To simply put the answer to what is gelatin, it’s a naturally derived protein that comes from collagen. And collagen comes from meat. It contains amino acids, which are essential in a healthy diet.
So the health benefits of gelatin are surely the reason for this protein’s popularity. One of the most important ones include proper brain function, joint health, and an improvement in hair and skin condition.
But Then, What Is Gelatin Really?
Gelatin, such a commonly used ingredient in the bouncy, jiggly Jell-O recipe – where does it come from and what is it really? Not many know how this magical ingredient is extracted and how it even works.
So let’s start slow. First, let me tell you what is gelatin, and then we’ll talk about its full potential in the kitchen.
Do you have vegan buddies or family members? If yes, then it’s most likely you’ve heard them say they can’t eat something just because it has the animal meat by-product gelatin. On that note, let me bring to your attention that gelatin is indeed an animal-derived ingredient. It comes from animal tissue known as collagen.
The very thing that turns a meaty soup, braise, or broth into a nearly solid and wiggly mass post-refrigeration is naturally present gelatin. The cartilage, bones, and meat all contain gelatin, and that’s how this ingredient melts into the dish while cooking. And that’s precisely the form and elasticity of commercial gelatin. It’s sold in powder form that you add to your recipes.
Most people use gelatin for preventing the liquid from becoming too runny. Such as for dairy, booze, fruit juices, etc. And this powdered form is certainly better and also more readily available than translucent gelatin sheets that are difficult to find. Plus, the latter demands preparation before you add it to your recipes. Best to buy the powdered form of gelatin!
To be honest, gelatin is found in almost everything. It can turn meringues into chewy, powdery marshmallows. Sweetened cream to indulgent, sweet panna cotta. And fruit juices into delightfully shaped gummy bears.
Now I may be making it sound like that’s an easy thing to do. But then making gelatin is actually a science. First, you dissolve powdered gelatin in cold water. Make sure every little granule touches the surface of the water, each granule should hydrate fully. The next step is to add this dissolved gelatin to warm water to activate the stretching out of collagen molecules.
Then place the mixture in your refrigerator for nearly 4 hours, or overnight is also preferable. This allows the molecules of gelatin to re-bond in order to turn the mixture into a jiggly, smooth, and glossy mass. So that’s the science that goes behind making good gelatin.
A single gelatin packet prepares 2 cups of the jiggly mass. Yet still loose so you can scoop it out easily.
These are the basics of what is gelatin and how it works at home. So now you can make homemade marshmallows and panna cottas without feeling too intimidated by those recipes!
What Is Gelatin – It’s All Protein!
Gelatin contains almost 98 to 99 percent protein. But then it’s incomplete because not all essential amino acids are present, such as tryptophan. However, that’s not a concern because gelatin isn’t the only protein source you’ve included in your diet, right? That means you can easily get your daily dose of tryptophan from some other protein food.
As for which amino acids are found in gelatin, the list includes proline, glutamic acid, glycine, valine, and hydroxyproline. Glycine is the highest at 27-percent, which our bodies don’t produce in sufficient amounts. That means you have to consume this essential amino acid from external sources, like gelatin of course.
Health Benefits of Gelatin
1. It Improves Bone and Joint Health
Did you know that gelatin is recommended as a form of treatment for conditions like osteoarthritis? It’s the most common type of arthritis caused when the cartilage that cushions the joints breaks down, thus resulting in stiffness and pain.
Patients with osteoarthritis take gelatin supplements to minimize joint stiffness and pain. Even athletes use gelatin supplements for treating their aching joints both during activity and when resting. But the drawback is that these supplements have a very unpleasant taste and they make you feel full.
2. It Improves Hair and Skin Appearance
Once again, gelatin supplements come to the rescue for improving the condition and appearance of your hair and skin. Just by incorporating fish or pork collagen into your diet, you can boost skin moisture (by 28-percent with pork collagen and 12-percent with fish collagen) in a matter of only a few weeks.
The consumption of gelatin also improves hair growth and thickness. Gelatin supplements are also given to those dealing with hair loss. They increase your hair mass (by 40-percent) and hair numbers (by 29-percent). So with a certain amount (14 grams) of gelatin a day, you can actually boost your hair thickness.
3. It Boosts Mental Health and Brain Function
Glycine is found in gelatin in large amounts, and glycine has been linked to improving brain function. It improves memory and attention. In fact, glycine consumption is also associated with improving physiological disorders like schizophrenia. Medical researchers have linked one of the possible causes of this mental health condition to an imbalance of amino acids in the body.
So when you take gelatin supplements, the glycine amino acid present in them minimizes the symptoms of schizophrenia. Along with other disorders like BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) and OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
4. It Helps with Weight Loss
Gelatin is free of carbohydrates and fats. Obviously, this depends on how gelatin is made. Thus, gelatin is not loaded with too many calories, so it can aid with weight loss.
With 20 grams of gelatin in your system, you experience a reduction in your appetite by feeling full. A high-protein diet does that to you – keeps you feeling full for a longer time.
Conclusion
Protein-rich gelatin consists of a unique combination of amino acids that offer a host of amazing health benefits. And this includes reducing joint pain, improving brain health, and making your hair and skin look more nourished.
As for what gelatin is and looks like, it’s derived from collagen that comes from meat. And gelatin is flavorless and colorless, so you can incorporate it into your diet very easily.