You’ve probably heard all the hype about collagen and bone broth. But how do you know which one is best for you? What’s the difference between the two? And when you do choose one, should you take it in powder? Pill?
The options are truly endless. Since both collagen and bone broth have unique benefits, let’s run through which one to choose and how.
The truth is, though they’re now wildly popular, both bone broth and collagen have been around in some form for a very long time.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I've been using both broth and collagen to help clients with their health goals for ten years.
Bone broth especially has been used in healing remedies as far back as 2500 years ago! It’s definitely not new.
Like anything though, it has now come back into fashion and everyone is scrambling to jump onto something that could improve their health.
What Is Bone Broth?
Bone broth is the leftover liquid that remains from boiling bones, cartilage, and tissue.
This leftover liquid is extremely healing and wonderful for your gut.
Benefits Of Bone Broth
- Improved digestion
- Helps nutrient absorption
- Contains a lot of amino acids which helps in everything from kidney function to gut health
- Boosted immune system
- Can support joint health by strengthening bones
- Some people refer to is as “anti-aging”
Basically, the broth is a gut-improving, all-natural, nutrient powerhouse.
You can learn more about the healing properties of bone broth from the GAPS diet.
Bone broth is one of the three foods I believe every toddler should have in their diet because it’s so helpful.
Source: benefits of bone broth and analysis of bone broth and anti-inflammation
What Is Collagen
Technically, collagen is a protein. However, it is not a protein powder (learn about collagen vs. protein powder).
It is mostly found in bones, skin, connective tissues, and meat. This means that bone broth contains collagen because it is made from bones.
However, collagen peptides are a more potent protein than broth (more below).
- Better digestion
- Improves immune system
- Glowing hair, skin, and nails
- Better muscle recovery
- Great for joints and bones
Our skin is made up of roughly 80% collagen. So, increasing your intake is going to help.
Learn more about natural foods high in collagen to help keep you young.
Sources: benefits of collagen, skin collagen through the life stages, collagen for bone tissue regeneration.
Collagen Vs. Bone Broth
You’ll notice that both collagen and broth have similar benefits.
That’s because to some extent they’re similar. Both are wonderful for gut health and the immune system.
However, there are differences between the two.
Bone broth contains a lot more general nutrients.
Collagen peptides, however, are much more potent and direct.
Bone broth contains collagen because it seeps out of the bones when boiled. It’s the collagen in the bone broth that gives the broth its high protein content.
However, collagen is better absorbed in supplement form.
So, which one is best for you?
If you want to help boost your immune system, reduce inflammation, help your gut, and increase your nutrient intake, choose bone broth.
If you’re looking to experience the above benefits plus get more protein into your diet to help with muscle recovery, growth, and improve muscle density, opt for collagen.
How To Consume Bone Broth
One of the benefits of today’s world is that there are multiple ways to consume both bone broth as well as collagen!
Obviously, for bone broth, there is a very traditional way of making your own. I personally make bone broth every other week and use it in:
- Homemade soup
- To boil rice
- Chili or stew
You can also buy pre-made bone broth to use for any of the above. A word of caution though, make sure to buy quality broth. If your goals include health or your gut, loading your broth with sodium and fillers isn’t helpful.
I personally like kettle and fire bone broth (save money with code mamabear).
Another option is bone broth protein powder. Bone broth protein is normally mixed in with a protein powder as well as flavors so that you get the best of both worlds.
Lastly, and this is my personal favorite: broth powder!
Yep, this exists. Bone broth powder is actually my favorite because you can use it in the same way you would fresh broth but it lasts longer.
Reap the benefits of homemade bone broth but skip the time in the kitche. Bone broth powder gives you the best of both worlds and makes healing, homemade broth in just 2 minutes.
I use Perfect Supplements Bone Broth Powder for a few reasons:
- Made from organic free-range chickens
- It’s unflavored
- It contains no added spices or preservatives
- Contains Type I, II, and III Collagen
- Contains all 9 Essential Amino Acids
- Contains 19 Amino Acids
Plus, it’s the only broth powder I’ve found that goes fluffy when blended into this gut-healing smoothie.
And though I realize this seems completely weird, this smoothie is what helps me get something completely healing into my kiddos. It’s my go-to whenever anyone is sick.
Learn more about what powdered bone broth is and why you want to stock up!
How To Consume Collagen
Like bone broth, collagen has multiple options for consumption. The most popular nowadays is collagen supplements in pill form (normally called collagen peptides)
However, I prefer to get my collagen peptides from powder.
Not only does it mix easily, but it pairs a protein with whichever food I’m eating and gives me an intake boost for the day.
I mix collagen powder into smoothies, energy balls, dairy-free yogurt, and oatmeal, you name it. Check out these indulgent collagen powder recipes.
Easy to mix, this collagen powder adds a protein punch to anything you pair it with. Made from pasture-raised (grass-fed) cows there are no pesticides, hormones, or filler agents. Just put collagen protein. Use code mamabear10 to save money on your next order.
Again, I use Perfect Supplements Collagen powder because it’s:
- 100% Hydrolyzed Collagen peptides (11 grams of Collagen per serving)
- Sourced EXCLUSIVELY From Brazilian Pasture Raised (Grass Fed) Cows
- 100% Natural and Pesticide and Hormone Free
- World's First Certified Glyphosate Residue Free Collagen
- It has no fillers
You can rock code mamabear10 to save some money.
Frequently Asked Questions About Collagen Vs Bone Broth
For all-around nutrients, bone broth is the better choice. For specific protein goals, increasing your intake and reaping the benefits, collagen has more protein in it.
Though they have many of the same benefits, bone broth and collagen are not exactly the same. Bone broth has more all-around nutrients and contains collagen. However, collagen has more protein concentration.
Both will give you the benefits of a healthier gut, immune system, and digestion. However, they taste different. Chicken broth is much lighter whereas beef broth is more intense.
Like anything, you can have too much of a good thing. Collagen is high in protein and all of a sudden doubling or tripling your collagen intake can result in digestive stress, headaches, and constipation.
Bone broth is a wonderful way to boost the immune system, support joints, and heal the gut. It can be taken daily as is or worked into other recipes like gut-healthy soups and stews.
Recipes That Use Collagen Powder
- Chewy dairy and gluten-free brownies
- Gluten-free protein bagels
- Chocolate energy bites
- Pomegranate smoothie
- Chocolate protein pudding
- Protein granola
- Cookie dough bites
- Strawberry yogurt parfait
- Green breakfast smoothie
- Anti-inflammatory smoothie
When it comes to collagen vs bone broth, the truth is: they're both great! They're just slightly different. Adding each of them into your diet will be a huge step in your health goals.
So, choose the one you can work in easily and go from there.
Greta says
This is such a good help! Thank you for everything that you do!
fitasamamabear says
Yay! Glad it helps!
Mandy Applegate says
Thanks for explaining this, I had no real idea of the difference between the two - now I know!
fitasamamabear says
They're both honestly awesome but they are different!
Robin says
Thanks so much for this thorough explanation! There's a lot of useful advice here.
fitasamamabear says
No problem, I hope it helps!
Jennifer says
It all makes so much more sense now and I'll be using bone broth and collagen properly now! Thanks for the info and tips!
fitasamamabear says
Yay!!!
Sherry says
After reading your post, I am going to work at getting more bone broth and collagen in my diet. Such great advice and very informative.
fitasamamabear says
Yay! Your gut will thank you lol
Lynn says
Wow! This was SO helpful!! Thank you for your knowledge!
fitasamamabear says
Glad it gives some insight!