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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. Its protein and collagen content varies, and experts advise checking labels, particularly for sodium.
A Marie Claire report featuring a registered dietitian, dermatologist and OB-GYN says there is no strong clinical evidence that drinking bone broth directly improves skin hydration, elasticity, firmness or wrinkles. The finding tempers social-media and wellness claims about the drink, whose protein and collagen content vary by product and preparation.
Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones and connective tissue in water, sometimes with meat, vegetables and seasonings. Registered dietitian Valerie Agyeman says it is commonly cooked for eight to 24 hours or longer to draw out gelatin and other compounds. A cup may provide about five to 10 grams of protein, but the amount varies. Agyeman says it can add protein and amino acids such as glycine and proline to a meal, though it usually supplies less protein than a typical serving of chicken, fish or Greek yogurt.
Dermatologist Morgana Colombo says bone broth contains collagen-derived proteins and amino acids, but that does not establish a direct skin benefit. Some studies of hydrolyzed collagen supplements have reported modest improvements in hydration and elasticity; the report says evidence is mixed, and those products are not interchangeable with broth. The collagen amount in broth can vary, and a cup does not necessarily match the standardized doses used in supplement studies.
The experts also caution against assuming broth is a dependable source of minerals or a treatment for bone-health concerns. Agyeman says relatively little calcium may make it into the finished product, while OB-GYN Jennifer Choe says evidence specifically supporting bone broth for women’s health is limited. Agyeman advises treating it as an addition to meals, checking nutrition labels for protein and sodium, and not relying on it as a primary protein source.
What Skin Claims Can Support
The report matters to readers considering bone broth as a daily beauty purchase because it separates ingredient content from proven effects. Broth can contribute protein and amino acids, but the presence of collagen-related compounds alone does not show that drinking it will change skin. Colombo says collagen production is affected by age, genetics, hormones, UV exposure and nutrition, among other factors.
That distinction also affects how consumers interpret supplement research. Studies involving particular doses of standardized collagen peptides do not establish that broth produces the same results. People interested in the drink can include it in their diet if it suits them, but the report does not support treating it as a proven route to firmer or more hydrated skin.
There are practical nutrition considerations, too. Packaged products can differ in protein, collagen and sodium, while calcium content should not be assumed from the fact that bones are used to make the broth. Comparing labels may help consumers understand what a particular product provides.
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Broth, Collagen and Existing Research
Bone broth has long been prepared in different food traditions and is not a new practice, although celebrity and social-media wellness promotion has brought it renewed attention. The report describes it as a product made by simmering animal bones and connective tissue, with cooking time and ingredients varying between recipes and brands.
Claims around skin often draw on the role of collagen in the body and research on collagen supplements. The report distinguishes that research from evidence on broth itself: some supplement studies report modest effects, but findings are mixed, and researchers cannot assume broth delivers the same formulation or dose. Agyeman also says claims that bone broth improves gut health, reduces inflammation or makes skin look younger have not been well established in research on bone broth itself.
For bone health, the report says overall intake of calcium, vitamin D and protein is more relevant than relying on broth. Dairy products and calcium-fortified alternatives are identified as more reliable calcium sources. Research on collagen peptides taken alongside calcium and vitamin D in postmenopausal women does not show that bone broth alone prevents osteoporosis.
“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
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Evidence and Product Differences
The report does not provide clinical trial results showing that bone broth itself improves skin, nor does it establish an effective serving size or schedule for a skin benefit. How much collagen is in a cup can differ by recipe and brand, and it may not be listed separately on product labels. The amount of calcium and other minerals also varies.
The supplied source text ends during a discussion of potential downsides, after mentioning sodium and possible concerns raised by Choe. It does not specify the concern that follows, so no further claim about that issue can be confirmed from the material provided. Readers should check a product’s label, especially its sodium content, and seek individualized advice from a qualified health professional when needed.
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Check Labels Before Buying
The report identifies no forthcoming study, regulatory action or clinical milestone. For consumers, the immediate next step is to compare nutrition labels across brands, including protein and sodium, and avoid assuming a product is high in collagen or calcium unless its information supports that. Agyeman recommends using broth as part of meals rather than as a substitute for more substantial protein sources.
Any stronger conclusion about skin benefits would require research testing bone broth itself, with its preparation and dose clearly specified. Until such evidence is available, the experts’ comments support a measured view: broth may contribute nutrients, but its direct effect on skin remains unproven.
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Key Questions
Does bone broth make skin glow?
The report says there is no strong clinical evidence that drinking bone broth directly improves skin hydration, elasticity, firmness or wrinkles. The presence of collagen-derived proteins does not prove a visible skin effect.
How much protein is in bone broth?
The report says a cup may contain about five to 10 grams of protein, depending on the product and preparation. Agyeman says this is usually less than a typical serving of chicken, fish or Greek yogurt.
Is bone broth a good source of calcium?
Not necessarily. The amount of calcium in finished broth can be low and varies, so the report advises against assuming it is a reliable source. Dairy products and calcium-fortified alternatives are cited as more dependable options.
Is bone broth the same as a collagen supplement?
No. The report says broth and collagen supplements are not interchangeable. Supplement studies use particular formulations and doses, which may not match the variable collagen content of a cup of broth.
What should I check before buying bone broth?
Compare the label for protein and sodium, as well as any listed collagen or mineral amounts. The report notes that packaged products can differ substantially and advises people watching their blood pressure to pay attention to sodium.
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