare products and treat broth as part of a varied diet. Anyone seeking more protein or calcium may need other foods or fortified products, since broth’s amounts are variable and may be modest.
Further research directly testing bone broth would be needed to establish whether it improves skin hydration, elasticity or firmness, and whether any effects depend on a particular recipe, serving size or duration of use. Until then, claims about a daily cup as a skin remedy remain unconfirmed. The report provides no new study or upcoming research milestone, so the evidence picture may change only as more direct clinical research becomes available.
Key Questions
Does bone broth make skin glow?
The report cites no strong clinical evidence that drinking bone broth directly improves skin hydration, elasticity, firmness or wrinkles. It contains collagen-derived proteins and amino acids, but that alone does not establish a visible skin benefit.
Is bone broth a good source of protein?
A cup may provide about five to 10 grams of protein, but amounts vary by product and preparation. Dietitian Valerie Agyeman said it generally supplies less protein than a typical serving of chicken, fish or Greek yogurt.
Does bone broth provide enough calcium for bone health?
Not necessarily. The report says relatively little calcium may make its way into the finished broth, and amounts vary. Agyeman pointed to dairy products and calcium-fortified alternatives as more reliable calcium sources.
Can collagen supplement studies prove bone broth works for skin?
No. Some studies of hydrolyzed collagen supplements have reported modest improvements, but the evidence is mixed. The report says those findings cannot be applied automatically to broth because collagen content and doses differ.
What should I check before drinking bone broth regularly?
Review the label for sodium and protein, compare brands, and do not assume the product is a substantial source of calcium or collagen. The report particularly flags sodium for people who are watching their blood pressure.
Source: rss
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