A summary of the Bone Broth Gut Study conducted by the National Institute of Integrative Medicine.

Why This Study Matters

Gut health is often discussed in broad wellness language, but consumers deserve clear evidence, careful wording and practical context. This study investigated Broth & Co Beef Bone Broth as a food product within a dietary routine, not as a medicine or treatment.

The findings are useful because they connect everyday digestive wellbeing with validated symptom questionnaires, quality-of-life measures, stool characteristics and research markers associated with intestinal permeability.

Leaky Gut, Intestinal Permeability & Gut Barrier Function: The Complete Guide and Zonulin, Gut Barrier Function & Intestinal Permeability Explained explain gut barrier function in more detail.

Study Overview

 

The research team included Nikolaj Travica, Bianca Fiasco, Michelle Brownstein and Prof Avni Sali, in collaboration with Broth & Co.

What Researchers Measured

The study assessed several areas of digestive wellbeing and quality of life.

 

Understanding the Lactulose:Mannitol Test

The Lactulose:Mannitol Test is a recognised research tool used to explore intestinal permeability and gut barrier function. It measures how two non-metabolised sugars move across the intestinal lining.

·       Lactulose is a larger sugar molecule that is normally minimally absorbed and is often used as a marker of intestinal barrier integrity.

·       Mannitol is a smaller sugar molecule that is more readily absorbed and is often used as a marker of transcellular uptake.

·       The Lactulose:Mannitol ratio is a research ratio commonly used in studies investigating intestinal permeability.

These markers are research measures. They are not a stand-alone diagnosis and should be interpreted by qualified professionals within the broader study context.

Key Findings

Following eight weeks of daily Broth & Co Beef Bone Broth intake, researchers observed statistically significant improvements across several outcome measures.

1. Gastrointestinal Symptom Scores

Participants demonstrated significant improvements in symptom severity, including constipation, diarrhoea, urgency, flatulence, abdominal discomfort and overall symptom scores.

·       Overall symptom scores improved significantly (p < 0.0001).

2. Quality of Life

Participants reported significant improvements in emotional wellbeing, mental wellbeing, sleep, energy levels, physical functioning, dietary quality of life and social interactions.

·       Overall quality-of-life scores improved significantly (p < 0.001).

3. Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Researchers observed significant improvements in upper gastrointestinal symptoms including indigestion, heartburn, regurgitation and nausea.

·       Upper gastrointestinal symptom improvements were statistically significant (p < 0.001).

4. Stool Consistency and Regularity

Stool consistency shifted towards the ideal Bristol Stool Chart Type 4 classification. Participants with both harder and looser stool types demonstrated improvement over the intervention period.

Participants also demonstrated improvements in stool frequency and regularity, moving closer to the commonly reported healthy range of one to two bowel motions per day.

5. Pain Measures

Participants demonstrated significant reductions in upper abdominal discomfort, lower abdominal discomfort and other reported pain symptoms following eight weeks of daily intake.

6. Markers Associated With Intestinal Permeability

Researchers observed significant improvements in markers associated with intestinal permeability among participants with elevated baseline levels.

·       Lactulose recovery improved by 33% (p = 0.023).

·       Mannitol recovery improved by 33% (p = 0.006).

·       A 38% observed change in the Lactulose:Mannitol ratio was reported in a small subgroup of participants with elevated baseline values; this subgroup was small (n=6) and the change was not statistically significant.

Full Bone Broth Gut Study report provides the full consumer-facing study report.

Food Trigger Outcomes

At the start of the study, 25 participants reported one or more dietary triggers associated with digestive symptoms. Researchers observed improvements in symptom severity associated with several commonly reported trigger foods.

 

These findings describe participant-reported changes within this study. Individual responses can vary, and people with ongoing digestive symptoms should seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

What This Means in Practice

This study contributes to the evidence base around nutrient-dense whole foods and digestive wellbeing. It supports the idea that bone broth can fit within broader food-first strategies focused on gut health, protein intake, amino acids, hydration and everyday meal quality.

It does not mean bone broth replaces medical care, treats gastrointestinal conditions or works the same way for everyone. Individual results can vary, and persistent digestive symptoms should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.

