Is Beef Bone Broth a Clear Liquid? What to Know Before Your Colonoscopy

If you have an upcoming colonoscopy, chances are your doctor has instructed you to follow a clear liquid diet the day before. This diet helps empty out your digestive tract so the doctor can get a clear view during the procedure.

But what exactly counts as a “clear liquid”? You may be wondering if soups and broths made from real foods are okay or if you need to stick to chemical concoctions like sports drinks.

One particularly murky area is bone broth – is this off-limits before a colonoscopy? Or can you enjoy a soothing cup of homemade beef broth as you prepare for the procedure?

I’ll cover whether bone broth is allowed on a pre-colonoscopy diet and explain the reasoning behind the strict liquid guidelines.

What is Bone Broth?

First a quick primer on bone broth if you aren’t familiar with the recent health food trend.

Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones and connective tissue in water for many hours. This long cooking time extracts gelatin, minerals like calcium and magnesium, and other nutrients from the bones.

The resulting broth takes on a smooth, creamy texture when cooled. Flavorings like vegetables, herbs and apple cider vinegar are often added to make the broth tastier.

Fans of bone broth tout its benefits for gut health joint health immunity and more. It provides protein and amino acids lacking in many modern diets.

Why Follow a Clear Liquid Diet Before Colonoscopy?

In preparation for a colonoscopy, you’ll follow a restricted diet for 1-2 days beforehand. This diet progression often looks like:

• 3 days before: Low fiber diet. Avoid seeds, nuts, raw veggies.
• 2 days before: Low residue diet. Avoid fiber, dairy, high fat foods.
• 1 day before: Clear liquid diet. Only consume see-through liquids.

The purpose of shifting to clear liquids is to empty out your entire GI tract before the procedure. This gives the doctor a clear view of your colon walls so they can check for polyps or other abnormalities.

Consuming any solids could leave residue behind and obstruct visibility. Even opaque liquids like milk are off-limits.

Is Bone Broth a Clear Liquid?

With the goal being a spotless colon, you may be wondering if you can have bone broth before a colonoscopy.

Some sources claim it’s a clear liquid, but most experts advise avoiding it when preparing for a colonoscopy. Here’s why:

• Particles and residue – Bone broth appears thin and transparent. However, it still contains tiny particles of fat, marrow, and vegetables that could leave residue.

• Cloudiness when cooled – The collagen and gelatin in bone broth causes it to solidify and get cloudy when chilled overnight in the fridge. This makes it not technically a “clear” liquid.

• Color variations – The simmering process can extract pigments from vegetables and bones, causing subtle coloring that could stain the colon.

• Fat droplets – Cooling causes fat droplets to form in bone broth, giving it a hazy appearance rather than crystal clarity.

So while it may seem innocuous, bone broth does not meet the strict definition of a see-through liquid with no solids. Play it safe and avoid it when prepping for your colonoscopy.

Better Clear Liquid Options

The good news is you have plenty of nourishing and comforting options to choose from during your pre-colonoscopy clear liquid diet.

Here are some bone broth alternatives to try instead:

• Broth and consommé – Opt for a commercial broth that has been strained completely clear. Chicken, beef and vegetable broth offer similarity to bone broth.

• Herbal tea – Sip on soothing teas like chamomile, ginger or mint to stay hydrated. Avoid tea with grounds that could leave residue.

• Fruit juice – Clear juices like apple, white grape, lemonade provide electrolytes and carbohydrates. Avoid pulpy juices like orange.

• Sports drinks – Isotonic beverages like Gatorade or Powerade replenish electrolytes lost from laxatives or diarrhea.

• Gelatin – Flavored gelatins give a wobbly texture similar to chilled bone broth. Stick to clear fruit flavors.

• Popsicles – Ice pops made from clear fruit juice or flavored ice can moisten your mouth. Avoid real fruit chunks.

• Clear protein shakes – Whey or plant-based protein powders mixed into water provide needed protein. Ensure Clear is a pre-made option.

• Soft drinks – Clear sodas like ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, club soda or tonic water can help ease nausea. Avoid dark sodas.

Sample Clear Liquid Diet Meal Plan

Here is an example of what a one-day clear liquid diet before colonoscopy could look like:

Breakfast: Herbal tea or black coffee, apple juice, clear protein shake

Morning Snack: Chicken broth, sports drink like Gatorade

Lunch: Clear protein shake, lemon-lime soda, lemon gelatin

Afternoon Snack: Popsicle, ginger ale

Dinner: Beef consommé, white grape juice

Be sure to drink plenty of water in addition to other liquids to stay hydrated. Broth, juice and sports drinks will help replenish electrolytes lost from laxatives.

The Bottom Line on Bone Broth and Colonoscopy Prep

While bone broth seems innocuous, it technically does not meet the strict definition of a clear liquid with no particles, and could potentially leave residue behind.

To be safe, avoid bone broth and stick to commercial broths, juices and electrolyte beverages that have been filtered completely clear in preparation for your colonoscopy. This will help ensure your doctor gets the clearest possible view.

As always, follow your specific doctor’s instructions for colonoscopy prep diet. And don’t hesitate to ask for clarification on recommended clear liquids if you aren’t sure about a certain food or beverage. Proper preparation is key for an effective colonoscopy procedure.