Bone broth can be a savory snack when sipped from a mug or bowl, and sometimes it’s even added as an ingredient to other drinks. But can it benefit your liver? Some people with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) wonder whether bone broth can contribute to a healthy eating plan.

While there’s no single diet for PBC that doctors recommend, some foods contain nutrients that may contribute to liver health. Find out if bone broth is safe to eat and whether it has any risks or benefits for people with PBC.

What Is Bone Broth?

Bone broth has long been known as a base for making soups. Over the past few years, however, it’s also gained a following as a protein-rich standalone drink and as an additive to other foods. While it’s similar to traditional broth and stock, bone broth is unique in a few ways.

Traditional broth is made by cooking meat and possibly bones in water, along with seasoning and vegetables. It simmers in the pot for two hours or less. Meat stock is made by cooking animal bones with meat on them and simmering them in water with vegetables. Stock usually cooks for four hours to six hours.

The two main factors that differentiate bone broth from stock and broth are the cooking time and the type of bone used. Roasted bones are used to make bone broth. These bones and vegetables are added to a pot of water and simmered for up to 24 hours.

The extended cooking time allows bone broth to have more nutrients than traditional broth or stock. Bone broth contains the following nutrients and structural proteins:

• Calcium
• Protein
• Phosphorus
• Magnesium
• Gelatin

Bone broth also contains collagen, which is rich in amino acids known as arginine and glycine. These are believed to be anti-inflammatory and could contribute to gut health.

When made with low salt, sipping warm bone broth can also help support hydration, which is important for overall health.

Liver-Related Benefits of Bone Broth

Current scientific evidence supporting the use of bone broth for PBC is limited. However, some studies have evaluated whether certain nutrients found in bone broth may be helpful for the liver.

For instance, one study noted that glycine supports detoxification pathways in the liver. This means it may protect your liver from the toxic effects of certain foods or alcoholic beverages.

Other research suggests that arginine may protect against liver damage and could even help promote liver regeneration after liver surgery. But some of these studies were performed on animals, and none of them addressed the effects of amino acids on PBC specifically. More research is needed to evaluate the effects on people with primary biliary cholangitis.

It’s unclear whether bone broth is beneficial for people with PBC. But if you’re interested in consuming some of the nutrients that make bone broth appealing, you can also find them in other foods. For instance, fish options, such as salmon, contain protein and collagen. People with PBC are often advised to consume lean protein options, and fish may fit the bill.

Risks of Consuming Bone Broth

If you eat or drink bone broth, you may be consuming a high amount of sodium (salt). People with PBC are typically advised to cut down on sodium intake to control their PBC symptoms. You may be able to make lower-sodium bone broth if you cook it yourself. This allows you to regulate the amount of sodium in the recipe, which you can’t do if you buy premade broth. You can also buy low-sodium bone broth. To boost flavor without adding salt, try simmering your homemade broth with herbs, spices, and salt-free seasoning blends.

Be sure to speak with your liver specialist or another healthcare provider before adding anything new to your diet. They can advise you about which foods are safe to eat with PBC and may refer you to a dietitian if needed. By following your treatment protocol and sticking to a healthy eating plan, you’ll have a better chance of avoiding PBC flares and complications.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myPBCteam, the social network for people with primary biliary cholangitis and their loved ones, more than 2,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their tips with others who understand life with primary biliary cholangitis.

Have you tried drinking bone broth? How did it impact your PBC symptoms? Share your experiences in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.