woman in white top and jeans holding a mug
Image via @colleengallagher_

I love coffee, but in all honesty, coffee’s just not that into me. I’m one of those lucky “caffeine-sensitive” people—where even a small cup of joe makes me jumpy and jittery—and I swear it makes me break out, too. Not worth it, in my opinion, but gosh, I miss that electric energy. So when I started hearing more about the benefits of bone broth–specifically, drinking a warm mug of it first thing in the a.m.–I was intrigued. Could it be the amped-up answer I was looking for?

For five almost-consecutive days, I sipped on a steamy mug of jarred beef bone broth every morning. Here’s what happened when I did the bone broth/coffee swap.

benefits of bone broth: woman holding coffee cup in white top and jeans
Image via @deanaduka

The Benefits of Bone Broth:

The test subject: Epic Provisions Beef Jalapeno Bone Broth

Bone broth is like a superfood version of stock. It’s a long-boiled broth made from both meaty and cartilage-rich bones, plus vegetables like celery, carrot, and onion. Because bone broth is often cooked for 36 to 72 hours straight, the minerals in the bones and cartilage can be sufficiently extracted. The protein is broken down into amino acids, which makes the liquid incredibly nutrient-rich and super easy to digest

Another of the numerous benefits of bone broth? It’s packed with collagen, which has been shown to boost gut health and skin firmness. Collagen is purported to protect the lining of your digestive tract and can also smooth out fine lines in skin. Talk about a beautifying breakfast!

Bone broth comes in packaged liquid or powdered versions; I chose a heat-and-serve liquid variety.  In my bleary a.m. state, I can barely manage boiling or microwaving something, let alone boiling, measuring, and blending (as is the case with most powdered versions).

woman in brown corduroy jacket and hat sipping from a coffee cup
Image via @valerie_star

The Results:

1. I liked starting with something salty.

As far as breakfast goes, I tend to phase in and out of sweet and savory. I’ll do oatmeal and stewed apples one week, then flip to tomatoes and dairy-free cream cheese on toast the next. For this test, I was definitely in a sweet spot. I almost never have meat for breakfast, so it was kinda hard to swallow a savory, meaty broth, but the saltiness seemed to wake me up more. Surprisingly, I then found I wasn’t hungry for my pumpkin spice granola, opting for a slice of sourdough toast with butter instead.

2. I felt focused and calm.

I didn’t notice any major energy bursts from my bone broth morning drink, but instead, I felt super grounded and focused for the entire morning on the days I drank it. One day I forgot to make the broth–I felt tired and groggy all day, and desperately needed an afternoon nap.

3. It kept me fuller longer.

While this drink alone did not suffice for breakfast for me (I’m a breastfeeding mama—no liquid diets allowed), it helped make my morning meal last until lunch. I usually feel a snack pang coming on around 11 o’clockish, but was actually able to hold off until my 12 p.m. grain bowl.

swap bone broth coffee? woman in green dress holds a cup
Image via @lifewithlizziie; Featured:

4. It curbed my afternoon sugar/coffee cravings.

Maybe it was just because I was busier than usual this week, or maybe it was the bone broth/coffee swap, but I didn’t reach for my normal afternoon chocolate or flat white (an espresso bev I’ll occasionally allow myself, jitters be damned) for three out of the five days. I like to think it was the extra morning boost of minerals that helped me sail through that afternoon slump.

5. It didn’t change my skin–yet.

Drinking a cup of collagen-rich liquid every morning for weeks would probably have big skin benefits, but for the five days I tried it, I didn’t really notice much. In fact, I actually broke out on my chin (I blame hormones/stress), and couldn’t really tell if there was any new glow. (Will keep you posted.)

bone broth coffee swap: woman in white top and jeans holding iced coffee
Image via @alysilverio; Featured: California Body White Ribbed Off The Shoulder Bodysuit, ’90s Mid Rise Light Wash Distressed Jeans, Leora Stone And Black Snake Strappy High Heel Sandals

The Verdict:

I probably will keep bone broth as part of my morning routine, but I won’t be incorporating it every day. It’s pretty pricey (I went through a jar every two days), and there were just some mornings I really wasn’t feeling the meaty vibe. But I did appreciate the warming boost and sustained energy that a bone broth morning drink provided, so on those long-haul days, I’ll definitely keep it in the roster.

Have a wellness question for Jessica? Ask in the comments!

Jessica Waller is a clinical nutritionist and health and wellness writer with a passion for science-backed self-care. She’s always on the lookout for healthy-ish comfort-food recipes, statement shoes, and new wellness trends to obsess over (earthing, anyone?). Find her most recent musings on nutrition and self-care at WELLTRIBE.