Can Bone Broth Really Make your Hair Grow Faster?

Can bone broth really make your hair grow faster? I examine this new hair growth fad and break down the science behind bone broth for hair growth in this article.

A few times a year, a new hair growth miracle starts trending at a rapid rate followed by YouTube videos showing insane growth after only a few weeks of use.

Most of the time, there’s more to it than the supposed miracle and the current miracle is bone broth for faster hair growth.

I’ve heard of beef broth and chicken broth but bone broth is a new one, both cooking-wise or consumed specifically for hair growth so I went on a research binge.  

What is Bone Broth?

Bone broth is the liquid that’s produced by boiling bones from meat for a very long time (usually 8 – 24 hours).

This process releases the minerals from the bones as well as gelatin, which is hydrolyzed from the collagen in the bones.

Collagen is responsible for supple and elastic skin. Collage also helps keep premature wrinkles at bay.

The bones also release proline, glycine, and glutamine, all compounds that can improve the functions of the immune system as well as joint health.

7 Best Bone Broth Benefits

The general benefits from drinking bone broth include:-

1. Bone broth facilitates healthier nails and strengthens brittle nails.
2. Bone broth improves skin texture and promotes supple, glowing, and healthier skin.
3. Additional bone broth benefits for the skin include even skin tone and controlling acne and eczema flare-ups. In this study, it was discovered taking oral collagen supplements every day improved skin elasticity significantly.
4. Bone broth leads to improved sleep and energy levels.
5. Some women have said consuming bone broth also helps with reducing cellulite.
6. Bone broth helps the immune system to function more effectively and relieves soreness from stressed muscles and joints.
7. Combined with a good diet, bone broth optimizes your metabolism and can help with faster weight loss.

Is Bone Broth Good for Hair Growth?

When I heard about this initially, the first thing that came to my mind was, “Ewwww.”

Upon further research, I discovered the collagen, amino acids, protein, and gelatin in bone broth is perfect for strengthening weak and damaged hair.

These vitamins and minerals can help slow down and possibly eliminate thinning hair.

Bone broth contains the B vitamins niacin and riboflavin, which are two of the essential vitamins necessary for hair growth discussed in The Ultimate Hair Growth Guide.

Practitioners of this hair growth method mix a few tablespoons of bone broth with a deep conditioner and apply it to dry hair as a pre-poo.

However, I believe it works best for hair growth when consumed internally as then your body absorbs all the vitamins and minerals.

I do not believe bone broth will make your hair grow faster. It will however optimize healthy hair growth.

DIY Bone Broth Recipe

If you have the time, you can make bone broth at home and you don’t need that many ingredients. There’s a handy recipe card at the end of this article as well.

The basics of bone broth include:-

• Beef bones – can also be chicken, turkey, goat, pork, or lamb bones
• Organic apple cider vinegar
• A selection of vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, spring onions, celery, turnip, cabbage, radish, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, etc – 3 – 5 kinds of vegetables should be enough
• Bay leaves – this gives the bone broth loads of flavor
• Black pepper – a touch of heat to liven things up and more flavor
• Basil, parsley, and/or cilantro – Use 1 – 2 leafy herbs for an earthy taste
• Salt
• Slow cooker

To make your bone broth recipe, start with chopping up the bones into smaller pieces if possible.

If not, keep it as it is then pour it into a large slow cooker like this.

Chop up your vegetables and add to the slow cooker then stir.

Add water until all the bones and vegetables are immersed then add the apple cider vinegar and salt and stir again.

Turn the slow cooker to low and boil the bones for 8 – 10 hours. 30 minutes before bone broth is ready, add in the chopped leafy herbs.

Skim off the hardened layer of fat over the broth and strain into large mason jars like these.

Bone broth freezes quite well so don’t be afraid to make a lot of it.

Can You Drink Bone Broth Every Day?

If you can stomach the taste, have at it. It can’t hurt you but start slowly so you can observe your body’s reaction to it. I’d say start with half a cup then build up from there.

Other ways to get bone broth into your diet internally include:-

• Use bone broth as a base for soups and stews.
• Deglazing recipes like caramelized onions with bone broth.
• Use bone broth for pan sauces and gray.
• When making rice recipes or other dishes that require stock, use bone broth instead.

Where to Buy Organic Bone Broth?

You can get all the organic bone broth recommendations below as well as similar brands online on Amazon or iHerb (worldwide shipping).

You can also purchase organic ready-made bone broth. Technically, this sounds like a variation of soup to me. Some ready-made bone broth recommendations include:-

• Bare Bones Organic Chicken Bone Broth
• Imagine Bone Broth – Chicken, Beef & Turkey
• Pacific Foods Bone Broth

Additionally, bone broth is available in a protein powder format. It takes 5 minutes to mix the powder into a bone broth drink.

The most popular bone broth protein powder brands include:-

Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein

Vital Proteins Bone Broth Collagen

Final Word on Bone Broth for Hair Growth

There really isn’t any scientific evidence that applying bone broth topically to hair can make it grow any faster.

It sounds like another hair growth myth in the same ilk as breast milk and whale sperm.

I’d rather use the hone broth in cooking. My body can absorb whatever benefits it needs through that avenue and I expect some of it will also get to my follicles.

Doing too many things to your hair at once can be counterproductive.

Keeping it simple stupid (KISS) and patience still remain the best way to facilitate healthy hair growth.

How to Make Bone Broth

Yield: 8 - 10 oz

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 hours

Total Time: 10 hours 15 minutes

This bone broth recipe can be made with any type of meat bones. It's full of collagen, amino acids, and essential B vitamins for hair growth. The bone broth can be made in a slow cooker or a stockpot.

Print

Ingredients

• 3 - 4 lbs of bones (beef, chicken, turkey, goat, pork, or lamb)
• 2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 2 - 3 cups of your select vegetables ( 2 - 3 types of vegetables)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 handful of of parsley
• 1 handful of cilantro
• Large jug of water

Tools

• Large capacity slow cooker
• 2 - 3 large mason jars
• Silicone ice cube moulds
• Strainer

Instructions

1. Chop the bones into smaller pieces if possible. If not, leave it as is and pour the bones into the slow cooker.
2. Add the vegetables and pour in enough water to immerse the bones and vegetables.
3. Add in the salt and apple cider vinegar.
4. Cover and simmer on low for 8 – 10 hours. 30 minutes before bone broth is ready, add in the chopped leafy herbs.
5. When the broth is ready, skim off the layer of fat on top and strain.
6. Discard solids and wait for the bone broth to cool then pour into the mason jars.
7. To freeze, pour bone broth into the silicone ice cube molds and store in the freezer. Thaw as needed. Each cube should be about 1/3 cup.

Notes

• Bone broth lasts up to 5 days in the fridge and several months in the freezer.
• This recipe can also be made with a large stockpot.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 101Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 45mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 5gSugar: 4gProtein: 3g