Many people in Bangladesh do not like to eat chicken feet. But in many countries around the world the feet, as well as the meat, have long been used in cooking, and they are especially well known in soups, stews and bone broth.

When chicken feet are cooked slowly for a long time, their tough tissue softens into gelatin, which contains amino acids such as glycine and proline. That is why some people like to eat chicken feet for their nutritional value.

The collagen and gelatin in chicken feet can supply some of the components the body needs to build various tissues. As part of a balanced diet, chicken feet may therefore help maintain the normal health of joints and cartilage.

But it is not right to say that eating chicken feet alone will cure joint pain or cartilage problems. Keeping joints healthy also requires regular exercise, a healthy weight and nutritious food.

Collagen is important for maintaining the structure and elasticity of the skin. Collagen from chicken feet is broken down into amino acids during digestion, and the body uses them as needed. So collagen-rich food, as part of a balanced diet, may help maintain normal skin health.

But eating chicken feet will not by itself tighten the skin or reduce wrinkles. Age, sun exposure, sleep, diet and lifestyle also affect the skin.

Bone broth made by cooking chicken feet for a long time contains gelatin, some components of which are linked to the normal structure of the gut, so it can be part of a healthy diet.

But there is no basis for claiming that bone broth will cure all gut problems. Chicken feet also contain some minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, though the amount depends on the cooking method and other factors.

Many people think collagen from food goes straight to the skin or joints and is deposited there. That is not the case.

Dietary collagen is broken down into small fragments and amino acids during digestion, which the body then uses as needed. To make collagen naturally, the body needs not only collagen-rich food but also adequate protein as well as vitamin C, zinc and copper.

First clean the chicken feet well. Then put them in a pot with water and your choice of vegetables and herbs, and cook slowly on a low heat for several hours.

Long cooking softens the tissue in the feet and releases gelatin. It is usually slow-cooked for 4 to 8 hours, though the time may depend on the pot, temperature and ingredients. If excess fat collects on top at the end, you can skim it off. The broth can then be eaten as soup or with other dishes.

Chicken feet can be part of a nutritious diet, but there is no need to see them as a miracle food. Staying healthy requires not just collagen but a range of proteins, vegetables, fruit, vitamins and minerals.

So chicken feet or bone broth made from them can be kept in the diet, but they should not be seen as the only way to solve skin, joint or gut problems. A balanced diet, regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle matter most.

Sources cited: Verywell Health, Times of India.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.