What is bone marrow?Bone marrow is a type of spongy tissue in the center of bones. It’s most concentrated in the spine, hip, and thigh bones.
It contains stem cells that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets, which are involved in oxygen transportation, immune function, and blood clotting.
The bone marrow of animals like cows, lambs, caribou, and moose is commonly consumed in many types of cuisine.
It has a rich, slightly sweet flavor with a smooth texture and is often served alongside toast or used as a base for soup.
Bone marrow can also be used to make bone broth or spread over bread, roasted vegetables, or meat dishes.
Bone marrow nutrition factsBone marrow contains a good amount of calories and fat, as well as small amounts of nutrients like protein and vitamin B12.
For example, one tablespoon (14 grams) of raw caribou bone marrow provides:
Calories: 110
Total fat: 12 grams
Protein: 1 gram
Vitamin B12: 7% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)
Riboflavin: 6% of the RDI
Iron: 4% of the RDI
Vitamin E: 2% of the RDI
Phosphorus: 1% of the RDI
Thiamine: 1% of the RDI
Vitamin A: 1% of the RDI
Health benefits of bone marrowThough no studies directly evaluate the effects of consuming bone marrow, plenty of research on the health benefits of its components is available.
In particular, collagen, glycine, glucosamine, and conjugated linoleic acid have been studied extensively for their potential effects on health.
1. Supports joint function
2. Decreases inflammation
3. Promotes skin health
Though research is limited on the health effects of bone marrow itself, studies show that many of its components could support joint function, decrease inflammation, and promote skin health.
Source:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bone-marrow#benefits
