The Benefits of Gelatin

Gelatin is a protein that comes from various animal bones and connective tissue. It is commonly used in soups, sauces and desserts.

It is made from long strings of amino acids that are attached to hydrogen. These long strings of amino acids tend to stick together at room temperature.

Protein

Gelatin is a natural thickener, stabilizer and texturizer that is an excellent source of protein. It can be added to cold water or hot liquids, making it a great way to add more protein and body to your favorite recipes.

It is 98% protein by dry weight and contains a wide array of amino acids, including glycine and proline. Additionally, it contains hydroxyproline, glutamic acid, alanine, lysine and cysteine.

While the benefits of gelatin are not well understood, some studies suggest that it can help improve sleep quality, lower blood sugar levels and protect the gut. It may also boost skin elasticity and reduce joint pain.

There are different types of gelatin, including hydrolyzed and whole protein. Both are a healthy addition to your diet, but hydrolyzed is easier to digest and can be added to cold liquids.

Glycine

Glycine is one of the most important amino acids. It helps your body create collagen, a substance that gives connective tissue its strength and flexibility.

In addition, it helps the body make glutathione, an antioxidant that protects your cells from free radical damage. It also helps your liver process toxins and flush out heavy metals.

Some studies suggest that glycine may help with weight loss and type 2 diabetes. It’s thought to increase satiety hormones, such as leptin, and lower appetite hormones like ghrelin.

It’s also beneficial for gut health, since it can stimulate stomach acid production and natural digestive enzymes. It can help ease bloating, indigestion and heartburn.

Proline

Proline is an amino acid that is needed for the synthesis of collagen, which helps strengthen skin, tendons, and bones. It also supports tissue health and stalls inflammatory responses, like those caused by arthritis.

Gelatin is high in proline and hydroxyproline, which can be a good addition to the diet for people who may have low levels of these amino acids or who are experiencing certain conditions. Including more proline in your diet can improve skin health, speed healing time, relieve joint pain and reduce the risk of heart disease.

It’s not a complete protein, but it is one of the most concentrated sources of proline and hydroxyproline. It’s also high in glycine and other important amino acids, which your body needs to make glutathione, the master antioxidant that helps protect the cells from free radical damage.

Calcium

Gelatin is an excellent source of calcium, and it can be incorporated into your diet to help prevent bone loss. It also helps to improve your bone density and reduce your risk of osteoporosis.

In addition, gelatin is an excellent source of essential amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. These amino acids can help promote skin, joint, hair and nail health.

Moreover, gelatin contains the amino acid glycine, which may be beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes as it can help manage blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation.

Similarly, a study in rats found that fish-derived gelatin hydrolysate (FGH) and porcine-derived gelatin hydrolysate (PGH) increased cortical thickness and prevented the decrease in trabecular bone mineral density (BMD) seen in magnesium deficient rats. However, it did not affect Young’s modulus or intrinsic biomechanical properties.