As I wrote recently, it’s interesting to see how we are turning our attention to old remedies or eating habits to find the answer to better health. Traditional diets included what is known as ‘nose-to-tail’ eating. This meant cultures ate parts of the animal such as tendons, skin, bones, and other gelatinous cuts of meat which just happened to contain high amounts of gelatin. Now of course many of us eat very little meat – some no meat at all, which means we are missing out on gelatin and this may well be a problem, as gelatin has been found to be very beneficial for our health.

One of the most important benefits of gelatin is its ability to heal the gut. I’ve written often about the problems caused by leaky gut syndrome which can arise when large spaces occur between cells which make up the gut wall. This then allows food, toxins and bacteria to enter the bloodstream which in turn can cause many health issues from food intolerances, skin allergies, inflammatory diseases, depression, auto immune diseases and of course the obvious such as poor digestion and Irritable Bowe Syndrome.

Amino acids are necessary for cell development and maintenance, particularly those cells in the intestinal wall. Fortuitously the gelatin contained in collagen contains those necessary amino acids, in particular glutamine, may help repair and maintain the cells in the intestinal wall. The amino acid, glycine contained in gelatin is believed to assist in increasing the production of gastric acids as well as promoting a healthy mucosal lining in the stomach. To enable good digestion, we need these gastric acids. Heartburn and acid reflux can also be reduced by increasing these gastric acids.

Gelatin is derived from collagen which we know helps maintain and improve our skin’s elasticity. Many however wouldn’t be aware, the gelatin derived from collagen also helps strengthen and tone our digestive tract.

Many may have heard of the GAPS diet. Integral to this diet is gelatin-rich soups, particularly bone broths which have been found to help heal the gut. These broths are so important because these animal bones are jam-packed with collagen which then turns to gelatin when simmered in hot water.

When I was researching the benefits of gelatin for gut health some time ago, a customer related a wonderful story to me. She had suffered from IBS for many years and tried many different solutions with little success. She came across some research on gelatin and decided it was worth a try, although she was somewhat sceptical. When she began taking the premium-grade collagen gelatin powder she wasn’t terribly diligent and didn’t take it every day. She realised however on the days she did take the gelatin, she didn’t suffer from her irritable bowel symptoms. She decided then to take the premium grade collagen gelatin powder every day, with great results and said she’d never felt better.

In my last two articles I have written about the effectiveness of hydrolysed gelatin collagen for joint health as well as benefiting our hair, skin and nails. Hydrolysed gelatin collagen is a finer grade gelatin, making it readily available and more readily absorbed by our cells and joints. Whereas for gut health, it is suggested we use non-hydrolysed, as it is not as easily digested. The non-hydrolysed gelatin sits in the gut longer, more effectively enabling the healing of the gut.

It is important to note if you wish to use gelatin to make gummies or jellies, it is necessary to only use the non-hydrolysed gelatin. The hydrolysed gelatin will not set because it is this finer grade.

For more information on the benefits of gelatin or any other health issue call to see Bev and the team at Go Vita your health shop at 5 North St, Batemans Bay, phone on 44729737 or tune into Bev on 2EC every Wednesday at 12.45 pm.