A Cup Of Bone Broth Can Have Up To 20 Grams Of Protein

When the weather gets chilly, you instinctively reach for something warm and soothing to sip. And while yummy hot chocolate is an awesome treat, there’s another buzzy beverage that’s even better for you: bone broth.

Don’t get bone broth confused with stock, though: “Bone broth is made by boiling bones from chicken, beef, or turkey, and will usually cook for more than 24 hours,” says Brittany Modell, RD, CDN. “Stock is usually water simmered with vegetables and animal bones. The cooking time for stock tends to be shorter.”

That prolonged cook time allows cartilage in the bones and connective tissues of the meat to break down into collagen protein—and into the broth. “A cup of bone broth can have up to 20 grams of protein,” says Lauren Slayton, RD. “It also has a ton of other vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, as well as collagen protein, which I like to call nature’s Botox!” Some initial research in animals suggests that the gelatin (a substance collagen can turn into) in bone broth may support a healthy gut; while other studies suggest bone broth can boost joint health.

You can always make your own bone broth, but if you’re strapped for time, store bought is totally fine. Slayton recommends buying ones made with organic and grass-fed meat whenever possible, since you’re basically distilling (and consuming) the essence of the bones. And bone broth is not just for sipping. You can use it as a base for sauces and stews, or use it to replace some oil when cooking vegetables, fish or meat, suggests Modell.

Here are the best bone broths to buy, according to nutritionists.