Is Bone Broth Good for Gastritis?

DetoxWater Editorial Team•Published November 5, 2026

Partly: bone broth may be easier to tolerate with gastritis if it is mild and low in fat, because it provides fluid without the richness or spice that can aggravate symptoms. There is no good clinical evidence that bone broth heals gastritis, however. Choose it based on your tolerance, alongside other best foods for gastritis, rather than as a substitute for medical care.

Can bone broth help when you have gastritis?

Bone broth can be a comforting source of fluid when your stomach feels unsettled, provided its ingredients do not make your symptoms worse. Some people may find a plain, strained bone broth easier to consume than a rich or heavily seasoned food.

Gastritis means inflammation of the stomach lining; symptoms alone cannot establish whether you have it or what is causing it. Bone broth does not address causes such as H. pylori infection or irritation associated with certain medicines. You do not have to drink bone broth if it makes you uncomfortable.

How might bone broth affect the stomach?

Bone broth provides fluid, which helps you stay hydrated. Depending on how it is made, bone broth may also contain some protein, but its composition varies considerably between homemade and packaged products.

Plain, low-fat bone broth may be more comfortable for some people than a fatty or spicy preparation. Tolerance is individual, though: even a mild bone broth can cause discomfort for someone with gastritis. The same principle applies when choosing among the best drinks for gastritis.

Bone broth can contain collagen-derived protein, but the body digests dietary proteins into smaller components. There is no good evidence that drinking collagen in bone broth directly repairs the inflamed stomach lining.

What does the research say about bone broth and gastritis?

Evidence for bone broth as a gastritis treatment is limited. A 2025 review of bone broth and gut-barrier research discussed nutrients found in bone broth and research involving animal and human studies, with particular attention to the intestinal barrier and inflammatory bowel disease.

That review does not establish that drinking bone broth treats gastritis. The intestinal barrier is not the same as the stomach lining, and findings about individual nutrients or other digestive conditions cannot be assumed to apply to a serving of bone broth. Bone broth may be a tolerated food, but it should not be described as a proven way to reduce stomach inflammation or heal an ulcer.

How can you use bone broth safely?

If you want to try bone broth, choose a plain preparation and start with a small amount. Drink it warm rather than very hot, and stop if it causes or worsens discomfort. There is no established gastritis-specific dose or schedule.

Look for a lower-sodium bone broth, especially if you have been advised to limit salt. Check the label for ingredients you cannot tolerate or are allergic to. A simple bone broth without hot spices, acidic additions or a lot of fat may be a more practical starting point than a heavily seasoned version.

For homemade bone broth, strain it and remove visible fat; chilling it allows solidified fat to be lifted off. Cook it thoroughly, refrigerate it promptly and follow safe food-handling practices. Packaged bone broth can also be suitable if its ingredients and sodium content meet your needs.

Bone broth is not a complete diet. As you are able, eat a varied diet with foods you tolerate, and ask a clinician or dietitian for advice if symptoms are making it difficult to eat enough.

Who should be careful, and when should you see a doctor?

Contact a clinician promptly if symptoms persist or worsen, or if you have repeated vomiting, trouble swallowing, unintentional weight loss or difficulty keeping fluids down. Seek emergency care for vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, black tarry stools, sudden or severe abdominal pain, or fainting.

If you have kidney disease, heart failure or a sodium restriction, ask your clinician whether bone broth fits your eating plan. People who are pregnant, people with weakened immune systems and caregivers preparing bone broth for young children should take particular care with food handling.

Gastritis can have different causes, and some require testing and specific treatment. If you take aspirin or another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, discuss it with your clinician; do not stop a prescribed medicine without medical advice. Bone broth cannot replace treatment for an H. pylori infection or another diagnosed cause.

Frequently asked questions

Is homemade bone broth always better than store-bought?

Not necessarily. Either can be suitable if it is safely prepared and has ingredients and a sodium level that meet your needs.

Should you drink bone broth on an empty stomach?

There is no good evidence that taking bone broth on an empty stomach helps gastritis. Choose a time that feels comfortable, and stop if it worsens symptoms.

Can bone broth replace a meal when you have gastritis?

Bone broth alone is not a complete meal. If symptoms prevent you from eating enough, ask a clinician or dietitian for help.

Sources

  1. Bone Broth Benefits: How Its Nutrients Fortify Gut Barrier in Health and Disease. Digestive diseases and sciences (2025). PubMed 40180691