Do you remember eating Jell-o as a kid? Remember that fun, jiggly dessert in a rainbow of colours? You were eating gelatin, which is a common ingredient used in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

What Is Gelatin?

Gelatin is an odourless, colourless, tasteless, thickening material that is made by boiling animal tissues like bones, cartilage, tendons and skin. It is most commonly sourced from cows and pigs and is derived from collagen found in the bones and hides of these animals.

Key Health Benefits of Gelatin & How It Made

Gelatin is a hydrolyzed form of collagen, meaning collagen goes through a process where water is added and the molecules of collagen are broken apart during a heating process. You can do this yourself by boiling the bones and cartilage of cows or pigs and is commonly used to make food dishes like aspics.

When the natural molecular bonds are broken down in collagen strands it results in molecular forms that rearrange more easily into a structure which forms a semi-solid gel when cooled, called gelatin. Ultimately, it is chemically similar to collagen and can have similar effects as collagen on the body such as reducing joint pain and strengthening joints, skin, hair and nails.

Top Uses For Gelatin

This unique product has a multitude of uses in the food industry. It is used as a gelling agent to make jiggly desserts, marshmallows and gummy candies shaped like animals. It is also a texturizer used to improve the textures of foods like yogurts and ice creams and is used to stabilize food products like fruit juices and margarine. It has also been used in “reduced fat” products to enhance the “mouth feel” and to simulate the mouth feel of fat without adding calories.

The pharmaceutical industry uses it as a stabilizer in vaccines and as a binder for tablets. It is often used to make capsules, which are used to make both medications and supplements. You can even buy your own gelatin capsules to encapsulate your own herbal formulations.

It is also used in supplement form to treat osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease and is used to strengthen skin, hair and nails. Studies have shown that hydrolyzed gelatin can be useful to reduce joint pain and because it has similar properties to collagen, it can strengthen connective tissues.

Gelatin Alternatives For Vegans

Some people choose to avoid gelatin because it is sourced from animals. Some cultures that do not eat specific animals, such as cows, pigs or horses will want to avoid gelatin made from those particular animals. Sometimes the animal source is listed on the label of the product, however, if it is not and you want to know the source, simply call the company directly to ask about their particular source of gelatin.

For vegetarians or vegans who choose not to eat animal products, there are some vegetarian alternatives to gelatin, including seaweed extracts like agar and carrageenan, and other plant sources like pectin and konjak.

Using Gelatin Capsules For DIY Supplements

You can buy empty gelatin capsules to make your own herbal encapsulations, which allows you to more closely control dosage and make your own unique herbal combinations.

You can supplement with gelatin for joint pain associated with osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease by taking 1500mg daily with meals. Some studies have used very high doses, up to 10 grams per day for osteoporosis with little to no side effects. Some side effects that were noted were digestive upset and allergic reactions. Since it comes from animal sources, you want to be sure you are using a quality product that is free of contaminants.