Why is bone broth not good for children's health?

Eating bones doesn't strengthen bones as many people think. Furthermore, it can be harmful because very little calcium is released from bone marrow, and that calcium is inorganic – not good for children's health.

From inorganic to organic calcium

According to Dr. Hoang Kim Thanh, feeding children porridge or gruel mixed with bone broth will cause them to lack many nutrients, especially micronutrients. Eating bones does not strengthen bones as many people believe. Moreover, this method is harmful because: the amount of calcium released from bone marrow is very small, and it is inorganic calcium – not good for children's health. The fat in bone marrow is saturated fat, causing children to feel bloated and hindering the absorption of other nutrients. Therefore, stop feeding children porridge mixed with bone broth immediately because this method does not supplement calcium and instead leads to nutrient deficiencies, affecting their development.

Some readers have asked: Are there any books or studies that prove that eating bones doesn't strengthen bones? According to advice, children shouldn't eat bone broth, but what about adults?

Reader Ngo Khac Nghia (from Hanoi) said that he has read many articles stating that consuming bone broth is very good, but he has also read information that it is not good. So, in this scientific matter, which is correct?

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh, from the Institute of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, stated that people have long used to simmer bones to make broth. In reality, bone broth contains some inorganic minerals, but these are converted into organic minerals when absorbed into the human body. Bone broth is also high in fat, so children should avoid it; or if they do consume it, the fat should be removed beforehand. Furthermore, it's not advisable to only simmer leg bones; chicken and pork bones can also be used to create a wider variety of broths.

Bone marrow problems

According to Dr. Hoang Xuan Dai, former specialist at the Ministry of Health, there is still no scientific evidence to prove what components in bone marrow hinder the body's ability to absorb calcium in children. The only hypothesis is that bone marrow contains a type of fat that is difficult for children's underdeveloped digestive systems to digest. Therefore, the fat floating on top should be removed because fat is always lighter and floats to the surface. Thus, using bone broth will not hinder digestion in general, or calcium absorption in particular.

Don't overuse bone broth just because you think it's good for bones. Note that bone broth should not be given to children with digestive disorders. Even if the child doesn't have digestive problems, the bone marrow should be removed before simmering, and only the bones should be used.

While bones contain minerals, fish and shrimp also contain minerals. Therefore, experts advise eating a diverse diet to supplement minerals, rather than focusing solely on bone broth. Elderly people have weaker digestive systems, so when consuming bone broth, they should avoid the fatty parts to prevent hindering calcium absorption, just like young children. Inadequate fat digestion can reduce calcium absorption. This may be because calcium combines with unabsorbed fatty acids to form dark calcium, which is excreted in the feces.

According to Kienthuc - PC