First, it is worth asking yourself what gelatin is. It is a gelling substance created after boiling the bones, cartilage and skin of pigs. Therefore, it contains the substances that these parts of the body are made of, including collagen and protein, which are one of the main building blocks of our joints. So we often hear that gelatin will help us rebuild joints, reduce pain and gain greater fitness. Is it really so
First of all, it is worth asking yourself how much gelatin is necessary to really support our joints? Doctors recommend a minimum of 4 grams a day. In the package of powdered gelatine, we find several dozen grams, but we usually use a small teaspoon dissolved in a larger amount of water, i.e. about 4 grams. This is enough to make a whole large bowl of legs in jelly. We usually eat a few portions at the most, and not every day, so it is difficult to talk about a specific effect of this substance on the joints. And how much gelatin is in ready-made jelly powders? Just look at the packaging. The weight is about 20-30 grams, most of which is sugar and other additives. As you can see, also eating jelly does not we will permanently support our joints. Unless we reach for jelly every day for several weeks or months, but there are few such declared amateurs of this dish.
More harm than good
Something else is worth remembering. Both the sugar contained in the jelly and the pork fat and salt found in the jelly legs have a negative effect on the condition of the joints. Sugar causes inflammation in the body, salt causes our legs to swell and retain water, and pork fat is an easy way to lead to fatty joints and heart disease. Application? A diet rich in gelatin could worsen the condition of the joints even more.
Algae collagen
So is the thesis that gelatin helps joints wrong? Only partially. Joints can indeed be helped with a diet, but not the one that contains the most pork gelatin. First of all, it is worth focusing on oils with a high content of Omega-3 and Omega-6 acids, which actually bring results after a month of regular use (several times a week). One of the richest omega-3 fatty acids products are oily sea fish, so if we want to take advantage of their properties, we should reach for good quality fish in jelly with a proven composition (without artificial additives). Let us also remember that there are other gelling agents that are healthier than pork gelatin. These include, for example, gels based on sea algae, which also contain Onega-3 and Omega-6 acids.
Supplements
And what if we are unable to eat algae or sea fish several times a week? In this case, it is better to reach for supplements designed specifically for joints, where we will find collagen without additives that could offset its effect.