Why Gut Health Is About More Than Digestion, The Gut-Brain-Immune Connection: How Your Gut Influences Whole-Body Health, Signs of Gut Dysbiosis: Symptoms, Causes & How to Support Gut Health Naturally and Daily Gut Health Routine: Simple Habits for Digestive Wellbeing, Energy & Microbiome Health provide more practical context.

Where Broth & Co Bone Broth Fits

Broth & Co Bone Broth provides naturally occurring protein, a broad amino acid profile, collagen-derived amino acids and minerals, depending on format and preparation.

It can be enjoyed as a warm savoury drink or used in soups, stews, sauces, rice dishes, noodle bowls and vegetable-forward meals. This makes it a practical way to support a food-first routine built around protein, whole foods, fibre, fluids, herbs and spices.

Bone Broth Benefits: The Complete Guide to Gut Health, Protein, Recovery & Healthy Ageing, Bone Broth, Digestive Wellbeing & Inflammation: A Food-First Approach, Bone Broth, Collagen & Functional Nutrition and Functional Hydration explain how bone broth fits into everyday nutrition.

The Amino Acids in Bone Broth: What They Are and Why They Matter, Collagen Amino Acids Explained: Glycine, Proline & Hydroxyproline, Glycine: Recovery, Relaxation, Sleep & the Collagen Connection, Proline and Collagen: Understanding an Important Structural Amino Acid and Glutamine and Gut Health: Understanding the Connection provide more amino acid detail.

Try the Recipes

Explore our collection of nourishing recipes using bone broth, whole foods and quality ingredients.

·       Mediterranean Bone Broth Recipes

·       From Australia to Asia: A Journey Through Traditional Soups, Broths & Nourishing Recipes

·       Latin American Soups, Stews & Comfort Food Recipes with Bone Broth

·       Eastern European Comfort in a Bowl: Traditional Soups & Stews with Bone Broth

·       Healthy Kids Recipes with Hidden Vegetables

·       Hawker Bone Broth Recipes

·       How to Flavour Bone Broth: Herbs, Spices & Gut-Friendly Ingredients

·       A Well-Stocked Kitchen Is the Secret to Healthy Eating: Effortless Hacks, Smart Staples & Bone Broth Recipes

·       Healing Soups & Nourishing Broths: Bone Broth Recipes for Recovery

·       Vegetable-Forward Nourishing Soups

·       7-Day Bone Broth Meal Plan: Gut Health, Energy & Easy Daily Nutrition

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Bone Broth Gut Study?

It was a prospective interventional single-arm clinical study investigating daily Broth & Co Beef Bone Broth intake in Australian adults experiencing moderate lower gastrointestinal disturbances.

How much bone broth did participants consume?

Participants consumed 2 x 5 g serves daily, for 10 g total per day, over the 8-week intervention period.

What did the study measure?

Researchers assessed gastrointestinal symptoms, stool characteristics, quality of life, pain measures and research markers associated with intestinal permeability.

What were the main findings?

Researchers observed statistically significant improvements in gastrointestinal symptom scores, quality-of-life measures, stool consistency, stool regularity, pain measures and some markers associated with intestinal permeability.

Does this mean bone broth is for digestive conditions?

No. This was food-product research in a dietary context. It should not be interpreted as medical advice, and individual results may vary.

How should bone broth be used day to day?

Bone broth can be enjoyed as a warm drink or used in soups, stews, sauces and everyday meals as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

Summary

The Bone Broth Gut Study provides a useful clinical summary of Broth & Co Beef Bone Broth in a digestive wellbeing context. Over eight weeks of daily intake, researchers observed improvements across gastrointestinal symptoms, quality-of-life measures, stool characteristics, pain measures and markers associated with intestinal permeability among relevant participants.

The most responsible way to interpret the study is as part of a food-first approach. Bone broth can sit alongside whole foods, protein, fibre-rich plants, hydration, sleep, movement and professional care where needed.

Food First: 10 Daily Habits for Gut Health, Energy & Long-Term Wellbeing, Good Health Starts on Your Plate, Protein Quality vs Quantity: Why Both Matter for Health & Healthy Ageing and High-Protein Foods: The Foundation of Muscle, Healthy Ageing & Recovery Nutrition support the broader food-first context.