Study Abstract

Broth & Co Beef Bone Broth Powder was evaluated in a 12-week single-arm pre-post study investigating its tolerability and potential effects on gastrointestinal symptoms in Australian adults.

The study assessed changes in lower gastrointestinal symptoms, upper gastrointestinal symptoms, stool patterns, quality of life, reported food triggers and intestinal permeability. Participants consumed Broth & Co Beef Bone Broth Powder as part of the intervention and completed validated questionnaires, including the Bristol Stool Chart, Birmingham IBS Symptom Questionnaire and IBS Quality of Life Questionnaire. Physiological testing included intestinal permeability assessment using the lactulose/mannitol test.

After 8 weeks, participants reported significant improvements in lower gastrointestinal symptoms, including constipation, diarrhoea, urgency, flatulence and abdominal pain. Improvements were also observed in upper gastrointestinal symptoms, including indigestion, heartburn, regurgitation and nausea.

Stool consistency, stool frequency and bowel regularity also improved over the study period.

In participants who had elevated intestinal permeability markers at baseline, Broth & Co Beef Bone Broth Powder was associated with improved gut barrier markers. Lactulose and mannitol recovery improved by 33%, while the lactulose/mannitol ratio improved by 38%.

Food triggers were reported by 83% of participants at the start of the study. By the end of the intervention, many participants reported improved tolerance to previously problematic foods. More than 80% reported improved tolerance to FODMAP-containing foods, while approximately one-third reported improved tolerance to gluten, acidic or spicy foods, dairy, egg or fried foods.

Participants also reported improvements in gastrointestinal symptom-related quality of life, including emotional wellbeing, mental wellbeing, sleep, energy, physical functioning, diet and social interactions.

Broth & Co Beef Bone Broth Powder is made from Australian grass-fed beef marrow bones and connective tissue and naturally contains collagen-derived amino acids, including glycine, proline and glutamine, as well as minerals and other naturally occurring compounds traditionally associated with slow-simmered bone broth.

Overall, the findings suggest that Broth & Co Beef Bone Broth Powder was well tolerated and may be a practical dietary intervention to support gastrointestinal comfort, bowel regularity, gut barrier function and quality of life in adults with gastrointestinal disturbances. Further controlled studies would help confirm these findings.