Research shows that taking gelatin can also improve hair thickness and growth. One study gave either a gelatin supplement or a placebo for 50 weeks to 24 people with alopecia, a type of hair loss. Hair numbers increased by 29% in the group given gelatin compared to just over 10% in the placebo group.

If consuming gelatin as a supplement, the National Institutes of Health suggests that taking up to 10 grams a day for up to six months is safe. Gelatin can also be found in other foods, including soups, broths, candies, and desserts.

Gelatin is rich in protein, and has a unique amino acid profile that gives it many potential health benefits. There is evidence that gelatin may reduce joint and bone pain, increase brain function and help reduce the signs of skin aging.

Eating Jell-O (gelatin is the basic ingredient) or unflavored gelatin does not strengthen nails. Nails are composed of protein with a high sulfur content. Nails are ten times more porous than skin and can become chapped (dry) which can increase breakage.

Athletes who snack on gelatin may see similar benefits in their ligaments, Baar concludes. Their ligaments might not tear as easily. The gelatin snack may also help heal tears, he says.

Gelatin alone won’t cure you. According to researcher Keith Baar, its role is to amplify the effects of exercise on the targeted tissue. But you need to optimize the exercise for the connective tissue you’re trying to heal or strengthen.

A new study from Keith Baar’s Functional Molecular Biology Laboratory at the UC Davis College of Biological Sciences and the Australian Institute of Sport suggests that consuming a gelatin supplement, plus a burst of intensive exercise, can help build ligaments, tendons and bones.

Use More or Less Gelatin for Soft and Firm Jello Medium Set: Use 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin for 1 cup of liquid. Firm Set: Use 1 tablespoon of unflavored powdered gelatin for 1 cup of liquid.

You can put Jello in the freezer for maybe 20 minutes or so, but you don’t want it to freeze at all because freezing Jello will ruin it. When frozen, Jello can lose its ability to gel and turn into a watery, goopy mess. Then as it begins to thicken, stick it in the fridge to finish setting up.

10 calories