Is Jello Healthy? Hear It From The Experts

That sweet, jiggly, colored dessert on the supermarket shelves may always grab your attention. It is jello (Jell-O), a gelatin-based dessert, sold in ready-to-eat or powdered form. It is a trademark of Kraft foods which manufactures jello, puddings, and other gelatin desserts. This fat-free snack is a favorite option for many who want to lose weight.

But is jello really healthy to eat? Is Jello good for you? What happens when you overeat jello loaded with high sugar and artificial flavorings, synthetic dyes, and sweeteners? Here, we answer all your questions and also discuss how you can make your own jello at home. Keep reading.

Know Your Ingredient: Jello

What Is It?
A gel-like, sweet, and colorful product made of gelatin, which is extracted from the skin and bones of cows and pigs.

What Are Its Benefits?
It may help improve bone health and digestion and provide energy.

Who Can Use It?
Anyone can consume it except people who follow a vegetarian and vegan diet to satisfy their sweet tooth cravings.

How Often?
Avoid daily consumption of jello as it is filled with calories.

Caution
Avoid jello if you have diabetes and gelatin allergy. It may also increase the risk of mad cow disease if the manufacturer did not follow the FDA safety guidelines.

Jello Nutrition Facts

Half a cup of jello gelatin (135g) contains (1):

• Calories: 84
• Carbohydrates: 19g
• Sugar: 18g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1.6g
• Sodium: 101 mg
• Potassium: 1.4 mg

Jello is high in sugar and contains low concentrations of vitamins and minerals essential to maintaining optimal health. So, is jello healthy at all? Let us find out.

Is Jello Healthy?

Portion-controlled jellos are convenient if you aim to lose weight. But they are high in sugar and low in protein and fiber (besides offering fewer vitamins and minerals). Hence, jellos could be unhealthy and their intake must be limited. Even sugar-free jellos contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame, whose high intake may cause oxidative stress and cell membrane damage and potentially lead to systemic inflammation (2).

Did You Know?

Peter Cooper, one of the owners of Ringwood Manor and a mechanic, created the first edible gelatin or jello with sweetened flavors. He received the patent for gelatin powder in 1845.

1) May Improve Bone Health

Consuming 5 grams of specific collagen peptides for 12 months daily was found to improve age-related bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. It may also improve bone formation and decrease bone degradation (3). Besides, athletes supplemented with collagen hydrolysate for 24 weeks experienced a reduction in joint pain (4). Hence, the gelatin in jello may potentially help prevent the deterioration of joints. However, more direct research is warranted in this regard.

2) May Help With Weight Loss

Long-term intake of the gelatin diet may suppress hunger. A study by Maastricht University (The Netherlands) found that gelatin intake had increased appetite suppression and reduced energy intake (5). Another study suggests that consuming a gelatin meal may also help maximize satiety in obese individuals (6). This, in turn, could curb overeating and induce weight loss.

Besides, oral supplementation of collagen peptides may help improve collagen density in the dermis layer and skin moisture, and reduce skin aging effects (7). However, limited research is available to prove this claim.

But the collagen content in jello is very low to reap its benefits. Also, eating sugar-rich jellos made with artificial colors and flavorings may cause certain side effects. Let us find out what they are.

Possible Side Effects Of Jello

Christine VanDoren, a nutritionist, says, “When you eat jello regularly, you may feel both positive and negative effects of it. The gelatin in the jello can help with your digestion, ease joint pain, improve sleep quality, and increase your bone strength. On the other end, it has also been known to cause bloating and heartburn. It is important to be aware that many people have a gelatin allergy, so proceed with caution if you have never consumed gelatin before.”

Added sugars (artificial sweeteners) are linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cognitive decline (8). If you want to go with sugar-free jello, the sweetener aspartame may cause inflammation and damage cells (2). A study by Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center (Italy) indicated that aspartame may exhibit carcinogenic effects (9). These sweeteners may also increase your sugar cravings (10).

Jello also contains many artificial colors that may have harmful effects on your health. A review published in the Environmental Health Perspectives suggests that three dyes — red 40, yellow 5, and yellow 6 — account for 90% of the dyes used in foods in the US. These dyes contain benzidine, which may increase cancer risk (11). Sugar dyes may also cause behavioral changes in children if the color doses exceed 50 mg. However, these dosages vary between brands. Moreover, some people may experience allergic reactions after consuming gelatin-based products (12). Stop the intake and consult your doctor if you experience any such reactions.

You can also prepare jello easily at home with natural ingredients. Here are a few simple steps to follow.

