Gelatin is mainly used as a gelling agent in candies, marshmallows, gelatin desserts, ice cream, dips and yogurt. Though it’s considered safe, some are convinced it has potentially dangerous health effects.
What Is Gelatin?
Gelatin is a protein made from animal products. Gelatin is a very commonly used food additive that functions as a stabilizer, thickener, or a texturizer. It is used extensively in desserts or sweet confectionery items such as trifles, marshmallows, gummy candies, and, of course, gelatin desserts. Gelatin also works as a thickener in common kitchen items like jams, yogurt, cream cheese and margarine.
Possible Side Effects of Gelatin
Though Gelatin is regarded as safe supplement, there maybe some side effects: Gelatin can cause an unpleasant taste, sensation of heaviness in the stomach, bloating, heartburn, and belching. Gelatin can cause allergic reactions in some people.
GRAS Affirmation: Yes
Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) is an American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designation that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) food additive tolerance requirements. Gelatin is considered safe.
Suggested Dosage
NA.
Special Populations Precaution
There is a lot of concern about diet and nutrition for these population, like Newborns, children, pregnant, sensitive to Gelatin populations. Better consult to your doctor if you would like to intake Gelatin.
Related Research
1. Efficacy, safety, and biodegradation of a degradable scleral buckle of chitosan-gelatin polymer in rabbits. [Retina. 2013 May] Author: Xu T, Yang Y, Yu Y, Zhu R, Chen H.
2. Safety biocompatibility of gelatin hemostatic matrix (Floseal and Surgiflo) in neurosurgical procedures. [Surg Technol Int. 2012 Dec] Author: Gazzeri R, Galarza M, Alfier A.
3. Safety of gelatin for volume resuscitation–a systematic review and meta-analysis. [Intensive Care Med. 2012 Jul] Author: Thomas-Rueddel DO, Vlasakov V, Reinhart K, Jaeschke R, Rueddel H, Hutagalung R, Stacke A, Hartog CS.
4. [Effectiveness and safety of using 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/04 and 4% modified liquid gelatin in neurosurgical patients with massive intraoperative blood loss]. [Anesteziol Reanimatol. 2009 Sep-Oct] Author: Israelian LA, Lubnin AIu.
5. Safety and efficacy of a surgeon-prepared gelatin hemostatic agent compared with FloSeal for hemostasis in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. [J Endourol. 2009 Feb] Author: Guzzo TJ, Pollock RA, Forney A, Aggarwal P, Matlaga BR, Allaf ME
