GELATIN: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews (2024)

Overview

Gelatin is a protein made from animal collagen, usually from cows and pigs. It's commonly used to make capsules, cosmetics, ointments, and foods.

Collagen is one of the materials that make up cartilage, bone, and skin. Taking gelatin might increase the production of collagen in the body.

People use gelatin for aging skin, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, brittle nails, obesity, diarrhea, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse gelatin with collagen type I (native), collagen type II (native), or collagen peptides. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Ineffective for

  • Diarrhea. Taking gelatin tannate by mouth doesn't benefit infants and young children with diarrhea.

There is interest in using gelatin for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Gelatin is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used in larger amounts as medicine, short-term. But taking high doses of 15 grams daily might increase the risk for side effects, including sore throat, swollen gums, and mouth sores.

Gelatin comes from animals. This has led to some concern about contamination from sick animals. But there haven't been any reports of people getting sick after using gelatin products made from animals.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Gelatin is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used in larger amounts as medicine, short-term. But taking high doses of 15 grams daily might increase the risk for side effects, including sore throat, swollen gums, and mouth sores.

Gelatin comes from animals. This has led to some concern about contamination from sick animals. But there haven't been any reports of people getting sick after using gelatin products made from animals.

Pregnancy: Gelatin is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe to use colla corii asini, a specific type of gelatin made from donkey hide, in larger amounts as medicine. There isn't enough reliable information to know if other kinds of gelatin are safe to use as medicine when pregnant. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Breast-feeding: Gelatin is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if gelatin is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Children: A specific type of gelatin, called gelatin tannate, is possibly safe when taken by mouth as medicine for up to 5 days. In children under 3 years old or that weigh less than 15 kg (33 lbs), taking 250 mg of gelatin tannate four times daily for up to 5 days seems to be safe. In children over 3 years old or that weigh more than 15 kg, taking 500 mg of gelatin tannate four times daily for up to 5 days seems to be safe.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for GELATIN overview.

Dosing

Gelatin is commonly used to make foods, cosmetics, and other products. As medicine, different forms of gelatin, including gelatin made from donkey hide and gelatin tannate, have been used. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circ*mstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

GELATIN: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews (2024)

FAQs

GELATIN: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews? ›

When taken by mouth: Gelatin is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used in larger amounts as medicine, short-term. But taking high doses of 15 grams daily might increase the risk for side effects, including sore throat, swollen gums, and mouth sores.

What is the overview of gelatin? ›

gelatin, animal protein substance having gel-forming properties, used primarily in food products and home cookery, also having various industrial uses. Derived from collagen, a protein found in animal skin and bone, it is extracted by boiling animal hides, skins, bones, and tissue after alkali or acid pretreatment.

What is the side effect of gelatin? ›

There's some evidence that gelatin in doses up to 10 grams daily can be safely used for up to 6 months. Gelatin can cause an unpleasant taste, sensation of heaviness in the stomach, bloating, heartburn, and belching. Gelatin can cause allergic reactions in some people.

What does gelatin do to your body? ›

In addition to improving the elasticity of the skin, gelatin can also strengthen connective tissues. Studies have shown that collagen supplements like gelatin can reduce joint pain. They have also found that it can strengthen joints by increasing the density of the cartilage.

What are the guidelines for using gelatin? ›

Points to remember

Soak leaf gelatine in cold water for a few mins to soften. Squeeze excess water from the sheets before adding to a hot base liquid (such as flavoured cream or fruit juice). Stir well. Pour into a lightly oiled mould and chill for 4-6 hours, or until completely set.

What is the main function of gelatin? ›

Gelatin is used as a gelling agent, thickener, or stabilizer in food, pharmaceutics, and cosmetics because of its viscoelastic characteristics.

What is gelatine used for? ›

It is a common ingredient in soups, broths, sauces, gummy candies, marshmallows, cosmetics, and medications. This common thickening and gelling agent is an animal-based product that contains high levels of protein. In this article, learn about the possible health benefits of gelatin and who may want to avoid it.

Who should avoid gelatin? ›

Because gelatin typically comes from animals, it is not appropriate for use by people who are vegan or vegetarian. Vegans and vegetarians should look for plant-based gelatin.

Is gelatin hard on liver? ›

Protects the digestive tract: Gelatin has been shown to help protect the intestinal wall from damage, minimizing common intestinal conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Reduce liver damage: Helps protect and enhance liver function, minimize damage caused by factors that are detrimental to the liver.

What is the healthiest form of gelatin? ›

Source: When it comes to our food and food supplements it is important to consider not only what we eat, but what our food eats. Opt for gelatin sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised animals.

What are the precautions of gelatin? ›

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Gelatin is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used in larger amounts as medicine, short-term. But taking high doses of 15 grams daily might increase the risk for side effects, including sore throat, swollen gums, and mouth sores.

Can bacteria grow on gelatin? ›

The sugared gelatin is an excellent medium for supplying bacteria with nutrients and an environment in which we can see them grow. CAUTION: Most bacteria collected in the environment will not be harmful. However, once they multiply into millions of colonies in a petri dish they become more of a hazard.

Does gelatin spike insulin? ›

In conclusion, a single gelatin meal induces a rise in plasma GLP-1 followed by an increase in serum levels of insulin.

How do you describe gelatin? ›

Gelatin or gelatine (from Latin gelatus 'stiff, frozen') is a translucent, colorless, flavorless food ingredient, commonly derived from collagen taken from animal body parts. It is brittle when dry and rubbery when moist.

What is the point of gelatin? ›

Gelatin is a protein made from animal collagen, usually from cows and pigs. It's commonly used to make capsules, cosmetics, ointments, and foods. Collagen is one of the materials that make up cartilage, bone, and skin. Taking gelatin might increase the production of collagen in the body.

What is gelatin made out of? ›

Gelatin is made from the body parts of animals—mainly pieces of skin, bones, and connective tissue. Both animals and humans have collagen in their skin and bones, which gives them strength and elasticity. Gelatin is derived from the collagen present in these animal parts.

What is the basic ingredient of gelatin? ›

Gelatin is made from animal collagen — a protein that makes up connective tissues, such as skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones. The hides and bones of certain animals — often cows and pigs — are boiled, dried, treated with a strong acid or base, and finally filtered until the collagen is extracted.

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