If you’re unsure how to use gelatin for gut health, I’ve got you covered with some fresh and fun ways to incorporate it into your routine! 

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Using gelatin for gut health is a simple and effective strategy I recommend to my clients and anyone looking to optimize their diet and nutrition. If you’ve ever made Jell-O, you’re already familiar with gelatin, but you might not know that the main ingredient that makes Jell-O magically jiggle is also great for your gut! 

Many consider gelatin a superfood for the gut—and I would have to agree. It’s a staple in my diet, and I encourage clients to add it to their routine several times a week. If you’re unsure how to use gelatin for gut health, I’ve got you covered with some fresh and fun ways to incorporate it into your routine! 

WHAT IS GELATIN?

Gelatin is composed of animal bones, connective tissue, skin, and cartilage. While that might not sound appealing, it is usually flavorless and odorless. The nutrient profile of gelatin is quite impressive.

Gelatin is rich in protein and collagen, which are critical for gut health. But more on that in a minute. Gelatin is a highly versatile ingredient used in cooking and baking. Gelatin acts as a thickener and, when mixed with liquid, creates a gel-like substance.

NUTRIENTS IN GELATIN 

Gelatin is comprised of two primary nutrients: collagen and amino acids. Collagen makes up 30% of the protein in the body and is responsible for strengthening your bones, muscles, and tissues. Gelatin is one of the best sources of collagen!

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. In other words, your body needs amino acids to make protein. There are 20 different amino acids, but gelatin is rich in glycine and proline. 

Glycine supports the production of serotonin, helps build tissue and bones, and aids in detoxification. Proline is known for its anti-aging properties, but it also aids in wound healing, strengthening the gut lining, and supporting cardiovascular health.

It’s important to note that gelatin does contain other amino acids that offer additional health benefits, such as glutamic acid, arginine, lysine, and more. 

HOW GELATIN BENEFITS YOUR GUT HEALTH 

One of gelatin‘s most impressive health benefits is its positive impact on gut health. The amino acids found in gelatin have been proven to strengthen the integrity of the gut while healing and sealing the gut lining. 

Supporting the gut lining is especially important in those with Leaky Gut Syndrome. Leaky Gut occurs when the gut lining is loose and weak, allowing food particles to leak into the bloodstream. When unaddressed, this can increase inflammation in the body and result in chronic illness, such as autoimmunity.

Gelatin also supports healthy digestive function by enhancing gastric acid secretion to aid in the breakdown of food and absorption of nutrients. Additionally, gelatin restores gut mucosa and encourages healthy enzyme production. Talk about a gut health superfood! 

Gelatin For Gut Health:

• Repairs the gut lining and improves intestinal permeability 
• Produce gastric acid secretions needed for proper digestion
• Aids in nutrient absorption
• Activates digestive enzymes
• Absorbs water and fluids, which prevents fluid retention and bloating
• Improves toxin elimination 

OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS OF GELATIN 

Most of our immune system is housed in our gut. So, when our gut health is subpar, our immune function can suffer. This can lead to chronic diseases– or even autoimmunity. Therefore, including more gelatin in the diet can benefit other imbalances.

While gelatin is a superstar when it comes to the gut, it’s also known for improving health in various other ways, such as:

• Protecting joints and cartilage
• Reducing painful joints
• Improving skin and hair
• Strengthening nails
• Increasing cognitive abilities
• Supporting immune function
• Improving muscle recovery
• Strengthening bones
• Improving sleep quality
• Supporting heart health
• Reducing inflammation levels
• Strengthening teeth
• Supporting detoxification 
• Curbing sugar cravings

These health benefits of gelatin make it a great addition to every diet!

FOODS THAT CONTAIN GELATIN

You can get some gelatin naturally by eating animal proteins such as bone-in beef, chicken thighs, and drumsticks. You can also drink homemade bone broth or buy packaged bone broth. I recommend Bonafide Provisions. If you are looking for a top-quality store-bought option, you can pick it up at most health food stores. 

