Almost everyone enjoys a good piece of chicken, although just the meaty part. But have you ever wondered whether it is safe to eat chicken bones? After all, if you can eat the meat part, that means the bones are non-toxic too.
Is It Safe to Eat Chicken Bones?
You can eat chicken bones, but carefully to avoid cutting your mouth or swallowing large pieces. Once the chicken is cooked, the bones become brittle, making them easy to chew. Plus, they also have some nutritional value, such as calcium and phosphorous.
Is Eating Chicken Bones Bad for You?
Chicken bones are good for you as long as you are cautious. Be aware that they can be a choking hazard, especially if you swallow large pieces. Stick to small pieces and chew them thoroughly before swallowing.
Be careful of sharp pieces as well, as they can cut the insides of your mouth. Or, even worse, they can damage the lining of your gastrointestinal tract.
But besides that, a lot of adults enjoy eating chicken bones. Even health authorities agree that well-chewed chicken bone will pass through your digestive system without any problem.
Are There Benefits to Eating Chicken Bones?
Chicken bones contain calcium and phosphorous, which are good for your teeth and bones. They also contain sodium, potassium, magnesium, and collagen.
Chicken bone marrow is much healthier than the bone itself as it comes with additional healthy nutrients like iron, selenium, and vitamin B.
Iron helps prevent anemia, selenium contains antioxidant properties that reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, and vitamin B helps in the generation of healthy cells and energy.
On the other hand, note that chicken bone marrow contains calories and fats. If you are trying to cut off additional fat, then avoid the marrow in chicken bones and take the bones only.
Another reason to eat chicken bone is that it contains collagen. Studies by the National Library of Medicine show that chicken cartilage can reduce signs of facial aging.
That is why you will find that a lot of supplements and beauty products contain collagen, a compound that can be found in chicken bones. If you are conscious of your appearance, then you may want to try eating some chicken bones.
The collagen will help keep the skin elastic and soft, slowing down the aging process.
The same collagen can also help with the following:
- Reduced the risks of osteoporosis
- Increased muscle mass
- Lower risks of atherosclerosis
- Relieves joint pain
- Relieves certain symptoms of leaky gut syndrome
- Improve your metabolism rate
What Happens If You Eat Chicken Bones?
Nothing will happen. As long as the chicken has been cooked thoroughly, then the insides of the bone are safe to eat.
Are Chicken Bones Tasty?
If you usually pay close attention to your meat, you may have noticed that the inside part is always sweeter than the outside. That is because it is closer to the bones, and that is where the flavors tend to be more concentrated.
So, while bones release some of this flavor into the chicken, they hold on to most of it. You can therefore expect them to be tasty.
But with that said, it all boils down to your preference. There are people who find them bland, and others find the texture unpleasant. If you have never chewed chicken bone before, give it a taste and see if you will love the flavor.
What Does Chicken Bone Marrow Taste Like?
Chicken bone marrow has a slightly spongy and rich taste. Due to its high-fat content, it also has a buttery, nutty and sweet flavor. There isn’t too much difference between it and red meat bone marrow.
Is There Another Way to Enjoy Chicken Bones?
Understandably, not everyone will love eating chicken bones. The texture can be off-putting for some people, and others are worried the small pieces can cut their mouths.
If you are in this predicament but still want to enjoy the health benefits of chicken bones, then you can make chicken stock.
Chicken stock is different from chicken broth in that the latter has been made with chicken meat and has a thin consistency.
Chicken stock is made with bones, is thicker, and has a richer taster. Plus, this will reduce wastage, and you can even use the stock on other meals.
For people who want to go green but are taking things slow, this is a great place to start your vegetarianism journey.
Can You Eat Chicken Bones After Making Bone Broth?
While you can, there is no point in eating chicken bones once you use them to make soup. The flavor and nutrients you were looking for are already in the soup.
So even if you eat the bones, not only are they flavorless, but they also lack any nutrients.
What Happens If You Swallow a Chicken Bone?
There is no need to panic if you swallow a chicken bone. Most likely, you will be fine and not need to go to the ER.
What you should be concerned about is if the chicken bones are either too long or too sharp. If it is too long, it will not make it past your stomach. And if they are sharp, they are likely to puncture the gastrointestinal walls as they go down.
However, most chicken bones that you will swallow will be splinters. These will go down without any issues.
If, for whatever reason, you end up swallowing a chicken bone that is more than three inches long or is sharp, visit a specialist for it to be removed.
Can Stomach Acid Dissolve Chicken Bones?
If the chicken has been thoroughly chewed, then stomach acids will easily break it down further and finally end up being excreted without any issues.
Is It OK to Eat Chicken Wing Bones?
Any bone in your chicken is safe to eat, including chicken wing bones. In fact, they are probably easy to chew, considering that they are quite thin and brittle compared to other types of bones found in chickens.
Frequently Asked Questions to Can You Eat Chicken Bones?
Are There Any Disadvantages to Eating Chicken Bones?
As already mentioned, chicken bones are tasty and nutritious. The only concern is that they can also be a choking hazard. But if you eat them carefully and chew thoroughly, you have nothing to be concerned about.
Should I Be Worried If My Child Swallows Chicken Bone?
A tiny piece of chicken bone does not pose any danger to the child and will pass through the digestive system with ease. But if your child exhibits any signs of pain or choking, you need to go to the emergency room for a doctor’s checkup.
What Should I Do if I Cut Myself With A Chicken Bone?
If you have cut your mouth with a small piece of chicken, start by assessing the damage. If the scratch is tiny, then it will heal quickly and by itself. But if the cut is serious, consider going to the ER.
Conclusion to Can You Eat Chicken Bones?
Even though a bigger percentage of people throw away chicken bones after eating the meat, they are edible. As long you eat it carefully to avoid the risk of choking or splinters, you can enjoy the sweet treats inside a chicken bone. Try it the next time you have chicken.