As October ushers in Menopause Awareness Month, an increasing number of women are turning to natural remedies found in their kitchens to enhance their health. Recent studies suggest that even minor dietary adjustments can significantly benefit women navigating the challenges of midlife.

Freja, a UK-based company known for its bone broth products, has joined forces with an independent NHS pilot study conducted in September. Their research delves into the advantages of integrating bone broth into daily meals, revealing that this comforting soup might alleviate some of the common symptoms associated with menopause.

How to make homemade bone broth

According to Wholly Tastful, there are two popular methods for making chicken bone broth. The first method is inspired by traditional Polish Chicken soup: it involves simmering a whole chicken with vegetables, herbs, bay leaves, and allspice.

The food blogger commented, “Making this broth takes time, but the resulting flavor is truly exquisite. If you find yourself with a few hours on a Sunday, I highly recommend giving it a try!”

The alternative method utilizes leftover chicken bones or a carcass from a roasted chicken, combined with vegetables, spices, and water. This mixture can be cooked slowly on the stove or quickly in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker.

Why Bone Broth?

Jess Leather, co-founder of Freja, stated, “Bone broth is a remarkable food option for women experiencing menopause. It is packed with protein, collagen, and essential minerals—nutrients vital for supporting skin, joint health, digestion, and energy levels, which are often challenged during this phase of life.”

“What we hear from our customers is that it’s not just about one benefit but about feeling more nourished and resilient overall. For me, as both a business founder and a mum of four, it’s about making something traditional, comforting, and deeply nourishing easy to incorporate into a busy daily routine.”

Instead of just drinking bone broth, Freja has shared simple and delicious recipes that incorporate the magical food. One that stood out the most is their butternut, bean and chicken bone broth soup.

How to make butternut, bean and chicken bone broth soup

Ingredients

• One red onion
• Three garlic cloves
• ½ a butternut squash
• One sweet red pepper
• Olive oil
• One teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• One tin of cannellini beans
• 1-2 x 500ml cartons Freja Chicken Bone Broth

Method 

Start by roughly chopping the onion, garlic, squash and pepper, then gently sauté them in a large pan with olive oil until softened and lightly golden. Stir in a pinch of nutmeg and the cannellini beans for a rich, earthy base.

A sprinkle of chilli flakes is great for a touch of heat, though it is optional. Reduce the heat and let everything cook gently for about five minutes before pouring in Freja Chicken Bone Broth.

The Freja chef said: “I use one carton for a thicker soup and two cartons for a lighter soup.” Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then lower to a simmer and cook until the butternut squash is tender, around 25 minutes.

Once everything is soft and fragrant, blend the soup until smooth. Season to taste, then finish with a generous twist of black pepper and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for a beautifully rounded flavour.