FOND Bone Broth is my personal favorite store-bought brand of bone broth. You can buy it online and have it shipped to your home quickly. I love that they have many different varieties and alternatives if you need to avoid high-FODMAP spices due to SIBO. 

Another place you can find top-quality bone broth rich in gelatin is at a local farm in your area. I recently switched to getting my bone broth from a local farm, and it is one of the best I’ve ever had! You can use this handy Farm Match tool to search for a top-quality farmer close to you who may have this option available. 

Drinking bone broth between meals is the best way to get the benefits of gelatin. Aim for at least 1 cup daily. 

WHERE TO GET HIGH-QUALITY GELATIN POWDER 

An easy way to incorporate gelatin into your routine to improve gut health is to add in gelatin powder. Unfortunately, not all gelatin products are created equal. Many are not third-party tested and contain alarmingly high amounts of heavy metals, which are of particular concern as they can contribute to leaky gut. 

Furthermore, most brands that source gelatin do not claim to be non-GMO, free of additives, or sourced from pasture-raised cows that aren’t given antibiotics—three of the most important characteristics to look for in gelatin products.

The brand of gelatin powder that I trust above the rest is Perfect Bovine Gelatin. This gelatin is sourced from Brazilian pasture-raised cows and is third-party tested for quality, ensuring it is free of heavy metals and GMOs. Better yet, their product is Perfectly Pure certified, guaranteeing its quality. 

I like using this gelatin to make homemade protein-rich meals, snacks, and gut-healthy treats. 

5 WAYS TO INCORPORATE GELATIN INTO YOUR ROUTINE TO IMPROVE GUT HEALTH

Over the years, I’ve discovered many creative ways to add and even sneak gelatin powder into recipes. 

Smoothies

Add 1-2 scoops of gelatin to your smoothie as an extra gut booster. For more inspo, check out my Gut Healthy Smoothie Formula! 

Gut Gummies

This is my absolute favorite way to incorporate gelatin. The possibilities are endless. Not only can you make them a gut staple to enjoy daily, but you can also make them with ingredients to support stress, sleep, energy, and more! 

For gut gummy tips, a complete walkthrough of how to bloom gelatin, and different ways to tweak gut gummies for your specific health goals, check out my gut gummy recipe here! 

Homemade Marshmallows

The main ingredient in marshmallows is, you guessed it, gelatin! Making gut-healthy marshmallows is easier than you think and is so much fun for the whole family. You can melt them as a sticky glue for homemade gluten-free cereal bars, add them to a healthy bone broth hot chocolate, or just eat them on their own as a healthy sweet treat! 

Check out the recipe to make homemade gut-healthy marshmallows here! 

Bulletproof coffee, latte, or frothy tea

Did you know you can blend gelatin into your high-quality organic coffee (or any hot beverage) to create a frothy, thick latte? 

Add 1-2 tbsp of gelatin to your hot coffee and 1-2 tsp of ghee, pasture-raised butter, or MCT oil. Blend for 30 seconds, and you’ll have a dairy-free cafe latte with all the gut-boosting benefits! 

Bone Broth Hot Chocolate 

Imagine a delicious, cozy hot chocolate—but make it gut-healthy! If you love chocolate as much as I do, this is a recipe I would check out. 

WRAPPING IT ALL UP

Gelatin is an excellent addition to a gut health routine. It is specifically beneficial in supporting the gut lining, but it also supports immunity, heart health, bone strength, healthy skin, and so much more. 

Quality gelatin is always key! The brand of gelatin powder that I trust above the rest is Perfect Bovine Gelatin. This gelatin is sourced from Brazilian pasture-raised cows and is third-party tested for quality, ensuring it is free of heavy metals and GMOs. 

Add gelatin to your smoothies, coffee, or hot chocolate to make them thick and frothy. You can also consider adding gelatin to healthy gut treats like gut gummies or homemade gelatin marshmallows. 

Do you consume gelatin regularly? Share some benefits you’ve personally experienced below! 

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