Gelatin
Gelatin is a protein made by processing collagen from animal skin, bones and connective tissue. It dissolves when heated and sets into a gel when cooled.
A promising blood marker, with limits
In a crossover experiment, eight healthy men tried placebo and vitamin C-enriched gelatin on separate occasions before rope-skipping. The 15 g condition increased a blood marker of collagen synthesis. The study also tested participants’ serum on engineered ligaments in the laboratory; these were not measurements of stronger ligaments in the men themselves. 1
What did the next small study find?
A 2019 crossover study in ten active men compared placebo with 15 g of gelatin, hydrolyzed collagen or a mixture, all with vitamin C. Amino acids increased, but variation between participants meant no treatment produced a statistically significant collagen-marker response. Neither experiment established fewer injuries or better joint mobility. 1 2
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Hair & Skin3 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Fitness1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Gut Health2 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Bone & Joint2 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.