Soup to start the day? It might sound strange at first, but in many countries having broth for breakfast is the norm – and a highly nourishing one at that. Serve it up in good ceramics and it’s essentially the same as having a superfood latte.

Functional medicine expert, Dr. Josh Axe, gives us good reason to consider making the swap to bone broth for breakfast. He makes his own brand of clean, powdered bone broths that are game changers for those of us who love the stuff, but aren’t accustomed to making it at home, even offering it in morning-friendly flavors like vanilla and mocha (yes, really!). Here’s Dr. Axe… 

I’m a huge fan of foods that help your body heal, and one of my favorites is bone broth. This soothing food is nutrient dense, easy for the body to digest and – perhaps most importantly, tastes great!

Bone broth consumption was much more common generations ago, when our ancestors made use of animal parts that couldn’t be eaten by boiling them then simmering them for days. That slow cooking allowed the bones and ligaments to release compounds and minerals, like collagen, magnesium and calcium, that the body can absorb easily.

Bone broth is also packed with gelatin, which allows bones to “glide” against each other without causing friction. Additionally, gelatin does double duty in the gut by repairing the lining, allowing probiotics to flourish, while also fighting against food sensitivities.

Despite all of bone broth’s healthy benefits, I still believe that people aren’t consuming enough of it. Sure, we’re using it as the base of soups and stews, or occasionally using it to cook grains like rice or quinoa. But bone broth can actually be incorporated into every meal –including breakfast! If you haven’t considered having bone for breakfast, here are a few reason you should:

It works well with intermittent fasting. If you’re practicing any kind of intermittent fasting, bone broth is a great AM option, because you’ll get all the healing benefits of broth without technically breaking your fast. In the morning, instead of diving right into breakfast, have a 12-ounce serving of bone broth to coat your tummy and hold you over until lunch.

The protein will keep you satiated throughout the day. Bone broth contains more than 19 easy-to-absorb essential and non-essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. This is important because getting enough protein is critical for keeping your energy high and helping you feel fuller throughout the day. Protein is also crucial to supporting your muscles. So if you work out in the morning, you’ll definitely want that extra protein boost bone broth can provide.

It promotes gut health and healthy digestion all day long. There’s nothing worse than having tummy troubles while you’re at work… or in the car… or anywhere, really. Luckily, bone broth can help with that. The collagen found in bone broth soothes and protects the digestive tract lining, which helps with conditions like leaky gut, IBS, Crohn’s and more. After the collagen breaks down, gelatin forms, which is beneficial if you’re struggling with food allergies or sensitivities. Bone broth also helps maintain the balance between good and bad bacteria in the gut and decreases autoimmune disease symptoms.

it’s a beautifying breakfast too This liquid gold is actually one of the best sources of natural collagen, which helps restore the cartilage in our joints that experience wear and tear as we age. Collagen also keeps skin looking young by minimizing fine lines and making your skin look plumper.

It’s easy! Honestly, this is probably my favorite reason to consume bone broth in the morning — it’s just so simple. If you typically enjoy a smoothie for breakfast, new flavors of bone broth protein powder can easily be added in for a nutrition and flavor boost. Bone broth can also be added to baked goods to ramp up the nutritional profile of muffins, scones and other breakfast fare. And if you like to enjoy bone broth solo, adding it to your to-go mug in lieu of coffee will ensure that you truly get your day started on the right foot.

Still on the fence about bone broth for breakfast?
Discover seven more reasons why you should be drinking bone broth daily here.