Every few months, it seems that there is always a new food that proponents claim can cure a variety of ills, ranging from weight gain to joint pain and more. These dietary choices typically turn out to be nothing more than fads, as they are largely useless as a pain remedy or diet choice, and yet people continue to insist on their benefits. Due to the prevalence of the Paleo diet, which is based primarily on meat and produce, one of the most recent examples of these hyped foods is the current popularity surrounding bone broth. But is this food really only a momentary fixation, or does it really offer advantages to your health?

Otherwise known as homemade beef or poultry stock, bone broth has recently been claimed to promote digestion, strengthen bones, increase immunity, rejuvenate your hair and nails, offer joint pain relief and cure digestive disorders. These benefits are linked to the food’s high protein levels, which proponents claim can help build collagen, as well as it’s high mineral content. However, these benefits don’t work quite the way people seem to think they will. For example, while bone broth does contain around 6 grams of protein, which comes from the collagen in the bones, the body does not simply accept bone protein and apply it to its own bones; instead, it breaks it down into amino acids, which it then uses as it sees fit. For this reason, it’s probably better to eat foods with even more protein, such as fish and lentils. Similarly, while homemade beef or poultry stock does contain a number of minerals, including magnesium and potassium, they pale in comparison to foods like black beans. Because of this, doctors and nutritionists are more likely to recommend that you eat a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts than spend your time crafting the perfect bone broth.

Whether you’re searching for a pain remedy for your stiff neck and joints or looking to promote good health, it can be tempting to try out the variety of products that supporters call “superfoods”. However, in most cases, you’ll be better off trying more traditional pain management methods, such as pain relief patches, to get fast results. Likewise, when it comes to good health, avoid the fads: eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and exercising regularly does wonders.