Bone broth is the collagen-packed drink that celebrities like Salma Hayek love

It’s time we talked about bone broth, an anti-inflammatory, collagen-rich liquid that nutritionists recommend consuming regularly. The broth has become fashionable thanks in part to the celebrities known to include it in their diets. Salma Hayek, for example, says she drinks a cup daily.

Nutrition experts also recommend it for several different reasons, including–and this may come as a surprise–emotional ones. “There are so many benefits to drinking bone broth,” says nutritionist Itziar Digón. “It’s also really easy to make, using ingredients we all have at our fingertips, including leftovers. It is a sustainable and practical addition to your diet.”

Bone broth is also good for your digestive health

“The broth reduces intestinal inflammation and relieves certain symptoms in people with digestive problems. It is easy to digest and it also helps the body digest other foods,” explains Digón.

Dr Mar Mira, from Clínica Mira + Cueto, adds that “Bone broth, works to seal the intestinal wall and allows it to function properly. In addition, bone broth is rich in minerals like magnesium, which are often lacking from our diets.”

Its high collagen content is good for your skin, too

The broth, which is typically made with chicken, ham, or cow bones–and sometimes vegetables as well–is very good for the skin. The reason, explains Mira, is that it is rich in collagen. “Collagen is not common in most diets. When we consume animal protein, we are typically eating the muscular part of the animal. Bone broth is a simmered infusion of bones, marrow, ligaments and beef or chicken,” according to Mira.

She adds how it can help joint pain and improve skin quality too, “Bone broth is rich in gelatin, amino acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin, all of which are beneficial for patients with joint pain. It has immunological benefits and it is an ideal source of collagen to improve skin quality,” she explains.

A comfort food that is also good for your brain

Digón also focuses on the psychological benefits of this dish because, she says, “when you have a hot soup, especially on chilly days, it immediately generates a feeling of wellbeing and comfort, something that is important to look for in the dishes we eat.” To this we can add, as García-Orea points out, that its high-quality fat provides energy that helps to keep our brains sharp.

You can enjoy this filling dish at any time of the day

Although some celebrities prefer to have their bone broth at breakfast, it’s a good option at any time of the day–and especially at dinner. “It can be consumed like any other type of broth and, from a nutritional perspective, there is no specific amount that must be consumed or any time that is the best time to have it,” says Mira. “It can be enjoyed alone, since it is a complete and nutritious dish, and it is also perfect paired with other dishes, especially in cold months when it feels comforting too.”

Some expert tips on preparing bone broth

Both García-Orea and Mira agree that the key to making the broth is to let the ingredients simmer slowly over a low flame, preferably in a crock pot. On her Instagram account, where she shares a number of recipes, García-Orea recommends adding a little vinegar “to better extract the minerals from the bones in the broth.” Mira also stresses the importance of a slow cooking method. It allows you “to extract the greatest number of nutrients,” she says.

“Ideally the broth should simmer on a low heat, in a slow cooker or crock pot, for at least 24 hours. You should also select quality bones, if possible from natural grass-fed cattle or free-range poultry. The broth can be kept for about five days in the refrigerator, and it can be easily frozen. This allows you to cook large quantities and always have some available. Normally, after it is prepared the broth will have a gelatinous consistency though it will become more liquid when it is heated.”

This article first appeared on www.vogue.com