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A Marie Claire report examining bone broth’s skin and wellness claims found that experts do not see strong clinical evidence that drinking it directly improves skin. Bone broth can provide protein and amino acids, but its nutrient content varies, and packaged versions may be high in sodium.
A Marie Claire report on bone broth and skin health found that experts see no strong clinical evidence that drinking bone broth directly improves hydration, elasticity, firmness or wrinkles. The report’s dietitian, dermatologist and OB-GYN said broth can supply protein and amino acids, but its nutrients vary by product and it should not be treated as a proven route to glowing skin or stronger bones.
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 generally cooked for eight to 24 hours or longer. A cup may contain about five to 10 grams of protein, although the amount depends on the preparation and brand.
Agyeman said broth can contribute protein and amino acids, including glycine and proline, but usually supplies less protein than a typical serving of chicken, fish or Greek yogurt. She recommended using it as an addition to meals rather than a main protein source. Collagen and mineral levels can also vary; the report cautions that consumers should check labels rather than assume bone broth is a substantial source of calcium or other nutrients.
Board-certified dermatologist Morgana Colombo said research has not established that bone broth itself improves skin hydration, elasticity, firmness or wrinkles. Some studies of hydrolyzed collagen supplements have reported modest skin benefits, but those findings do not show that a cup of broth has the same effect: the amount and form of collagen differ. OB-GYN Jennifer Choe also said evidence for bone broth specifically supporting women’s health is limited.
What Skin Claims the Evidence Supports
The report matters because bone broth is often promoted online as a beauty and wellness remedy, while the evidence described by the specialists is more limited. The distinction is between collagen-containing food and a demonstrated skin treatment: the presence of collagen-derived proteins in broth does not prove that drinking it will change how skin looks.
Colombo noted that collagen production is affected by age, genetics, hormones, UV exposure and nutritional status. She said consuming more collagen does not automatically mean the body will produce more. Studies of specific collagen supplements cannot be assumed to establish the effects of bone broth, whose collagen content is not standardized. For consumers, the practical takeaway is to view broth as a food choice rather than a reliably proven beauty intervention.
The same caution applies to bone-health marketing. Choe said research on collagen peptides taken alongside calcium and vitamin D in postmenopausal women does not establish that bone broth alone prevents osteoporosis or strengthens bones. Agyeman pointed to getting sufficient calcium, vitamin D and protein through the overall diet; dairy and calcium-fortified alternatives are more reliable calcium sources than broth.
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From Traditional Food to Wellness Trend
Bone broth is not a new food, though the Marie Claire report describes its recent popularity among wellness influencers and on social media. The writer also noted family traditions of making it in Pakistan, illustrating that the modern wellness trend draws on a preparation used in different communities over generations.
The article defines bone broth as a long-simmered preparation and notes that ready-made versions are widely sold. Its popularity has been accompanied by claims about gut health, inflammation, skin and joints. Agyeman said those broader claims have not been well established in research on bone broth itself. The report therefore focuses on separating the broth’s nutritional contribution from claims that go beyond what has been shown.
One relevant comparison is collagen supplements. Colombo said some clinical studies of hydrolyzed collagen have reported modest improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, but the evidence remains mixed. Those products use particular forms and doses; bone broth varies in preparation and collagen content. The report does not treat findings about supplements as proof of equivalent results from food.
““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
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Limits in the Bone Broth Evidence
The report does not identify large, definitive clinical trials showing that bone broth improves skin, and the experts describe the evidence for those effects as limited or not well established. It also does not provide a single collagen amount for a cup of broth: levels can vary with ingredients, cooking and product, and labels may not list collagen separately.
It remains unclear whether any particular bone broth product, consumed at a specific amount or frequency, would produce measurable skin benefits. Findings from trials of standardized collagen supplements do not answer that question. The article also raises concern about sodium in packaged broth, especially for people monitoring blood pressure, but does not give a universal sodium level across brands. The supplied source text ends before completing its discussion of another possible downside, so that concern cannot be specified from the material provided.
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What Consumers Should Check
The Marie Claire report offers no new trial or regulatory decision and does not announce a forthcoming study. For readers considering bone broth, Agyeman’s advice is to check the nutrition label for protein and sodium, compare products, and treat broth as one part of a varied diet rather than a primary protein or calcium source.
The evidence picture could change if future research directly tests bone broth, using clearly described products and amounts, against skin outcomes. Until such findings are available, the specialists’ comments support a measured conclusion: broth can contribute nutrients, but its claimed skin effects remain unproven in strong clinical research.
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Key Questions
Does drinking bone broth make skin glow?
The report’s dermatologist said there is no strong clinical evidence that drinking bone broth directly improves skin hydration, elasticity, firmness or wrinkles. That does not establish that it has no nutritional value; it means a direct skin benefit has not been demonstrated.
Is bone broth a good source of collagen?
Bone broth contains collagen-derived proteins and amino acids, but the amount can vary considerably by preparation and product. Collagen may not be listed separately on the label, so the source does not support assuming every broth provides a particular dose.
Can bone broth replace a protein serving?
A cup may provide around five to 10 grams of protein, according to the report, though amounts vary. Agyeman said that is generally less than a typical serving of chicken, fish or Greek yogurt, and recommended treating broth as an addition to meals.
Does bone broth strengthen bones?
The report does not establish that bone broth alone strengthens bones or prevents osteoporosis. Agyeman said overall intake of calcium, vitamin D and protein is more relevant, while Choe noted that findings on collagen peptides combined with calcium and vitamin D cannot be applied directly to broth.
What should I check before buying bone broth?
Check the label for protein and sodium, and compare brands. Agyeman singled out sodium as a consideration for people watching their blood pressure; nutrient content, including collagen, can vary between products.
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