Buying guide for best bone broth protein powder
Bone broth is all the rage in the health and wellness world as the latest nutrient-rich superfood, so it comes as no surprise that protein powder derived from bone broth is a big hit on the protein supplement market. Bone broth protein powder is typically made from concentrated bone broth and provides nutritional benefits without the fuss of making your own broth or buying it from expensive specialty butchers.
If you’re in the market for a powder that packs a high-protein punch, these products offer as much as 20 grams of protein per serving. Are you on a special diet? A bone broth protein powder may be your best option.
Our buying guide and recommendations can help you sort through the health claims of this supplemental powder so you can make an informed choice.
Key considerations
What is bone broth?
Bone broth is made by simmering bones and connective tissue from animals, usually cattle or poultry, for 10, 20, even 48 hours to release beneficial collagen, gelatin, and protein from the bones. The long cooking process also releases essential amino acids and minerals that are lacking in the average diet, as well as other beneficial components like glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid.
Benefits of bone broth protein powder
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It is a real food protein supplement that is highly absorbable by the body.
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It contains a higher level of protein (typically 20 grams) than sipping on bone broth in liquid form (typically 6 grams).
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It contains collagen, which supports healthy skin, hair, nails, gut, and joints. Collagen is also touted for relieving joint pain and boosting immunity.
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It is gut-friendly. It’s gentle on the stomach and soothes gut inflammation. Some claim it can heal “leaky gut.”
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It contains essential minerals and anti-inflammatory amino acids not found in other protein supplements.
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It helps with metabolism and weight loss.
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It contains the amino acid glycine, which supports detoxification.
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It’s less expensive than store-bought bone broth, which can cost $10 per cup.
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It’s less time-consuming and messy than making your own bone broth.
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It’s compatible with paleo and ketogenic diets, as well as dairy-, soy-, and gluten-free.
Bone broth powder features
Grass-fed animals: Look for a bone broth protein powder that’s derived from grass-fed (also called “pasture-raised”) animals. A grain-free product boosts the anti-inflammatory benefits of bone broth. It’s also compatible with a paleo diet.
Dissolvability: Protein powder is often added to smoothies or juices before ingesting. Bone broth protein powder can also be mixed in hot or cold plain water to drink. Because of the collagen content of this powder, it tends to clump or foam. Some products mix better than others.
Unflavored vs. flavored: This comes down to personal preference. Some unflavored bone broth protein powder tastes unpleasant. Some manufacturers offer protein powder flavored with vanilla, chocolate, or coffee, which is more palatable when mixed with water or added to a smoothie. Conversely, you might not want to add any flavor to your smoothie or juice, so an unflavored powder is desirable.
Collagen: While bone broth protein powder boasts Type II collagen content, some brands contain an extra boost of collagen in the form of collagen peptides (Type I, Type II, and Type III collagen).
Sweeteners: If you have a sweet tooth but value your health, look for a product sweetened naturally with stevia or monk fruit. Some bone broth protein powder contains sugar, often in the form of cane sugar, which should be avoided if you’re mindful of your glucose intake. Unflavored powder or products labeled “pure” generally don’t contain sugar or natural sweeteners.
Turmeric: Manufacturers of bone broth protein powder have gotten inventive not only with flavors (s’mores, anyone?) but also with combining the powder with other health supplements, such as turmeric. Turmeric is an herb that boasts anti-inflammatory benefits and pain-relieving properties.
Did you know?
Most bone broth protein powder is compatible with paleo, ketogenic, and Whole30 diets.
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Bone broth powder prices
Most bone broth protein powder comes in a 15- to 17-ounce container with enough servings to last 20 to 30 days. You can find non-GMO, grass-fed bone broth protein powder for $23 to $25. Mid-priced bone broth protein powder costs around $30. Products from name brands cost between $40 and $50. Larger containers that hold 25 to 40 ounces are double the price.
Tips
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Add bone broth protein powder to pancake batter. If you’re not a smoothie or juice drinker, you can still get an extra boost of protein at breakfast.
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Try it in the morning instead of coffee. If you’re trying to kick caffeine, mix bone broth protein powder in a cup of hot water for a non-jittery source of energy.
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Drink water with bone broth protein powder between meals. If you’re dieting, mix a serving of bone broth protein powder in water to help curb food cravings.
- Don’t like the taste of protein powder? Try a flavored bone broth protein powder, like coffee, vanilla, or banana cream.
Other products we considered
Being health conscious and taking care of your body shouldn’t drive you into bankruptcy. This is why we love YounGlo Research Bone Broth Protein Powder. At an entry-level price, this unflavored powder gives you more protein-packed servings at a lower price. Plus, it checks all the health nut’s boxes: grass-fed beef that contains no hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides; no GMOs; and free of soy, dairy, gluten, and sugar.
#GetBrothed Original Bone Broth Protein Powder is another quality supplement that’s more affordable. With 30 servings of 20 grams of protein each, this paleo-friendly protein powder is popular for its taste, especially if you’re a chocolate lover.
FAQ
Q. What is the difference between bone broth and regular broth?
A. What differentiates bone broth from conventional broth or stock is the length of time the bones are simmered and what part of the animal is used. A nutrient-rich bone broth utilizes animal parts that are loaded with collagen but not usually part of the average person’s diet, such as knuckles, hooves, and chicken feet. Regular broth and stock are only simmered for a few hours, and while the meat of the animal is included, connective tissue is not. Only by slow-simmering bones and connective tissue for hours can high levels of collagen and gelatin be extracted.
Q. How do the benefits of bone broth powder differ from the benefits of whey protein powder?
A. Bone broth protein powder is more nutrient-packed than some other protein powders. It contains collagen, gelatin, hyaluronic acid, amino acids, certain minerals, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Whey protein powder is also rich in specific amino acids (all protein contains amino acids, which are their building blocks), but it doesn’t have these other beneficial components. You can get the amino acids that whey contains from your diet if you consume meat, eggs, and dairy.
Q. How much nutrient value is in a serving of bone broth protein powder as compared to drinking straight bone broth?
A. It depends on the quality of the brand, but typically, one scoop of bone broth protein powder is equivalent in nutritional value to 2.5 cups of liquid bone broth. If you’re not a fan of drinking bone broth (it is an acquired taste), supplementing with a protein powder is a more palatable option, and a cost-efficient one to boot.
