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A Marie Claire report featuring a registered dietitian, dermatologist and OB-GYN finds no strong clinical evidence that drinking bone broth directly improves skin hydration, elasticity or wrinkles. Broth can provide some protein and amino acids, but its nutrient content varies, and packaged versions may be high in sodium.
A Marie Claire report reviewing bone broth’s skin and wellness claims found that experts do not have strong clinical evidence that drinking it directly improves skin hydration, elasticity, firmness or wrinkles. The report’s dietitian, dermatologist and OB-GYN say broth can contribute protein and amino acids, but its nutritional content varies and it should not be treated as a proven beauty treatment or a substitute for a balanced diet.
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 to draw out gelatin and other compounds. A cup may contain around five to 10 grams of protein, but the amount depends on the product and preparation.
Agyeman said broth can supply amino acids such as glycine and proline, which the body uses in building and maintaining tissue. But she cautioned that a serving generally provides less protein than chicken, fish or Greek yogurt, and recommended treating it as an addition to meals rather than a main protein source. Collagen and mineral levels also vary; the report advises checking product labels rather than assuming broth is a reliable source of calcium or other nutrients.
Dermatologist Morgana Colombo said studies of hydrolyzed collagen supplements have reported modest improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, but the findings are mixed. Those studies do not establish that a cup of bone broth has the same effects: supplement trials use specific doses of standardized collagen peptides, while broth’s collagen content can vary. OB-GYN Jennifer Choe also said evidence specifically supporting bone broth for women’s health is limited.
What Broth Can—and Cannot—Promise
The distinction matters because bone broth is widely promoted online as a way to get glowing skin, stronger bones and better gut health. The experts quoted in the report draw a narrower conclusion: broth can be a food that contributes protein, but its advertised effects on skin and other aspects of health are not established by strong research on bone broth itself.
That does not mean people need to avoid it. It means consumers should weigh it as a food choice rather than assume it will deliver a cosmetic result. Agyeman said overall dietary protein matters more than relying on broth, while the report notes that sodium content can be a concern in some packaged products, particularly for people monitoring blood pressure. Nutrition labels can help shoppers compare products.
The report also separates research on collagen supplements from claims about broth. Even if some supplement studies show modest changes, those findings cannot automatically be applied to a variable food product. Colombo said genetics, age, hormones, UV exposure and nutritional status also affect collagen production, so consuming collagen does not guarantee increased skin collagen.
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How Bone Broth Fits the Evidence
Bone broth is an old food tradition that has gained renewed visibility through wellness influencers and celebrity-linked trends. The Marie Claire report notes that it is not a new concept, even as social media claims have cast it as a remedy for several health concerns. The article consulted a registered dietitian, dermatologist and OB-GYN to distinguish what is known about the food from broader marketing claims.
For bone health, the report says the presence of bones in the cooking process does not mean the finished broth contains much calcium. Agyeman said getting enough calcium, vitamin D and protein through the overall diet is more relevant, and identified dairy foods and calcium-fortified alternatives as more reliable calcium sources. Choe noted that research involving collagen peptides taken with calcium and vitamin D in postmenopausal women does not show that bone broth alone prevents osteoporosis or strengthens bones.
The article also flags an important comparison: bone broth is not interchangeable with standardized collagen supplements. The quantity and form of collagen in a cup of broth are not necessarily the same as the measured doses used in supplement research. Product recipes and labels differ, so a broad claim about all bone broth cannot be inferred from an individual study of a specific supplement.
““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
What Research Has Not Settled
The report does not establish whether any particular bone broth product, dose or pattern of use improves skin. Collagen content varies, and the report says it may not be listed separately on labels. It also does not identify a standardized serving amount that could be linked to the results reported in collagen supplement studies.
More broadly, the experts say evidence on bone broth itself is limited for claims about skin, gut health and inflammation. The supplied report also begins to raise a concern about possible lead exposure, but the source material ends before providing details or an expert explanation. No conclusion about the level of risk or the products affected can be drawn from the material provided.
The report provides no new clinical trial or direct comparison of broth with other foods or supplements. Its conclusions reflect expert commentary and the research described in the article; how a specific product fits an individual’s dietary needs depends on its label and the person’s circumstances.
Check Labels Before Making It a Habit
For consumers considering regular bone broth, the immediate practical step is to review the protein and sodium information on the product label and compare brands. Broth can be included as a food choice, but the experts cited do not recommend relying on it as a primary protein source or assuming it provides substantial calcium.
The report does not announce a new study or a scheduled follow-up. Stronger conclusions about skin benefits would require research that examines bone broth itself, with its composition and serving amounts clearly measured, rather than relying on studies of standardized collagen supplements. Until then, claims that broth produces a specific cosmetic effect remain unconfirmed by strong clinical evidence.
Key Questions
Does drinking bone broth improve skin?
The Marie Claire report says there is no strong clinical evidence that drinking bone broth directly improves skin hydration, elasticity, firmness or wrinkles. Some collagen supplement studies report modest effects, but they do not establish the same benefit from broth.
How much protein is in a cup of bone broth?
The report says a cup may contain around five to 10 grams of protein. The amount varies by brand and preparation, so check the nutrition label.
Is bone broth a reliable source of calcium?
Not necessarily. The report says relatively little calcium may make it into the finished broth. Agyeman points to dairy foods and calcium-fortified alternatives as more reliable calcium sources.
Can bone broth replace collagen supplements?
The experts quoted do not treat them as interchangeable. Supplement studies use specific doses of standardized collagen peptides, while the collagen content of broth varies with its preparation.
What should I check before drinking bone broth regularly?
Review the product’s sodium and protein content, since packaged varieties differ. People monitoring blood pressure may want to pay particular attention to sodium, according to the dietitian quoted in the report.
Source: rss
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