Contents:
- What is gelatin?
- The benefits of gelatin are ...
- 1. Source of animal protein
- 2. Promotes digestion
- 3. Treat joint pain
- 4. Control blood sugar
- 5. Maintaining bone health
- 6. Improve sleep quality
Pudding and gelatin certainly feel familiar to the tongue. But did you know that it turns out that these two desserts store various health benefits thanks to the main ingredients of the maker, namely gelatin. Gelatin is another form of collagen.
What is gelatin?
Gelatin is another form of gelatin, which is obtained from the process of boiling bones, cartilage, or animal skin.
Collagen is the most abundant type of fibrous and insoluble protein in the body of mammals. Collagen is the main foundation of bones, skin, tendons, and ligaments to give it structure and strength. Collagen is also found in many other body parts, including blood vessels, corneas, and teeth. Like, collagen is a glue that holds the whole body together. Even the word collagen actually comes from Greek, "kólla" which means glue.
After passing through the processing stage, collagen will show its appearance as a colorless and tasteless substance. Gelatin is what we get from this process. After the gelatin cools, the texture will thicken like agar. Generally, gelatin is made from pork. But in Indonesia more commonly found gelatin made from cattle on the basis of halalness.
Gelatin is generally available in the form of thin transparent sheets, like plastic. To process it, gelatin must be dissolved first in hot water and then added as a mixture of sauce, soup, until dessert. There are many benefits that we can get from gelatin. What are they?
The benefits of gelatin are ...
Gelatin is as healthy as collagen because the amino acid content is the same as collagen.
1. Source of animal protein
Because it is made from animal parts, gelatin contains a large amount of protein. Half a glass of dissolved gelatin (120 ml) can contain up to 2 grams of protein. Most sources of animal protein contain saturated fats that are not good for health, while gelatin does not contain fat at all.
2. Promotes digestion
Gelatin can help facilitate digestion. The content of glycine in gelatin is responsible for repairing the walls in the digestive tract. In addition, gelatin can also stimulate the production of stomach acid, which makes food digestion better. Without sufficient digestive enzymes, you can experience gastrointestinal disease, such as gastric acid reflux. Gelatin also dissolves in water and makes it easier for food to move in the digestive tract.
3. Treat joint pain
Basically gelatin is the same as collagen which is useful to relieve joint pain caused by inflammation. According to the US National Library of Medicine, several studies have shown that gelatin can reduce pain and improve joint function in people with osteoarthritis.
4. Control blood sugar
A 2002 study stated that glycine, one of the amino acids in gelatin, can control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. In the study it was said that administration of glycine could increase the effectiveness of insulin.
5. Maintaining bone health
Lysine, which can be found in gelatin, can strengthen bones. Lysine can help the body absorb calcium, which is needed by the bones to become stronger and prevent loss. Lysine cannot be made by the body itself, so it can only be obtained from food, and gelatin is one of them.
6. Improve sleep quality
Gelatin can help you sleep better thanks to the content of glycine in it. A 2012 study stated that glycine intake can make the body become fresher, fitter, and not easily tired during the day. On the other hand, glycine helps release sleepy hormone melatonin at night so that you are more likely to fall asleep and sleep more soundly without interference.
So, don't hesitate to add gelatin to your healthy food menu!
