There’s Always Room for Jell-O: 14 Superpowers of Gelatin

This is going to come as a shock, but what if I told you the makers of “America’s Most Famous Dessert” {their slogan, not mine} were actually onto something? Something in that brightly colored jiggly goodness that helps to defy aging, promote weight loss, give you amazing hair and nails, sleep better, and help to alleviate the pain associated with arthritis? Well, kind of.

I’m talking about gelatin. Yes, as in Jell-O. But alas, that childhood favorite is a sugar-laden and artificially colored & flavored version of the real deal.

So, what IS gelatin?

Gelatin is primarily composed of protein, water, and mineral salts. Besides topping the lunch trays of schoolchildren and hospital patients everywhere, it’s used by food manufacturers as a texture-providing food additive in low-fat and other processed foods. This is a prime example of where NOT to get your daily dose of gelatin.

Gelatin contains half of the 18 essential amino acids needed for survival. Two biggies include glycine, which is needed by the liver to efficiently remove toxins; and lysine, which helps to absorb calcium and build muscle.

Gelatin is free of color, additives, and sugar. It’s made from the connective tissue of animals (like cows and pigs), which is extraordinarily nutritious. Hence, my obsession with bone broths. Read all about that here.

Why the obsession with gelatin? 

1. Supports digestion

Gelatin’s unique power of attracting liquid molecules makes it the Belle of the Ball when making Pinterest-worthy gummy fruit snacks. It’s this ability to take shape when the powder is dissolved in water that also makes the digestion of food easier. It naturally binds to water and helps food move through the digestive tract, easily and efficiently.

2. Provides natural allergy relief

If you’ve ever heard of, or worse, experienced “leaky gut syndrome” {hyperpermeable intestines, leading to toxins leaching into your bloodstream = not fun}, you’ll know that many times, this leads to food allergies and sensitivities. Gelatin has been shown to heal the lining of the digestive system. As noted by Sally Fallon, founder of the Weston A. Price Foundation, in her book, Nourishing Traditions, gelatin has been linked to alleviating asthma, fatigue, Crohn’s disease, and colitis. These are conditions brought on or exacerbated by allergies.

3. Boosts joint and bone health

Arthritis sufferers, listen up! Gelatin contains natural anti-inflammatory properties, in addition to preventing and even repairing the degeneration of cartilage. This means less pain and inflammation. In addition, the glycine found in gelatin increases the absorption of calcium in the gut, which promotes optimum bone density and joint health. This is huge for those at risk for osteoporosis, which runs rampant in my family.

4. Is like a time-machine {anti-aging}

Gelatin is made up of collagen. You know, the miracle ingredient you pay bookoo bucks for in fancy face creams to turn back the clock? Yeah, that stuff. When you consume gelatin, in all its collagenous glory, this stimulates the body to create more. This is key, since our bodies produce less of it as we age {hence all those wrinkles}. Adding insult to injury {no disrespect, Clinique}, the collagen added to creams is hard for your skin to absorb. Consuming versus lathering can significantly improve the look and feel of your skin by providing more elasticity {for a lot less $}.

5. Promotes healthy hair and nails

The dynamic duo of collagen and keratin in gelatin can improve hair quality, growth, and texture, making it shiny and strong. These proteins have also been shown to improve nail strength and rate of growth.

6. Is a great source of protein

At a whopping 6 grams per tablespoon, gelatin is the bee’s knees when it comes to boosting protein in your diet. Fugetabout expensive, pricey, and {sometimes} downright toxic protein powder supplements, and add a shot of gelatin to your smoothie. This is ideal for the picky littles in your life who notoriously don’t get enough protein in their diet. Disclaimer: since gelatin is not a complete protein, it should not be considered **the** protein source de jour. The protein in gelatin nicely complements and helps to assimilate other proteins and nutrients in your diet. It’s all about balance, baby!

7. Supports weight loss

That got your attention, didn’t it? Yes, ’tis true. The protein content in gelatin can help take the edge off hunger, keeping you fuller, longer {translation: eating less}. It’s also been noted to increase the production of human growth hormone, which aids in boosting metabolism.

8. Improves sleep

The glycine in gelatin has been shown to improve sleep quality at night, leading to less yawning during the day and improved cognition and memory.

9. Supports the body’s natural detox process

You knooow I love me a good detox, right? Right. Well, this is no exception. The glycine contained in gelatin not only brings us some solid zzz’s, but also helps our liver efficiently metabolize and remove toxins from our body.

10. Boosts immunity

Gelatin boosts immunity and helps fight infection by carrying oxygen to cells in the body while  eliciting an anti-inflammatory effect. You can also boost your immunity naturally by doing these things.

11. Increases wound healing

When collagen is broken down, it releases glycine, which promotes wound healing. Got a cut? Take some gelatin.

12. Reduces cellulite

While the science on this is limited, the anecdotal evidence of this urban legend does exist. Take it for what it’s worth, aiiight?

13. Improves post-workout recovery period and speeds healing from injuries

Similar drinking those preservative-laden protein shakes Tony Horton tells you to drink post P90X, opt for a scoop of gelatin in your green smoothie instead. It may shorten the recovery period after you get your sweat on and lessen muscle soreness. Similarly, if you injure yourself doing one too many kettlebell swings, gelatin’s anti-inflammatory awesomeness can help to speed up the healing process.

