Bone broth is promoted as a natural source of collagen, an immune-booster, and a remedy for everything from joint pain to wrinkles. But how much collagen and protein is in popular bone broths? Are bone broth labels accurate? And is there evidence that bone broth works?  

To find out, ConsumerLab.com recently tested popular bone broth liquids and powders sold in the U.S., checking to see how much collagen and total protein they contained. ConsumerLab also tested each bone broth to see how much sodium it contained and whether it was contaminated with heavy metals (lead, cadmium, and arsenic). Products were also compared on cost and taste. 

The tests revealed that one bone broth contained 62% less protein and 75% more sodium than listed on its label, according to ConsumerLab.com. The amount of collagen in a cup of broth allegedly ranged from 2.5 grams to 8 grams across the products; total protein ranged from 3.8 grams to 13.3 grams; and sodium ranged from 95 mg to 503 mg. The cost to obtain an equivalent amount of collagen from the products ranged from just 61 cents to $9.99. 

Among the bone broths that passed tests of quality, provided good amounts of collagen and protein, and were well priced, ConsumerLab.com identified its Top Picks. 

The findings for each product are now available online in ConsumerLab.com’s Bone Broth Review, which also includes the clinical evidence for or against bone broth and explains differences between bone broth made from chicken versus beef and between those sold as liquids versus powders. 

The Review includes test results and quality comparisons for 10 popular bone broth liquids and powders.