What you need to know: Gelatin is a Jello-like substance that forms in homemade bone broths and meat dishes. It is a blend of proteins extracted from the collagen of the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals. Rich in an array amino acids, including the amino acids glycine and proline, it has remained a foundational food for healing and nourishing the body for thousands of years. Gelatin is valued for its medicinal benefits and is considered a cure-all for a multitude of conditions. From supporting infant growth and development, to treating skin and joint disorders, to relieving digestive distress and supporting cardiovascular health, adding gelatin into the diet is a simple home remedy for boosting health.

Why you should try it: Whether you’re a meat eater or not, consider adding gelatin into your weekly routine. Gelatin is an easy way to increase glycine and proline, two amino acids that are used in the production of collagen. Collagen is utilized by the body to strengthen tissues as well as to provide hydration, resistance, elasticity and flexibility properties. As we age, collagen synthesis decreases, leading to wrinkles, a reduction in muscle tone, joint stiffness and pain. By adding gelatin into the diet, collagen levels can be supported, keeping the skin, joints and muscles youthful. Another reason to try gelatin is to improve digestive health. Gelatin can protect and heal the mucosal lining of the gut, helping to regenerate damaged cells. It also aids in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, and may help treat celiac disease, leaky gut, food allergies and hypochlorhydria.

Let’s get together: We get it, the thought of eating an animal-based gelatinous food substance couldn’t be less appealing, but we’ve got the sugar to get a spoonful of this stuff down. Homemade bone broth is rich in gelatin, so we’ve been swapping our afternoon coffee for a mug of broth. We get a regular broth delivery from Summerland along with our fruits and veggies, making our weekly gelatin intake a cinch. More of a DIY kinda girl? Follow this simple recipe to make it at home. Another solution is to add gelatin powder to your green smoothie. It has a relatively neutral taste, and while a bit chalky, once added into a smoothie, it goes completely unnoticed. Grab a bottle of Great Lakes Gelatin Powder and get blending!