How To Prepare Jello Easily At Home?

What You Need

• Apple juice – 2 cups
• Pomegranate juice – 2 cups
• Unsweetened dry powdered gelatin – 2 tablespoons

Process

1. Pour 2 cups (one cup each) of the juice into a bowl.
2. Sprinkle the gelatin and let it sit for five minutes (to soften).
3. Bring the remaining 2 cups of the juice to a boil.
4. Pour the hot juice into the bowl and stir to combine and dissolve the gelatin.
5. Pour into a 9 x 12 baking pan.
6. Refrigerate until firm (for several hours).
7. Cube and serve plain or with whipped cream.

Quick Tip

Alternatively, you can add the juice of one lemon and one cup of orange juice to make orange jello.

Don’t be afraid to add your own tweak to the recipe. Cheryl Tew, a food blogger, makes a delicious jello recipe using orange and raspberry jello along with frozen raspberries, pomegranate, and cranberries. She writes, “I know that this may sound a little strange, but I will never forget the first time I tried this jello, it was like a little slice of heaven. Seriously, it is so yummy (i)!”

Most manufacturers use several artificial ingredients in jello to get the desired color, flavor, and taste. Let us understand what these nutrients are.

What Are The Ingredients Used In Jello Preparation?

Jello is a mix of gelatin, water, food colorings, artificial sweeteners (aspartame, a calorie-free synthetic sweetener), and flavoring agents. Gelatin gives the wiggly texture to jello.

Some brands produce jellos with natural colors (extracted from carrots or beetroots). Most jello brands, however, opt for synthetic colors and artificial flavoring agents. Check the ingredients list on the label if you want to buy jello with natural coloring agents.
Note: Jello is not a vegetarian or vegan dessert as it is made from gelatin extracted from boiled bones, connective tissues, and other animal products.

These are some key ingredients used in Jello preparation. But is the gelatin used in Jello gluten-free? Scroll down to find out.

Is Gelatin Gluten-Free?

While pure gelatin is gluten-free, some canned soups and gummy candies made from gelatin may contain gluten. Hence, always check the product label to ensure there are no added ingredients that contain gluten.

Storing Jello properly is essential to maintain its texture and keep it from spoiling. Understand more about the same in the next section.

How To Store Jello?

Here is how you can store Jello:

• Let the Jello cool down to room temperature after preparing it. Then cover it in aluminum foil and store it in a refrigerator.
• Make sure the prepared Jello is covered tightly to keep it from drying out.
• Avoid freezing Jello as it may cause the water to separate from the gelatin and lead to changes in its texture.

Infographic: Possible Side Effects Of Jello

Jello is a ready-to-eat, sweet gelatin-based product. It has its own set of benefits if consumed in moderation. However, excess consumption of jello may cause adverse effects. We have rounded up the possible side effects of jello in the infographic below! Scroll down to know more!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jello good for your gut?

There is not enough scientific evidence to suggest that Jello is good for your gut.

Is Jello good for your brain?

Maybe. The gelatin present in Jello may have neuroprotective effects (13).

Is Jello keto-friendly?

No. Jello is highly processed and packed with added sugars and is not allowed on a keto diet.

Is Jello anti-inflammatory?

Maybe. The gelatin present in Jello has anti-inflammatory effects

(14).

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Check out this video to learn how to make delicious jelly right at home with this easy-to-follow recipe. From fruity flavors to creative molds, enjoy the fun and satisfaction of making your own homemade jello!

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Dr Archana BatraPG Diploma, CDE

     

Dr Archana Batra is a dietitian, physiotherapist, and Certified Diabetes Educator with over 13 years of experience in nutrition and diet counseling. She specializes in weight management diets and diets related to metabolic disorders like diabetes, high cholesterol levels, hypertension, etc. She believes in following healthy eating practices to lose weight and prevent lifestyle-related disorders. Dr Archana tailors her plans...more

Sindhu KogantiSenior Health & Wellness Writer

 

Sindhu Koganti is a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach and has over 6 years of experience in writing on health and wellness topics. She has a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy. After her graduation, she decided to combine her knowledge of science and love for writing to...more

Ravi Teja TadimallaSenior Editor

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a senior editor and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over eight years. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University. He has written over 300 articles about ingredients and their benefits for the skin, hair, and health. He...more

Aparna MallampalliHealth & Wellness Writer

Aparna is a professor-turned-content writer with over 5 years of experience in life sciences. Her passion for writing and interest in the healthcare and wellness industry pushed her toward a career in content writing. She has a master’s degree in microbiology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy. She aims to use her knowledge of...more