14. Supports hormone balance

I’ve talked about hormone imbalance in the past, especially how it relates to weight loss {or lack thereof}. Gelatin is an unsung hero when it comes to balancing the plethora of hormones that seem to get so out of whack by just living our lives.

• Exhibit A: Estrogen

Gelatin has anti-estrogenic effects, which can offset the effects of excess estrogen in the body, as a result of exposure to estrogen-mimics like BPA in plastics, soy, and pesticides. Too much estrogen can cause inflammation, infertility, and accelerated aging.

• Exhibit B: Thyroid

Gelatin promotes optimal thyroid health by balancing the amino acids {tryptophan and cysteine, mainly} that can inhibit thyroid function.

• Exhibit C: Stress hormones

By restricting the amino acids {again, tryptophan and cysteine} gelatin can more effectively combat stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which, when consistently elevated, can lead to premature aging, chronic disease, and weight gain.

OK, I’m sold. Now what? 

This is where the rubber meets the road, my fellow health junkies. Not all gelatin is created equal.

I repeat…Not all gelatin is created equal.

Here’s the scoop.

While all real powdered gelatin is derived in the same manner {from animals}, like everything else, the source matters.

Commercial gelatins, like Knox, are {more than likely} derived from the factory farming industry. This means unethical farming practices, feed lots, GMO-laced grain-fed animals, antibiotics and hormones, among other nightmares. You opt for pasture raised and grass-fed meat, why should your gelatin selection be any different? You want to ensure that the label or manufacturer  website states specifically where the gelatin is sourced from.

My gelatin of choice is from grass-fed, responsibly-farmed animals. Buy that here.

Now, there are two options {pay attention, this is muy importante}:

1. Gelatin Powder {Collagen}

Comes in the red or orange container, and in simple terms, is cooked collagen. It’s the same gel you might see when your homemade bone broth is refrigerated. This gelatin powder causes liquid to gel when heated and cooled. Think back to our friend, Jell-O. It’s important to note that this gelatin powder must be dissolved in hot liquids first, and not added to cold liquids. Otherwise, you’ll get lumpy bits of white stuff floating around. Trust me, this is a major turnoff to those you’re trying to woo into eating more of this goodness.

What to do with gelatin powder:

• Add it to soups, stews, pasta sauces, & gravy

• Make homemade Jell-O and pudding

• Add to homemade ice cream to make creamier

• Add to homemade yogurt as a thickener

• Make healthy gummy fruit snacks 

• Make homemade marshmallows

2. Collagen Hydrolysate

Comes in the green container, and due to the difference in processing, does not cause liquids to gel, making it easily dissolved {not clumping} in both cold and warm liquids. It’s the easiest one to take whenever the mood strikes, because you can literally add it to anything without sacrificing taste or texture.

What to do with collagen hydrolysate:

• Add it to coffee and tea {both hot and iced}

• Stir into milk, juice, and smoothies

• Mix into mashed potatoes, sauces, gravy, soups, and stews

• Add to just about any recipe to boost nutritional profile

But wait, there’s more! 

As you begin your travel down this rabbit hole, you’ll notice you’ve got two more options: porcine or kosher? Oh the decisions!

Here’s the dillio:

Porcine: made from the hide of pigs, it’s cheaper than the kosher {grass-fed} variety.

Kosher {or Bovine}: made from 100% grass-fed cows, so if you do not eat pork for religious or other reasons, you can still get your gelatin fix with this variety.

The fine print: 

As with starting ANYTHING new, it’s best to slowly and incrementally introduce gelatin into your diet. Most people can start off with about ½ to 1 tablespoon per day of collagen hydrolysate and increase by 1 tablespoon every two weeks, as tolerated, maxing out at about 3-6 tablespoons per day.

Before you go buying up stock in gelatin, don’t get carried away. Adding too much, too soon can cause digestive issues {bloating, loss of appetite, etc.}. Ideally, gelatin should complement a nutrient-dense diet, and is not intended to replace things like homemade bone broths and grass-fed/pasture-raised meats.

Yearning for more? 

Check out The Gelatin Secret: The Surprising Superfood that Transforms your Health and Beauty, the BRAND NEW e-book released by my girl, Sylvie with The Hollywood Homestead. It is quite possibly the most comprehensive resource about this amazing superfood and how it can literally transform your health, beauty, and life. PLUS, it’s loaded with over 45 sweet and savory gelatin recipes that make it a cinch to include this superfood in your day to day diet, plus gelatin recipes for your hair and skin!

Get it here. 

Or how about my friend Caitlin’s {A.K.A. Grass Fed Girl} new e-book, Easy Paleo Gelatin Treats that has 30 body-nourishing egg-free recipes for gummies, puddings, and smoothies that have no refined sugar and perfecto for the littles in your life? 

Get it here.

Tell me, what are some of your favorite ways {and recipes} to sneak gelatin into your diet?  I’d LOVE to hear! Please leave a comment! 

Sources:

• Peat, Ray. Gelatin, stress, and longevity.

• Wataru YAMADERA, Kentaro INAGAWA, Shintaro CHIBA, Makoto BANNAI, Michio TAKAHASHI, Kazuhiko NAKAYAMA, Kentaro INAGAWA, Shintaro CHIBA, Makoto BANNAI, Michio TAKAHASHI, Kazuhiko NAKAYAMA. Glycine ingestion improves subjective sleep quality in human volunteers, correlating with polysomnographic changes.