The great debate: Gelatin Vs Collagen

It’s the million dollar question we are asked on a daily basis. Which product is suitable for me? Gelatin or Collagen? What is their role and how can they help me maintain healthy diet in this busy day and age?

Let’s explore the two in further detail.

What is Collagen?

Collagen is the main protein of the connective tissue and the most abundant protein in the human body. Collagen helps the skin maintain its youthful appearance. This vital protein is present in the dermal layer of the skin, which ensures elasticity and structural support. As we age, the collagen levels in our skin deplete, which causes wrinkles and fine lines on the skin. Since collagen is essential for healthy nails and hair, any lack of this protein in the body will reflect on hair and nails, too: they will become weak and lifeless.

Luckily, it is possible to bring collagen to the optimal levels. Even our ancestors knew about the power of collagen-rich food. Today, we do not have to consume large quantities of animal meat to maintain healthy levels of collagen! Natural collagen protein is a great source of collagen that will keep the skin youthful and elastic. Furthermore, it promotes healthy bones, joints, hair and nails and it contributes to a healthy diet.

When choosing a natural collagen protein product, make sure to go after a high-quality product. Cheap collagen products can do more harm than good, especially if they come from animals that are given hormones and steroids.

The collagen we stock come from free range, pasture raised animals that are never given any hormones, steroids or antibiotics. Our collagen protein products are of high-quality and do not contain any additives or preservatives.

This product will NOT set into a gel therefore suitable to simply mix the collagen powder with juice, water or milk to make a tasty drink that will boost your collagen levels.

What is Gelatin?

You may be more familiar with gelatin. Gelatin is a purified protein generated as a result of cooked collagen. Think about it as a dried bone broth powder. Gelatin has numerous uses: for example, the jelly substance you see in lollies and homemade stocks/broths comes from gelatin. To produce gelatin, collagen has to be cooked and the resulting substance is dried into a fine powder for commercial use. When this powder comes into contact with water or liquid it will form a gel-like substance that is well known for being made into ‘jelly’. Gelatin has amazing healing properties such as repairing skin tissue, strengthening muscles and joints, healing the gut and so much more.

The best way to consume gelatin is by making your own stock/broth from simmering lamb, beef or chicken bones for a period of 12-24 hours. Once it cools, it will form a ‘jelly’ like substance which is essentially a homemade gelatin! This broth is an ancient remedy and people to this day know the ‘chicken soup’ as a remedy for colds!

So, as we all know, life can be crazy busy and not everyone has a pot of stock boiling away all day. This is where we come in: we stock 2 brands of powdered gelatin only. We stick to powdered gelatin because we are committed to sourcing only the healthiest forms of gelatin. Keep in mind that most of the brands you can get at the supermarket for questionably cheap prices are of very poor quality. Such gelatin is not guaranteed to come from free range animals that are grass-fed without the use of hormones. The brands we stock come from healthy animals that are grass-fed and free range, meaning they are not confined to feed lots where they are being forced to eat grains. Healthy animals mean a healthier product.

This product WILL set into jellies, gummies and pate. Simply add a few spoons into warm liquid until dissolved then add to the fridge to set. They make delicious  probiotic gummies too!