In my journey to health, I try to fit protein into my meals and beverages in any way I can.
I discovered these awesome fruity drink mixes by Bariatric Choice that taste great and aren't chalky like most protein shakes made from whey powders. I've recently bought more of these types of products from brands like Wonderslim, and BariWise and they are equally refreshing. I was hoping to find a protein powder that I could mix into my flavored water to get the same effect without the extra cost of individual packets. I also wanted something to mix into soups and other foods. Currently I use Quest unflavored protein, which mixes well but is still thick when added to foods and drinks.I looked at the label of the fruity protein drink mix and discovered the first ingredient is Hydrolyzed Gelatin.
What the heck is that? Is it protein? I decided to do some research and discovered it IS protein and so much more. Do you know what you're eating when you eat gelatin? Wikipedia reports "Gelatin is a mixture of peptides and proteins produced by partial hydrolysis of collagen extracted from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals such as domesticated cattle, chicken, pigs, and fish."
There are many benefits to eating gelatin. Since gelatin comes from collagen of animals and we don't usually eat connective animal tissues in our diet, gelatin can be added to the diet to reap the benefits of this collagen! Many health experts explain these benefits. One article I found by Dr. Axe goes into detail. Did you know eating gelatin or incorporating gelatin powder or bone broth into your diet:
1. Improves Gut Health and Digestion
2. Protects Joints and Lowers Joint Pain
3. Helps Improve Sleep Quality
4. Lifts Your Mood and Improves Cognitive Abilities
5. Improves Skin Health
6. Helps Maintain Heart Health
7. Maintains Strong Bones
8. Helps You Feel Full
Awesome! So back to this hydrolyzed gelatin in my fruit drinks. What is it? The term hydrolyzed refers to the processing of gelatin into a form that's usable for making a powder or drink mix. You still get the benefits of collagen, just in a different form versus eating a plate of pork tendons. There's more details of how collagen and gelatin powders are produced here. As with any healthy supplement, there's also a limit. Individual needs will vary, but most people can start off with about ½ -1 tablespoon per day of collagen hydrolysate, and increase by 1 tablespoon every two weeks or so as tolerated. According to Ray Peat PhD, gelatin can make up about 30% of total protein intake, which for the typical person is about 3-6 TBL of gelatin per day (1 tablespoon of gelatin is 6 grams of protein).
Important Note: Remember not to get too carried away with gelatin. Adding too much too quickly can cause digestive issues: bloating, loss of appetite, stomach ache are just a few side effects.
