Viral Bone Broth Hot Chocolate is packed with health benefits

A viral hot cocoa recipe promises to satisfy your sweet tooth without harming your health — unless you’re chicken to try it.

Introducing Bone Broth Hot Chocolate: An unexpected meltdown that’s got health influencers and health-conscious foodies buzzing.

While it may seem like an unlikely combination at first glance, the unconventional drink is being touted as a nutritious, protein-packed drink that doesn’t compromise on the cozy indulgence we crave on cold winter days.

The viral recipe

Food creator Fallon Danae Lee’s bone broth hot chocolate recipe has racked up over 8,000 likes on Instagram and continues to gain attention every time she reposts it.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unflavored, unseasoned chicken bone broth
• 1 cup whole milk, or 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream and 1/2 cup milk, or 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk and 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, “depending on how chocolatey you want it”
• vanilla sprinkles
• pinch of sea salt
• 1 tablespoon collagen, optional

Simmer everything on the stove until combined and heated through.

Lee says that while using bone broth as a hot chocolate base may seem odd, the result is unexpectedly delicious. “Most of the hesitant ones are pleasantly surprised at how great it is,” she told The Post.

The key, she says, is using a mild-flavored chicken bone broth, which “gives the drink a nice complexity without any tanginess.”

Instagram users are on board — even some who were skeptical.

“I did this for the first time this morning…so scared it wasn’t going to be good. Ladies!! it’s delicious!!! Thank you!!!” commented one user.

“I can’t drink plain hot chocolate anymore. It MUST have bone broth in it! It’s the best,” said another.

Other fans called her a “game changer” and “a staple”, with one insisting “her whole family is connected”.

Why bone broth? Health benefits

While the viral recipe is new to many, Lee says she got the idea on a hot July day in Texas in 2021. She was looking for a way to hide gut-healing and immune-boosting ingredients in comfort foods.

“I’m always a fan of hot chocolate, and I tend to substitute gut-supporting bone broth in many of my delicious recipe creations, so I thought I’d try the unique pairing,” she said.

Lee’s creation spurs a growing interest in bone broth, a nutrient-packed liquid made by simmering animal bones and connective tissue for up to 48 hours. Bone broth is considered a healthier option than standard broth because of the longer cooking time, which extracts more vitamins, minerals and amino acids from the carcass.

“The most obvious nutrient in bone broth is the high level of collagen,” Lisa Moskovitz, a registered dietitian and owner of NY Nutrition Group, told The Post. “Collagen is found naturally in your body in connective tissues such as skin and joints. But it can also be found in the lining of the intestines and stomach, which is why collagen is also considered a gut-healing nutrient.

Research shows that collagen can improve skin hydration, bone density and muscle mass, and even relieve joint pain. With 20 grams of protein per 8 ounces, bone broth has become a favorite health food for boosting metabolism and curbing hunger.

“Bone broth is high in protein while low in calories — which can help improve satiety if an individual is dieting,” Anya Rosen, a registered dietitian and functional medicine practitioner, told The Post.

Protein is also essential for fat loss, as is a healthy gut, according to Sophie Anson, a nutritionist who founded the wellness company EatStrong.

“By improving gut health and supporting healthy bacteria in our microbiome, we tend to have fewer sugar cravings,” she explained, adding that this could be a boost to weight loss.

But don’t get any ideas about swapping bone broth for your lunch just yet: Experts warn that its low-calorie content means it’s not a replacement for a full meal, despite Gweneth Paltrow touting it as such .

Potential risks to consider

There aren’t many downsides to drinking bone broth, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

For one, many commercial bone broths are high in sodium, with some recipes packing as much as 500 milligrams per cup. “For anyone with high blood pressure or who is sensitive to salt, this may be reason enough to limit consumption,” Moskovitz said.

Bone broth can also be high in histamine, so those with intolerances should be careful, Rosen advised.

Some low-quality bone broths can also be loaded with heavy minerals, which people should avoid. “It’s not a ‘gallon a day’ kind of food — 8-12 oz is enough,” Anson said.

Although many people make bone broth at home, you can also find it in grocery stores in various forms. Powders can be a great alternative, Rosen said, but you should try to find one that’s minimally processed with no added acids or chemicals.

“The ingredients should be just bones and water,” she said.

Bone broth meats are also an option, though Rosen said she’s “generally not a fan” of them because they tend to have a lot of sugar added to make them tastier.

Sweet and supportive

So does adding bone broth to a sweet drink like hot chocolate negate the health benefits? Not necessarily.

“Mixing bone broth and hot chocolate can certainly make it more appealing and thus increase how often you want to drink it,” Moskovitz said.

Anson noted that high-quality cacao is itself a superfood, packed with flavonoids, antioxidants and fiber that support heart health, brain function and fight inflammation.

“The combined benefits of bone broth and cocoa would be highly recommended,” Anson said. “Anyone who regularly enjoyed both would probably feel more energetic and have a stronger immune system, not to mention a flat stomach.”

The catch? Lee’s recipe contains 28 grams of sugar from maple syrup — well over the recommended daily limit of 10 grams.

“I would recommend reducing it to just 1 teaspoon of maple syrup — or using a small amount of monk fruit or stevia to sweeten it,” Rosen said.