Free-Range Chicken
Ireland's most versatile clean protein.
Free-range chicken is one of Ireland's most important protein foods — and when sourced well, one of the cleanest and most gut-friendly animal proteins available. It provides complete protein with all essential amino acids, glycine-rich connective tissue (especially in thighs and wings), and zinc and selenium which are critical for gut lining repair and immune function. Monaghan and Cavan are Ireland's primary poultry counties.
Why it matters
Complete Protein
All essential amino acids in highly digestible form — ideal for gut lining repair.
Glycine for Gut Lining
Especially in darker cuts and bone broth — glycine directly repairs intestinal tight junctions.
Zinc Source
Zinc is critical for gut lining integrity — deficiency directly causes increased intestinal permeability.
Selenium
Essential for glutathione production — the body's primary antioxidant and gut-protective enzyme.
How to eat it
Use bone-in thighs over breast for more nutrients and better flavour. Slow-roast with garlic and olive oil. Make bone broth from the carcass — simmering for 12-24 hours releases collagen and glycine that directly repair the gut lining. Pair with fermented vegetables for a complete probiotic-protein plate. Avoid processed chicken products which contain additives that disrupt the microbiome.
Bone broth from chicken contains high concentrations of glutamine and glycine — two amino acids clinically shown to reduce intestinal permeability (leaky gut) and support tight junction protein synthesis in the gut lining.
Source: Rao & Samak, Journal of Epithelial Biology & Pharmacology, 2012
Pairs well with
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