# Jello - fact or fiction?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jello-fact-or-fiction/50706>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 18, 2001, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jello-fact-or-fiction/50706 "2001-01-18T16:34:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![2planka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/a8b319/32.png) [@2planka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2planka)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jello-fact-or-fiction/50706/1 "2001-01-18T16:34:45Z")

</div>

My health-nut psycho-runner roommate claims that eating piles of Jello helps ward off joint strain caused by exercise. Is he just making excuses for liking the stuff? After all, when you think about where it comes from it’s pretty nasty. :eek:

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jello-fact-or-fiction/50706/2 "2001-01-19T01:34:08Z")

</div>

This has never been shown, AFAIK.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jello-fact-or-fiction/50706/3 "2001-01-19T04:30:20Z")

</div>

In 1998 a researcher at Ball State University found that doses of gelatin given daily for eight weeks relieved knee joint pain and stiffness. Apparently gelatin contains two amino acids useful in repairing cartilage. The supplement given in the study contains much more gelatin than a serving of Jell-O, but I couldn’t find out exactly how much. As far as I know, the results of this research have not been replicated elsewhere. See [this article](http://web.bsu.edu/news/news/1998/10_98_oct/102698gelatin.htm)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jello-fact-or-fiction/50706/4 "2001-01-19T04:43:25Z")

</div>

I found a site that discusses several studies into gelatin and joint health. Again, they don’t say how much gelatin was given. [The Role of Gelatin-Based Dietary Supplements in Maintaining Joint Health](http://www.pharminfo.com/pubs/msb/joint248.html)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2001, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jello-fact-or-fiction/50706/5 "2001-01-20T03:06:52Z")

</div>

Theoretically, the collagen that forms tendons, ligaments and connective tissue is made from protein that contains high levels of glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. Vitamin C is used to cross-like the collagen and give it additional strength.

Chrondrotin and glucosamine are components of the mucopolysaccharides in cartilage that can be worn away in osteoarthritis.

This is the basis for taking these meds for joint pain. In practice, it is my suspicion that most Americans get tons of protein in their diet and have as much collagen precursors as they can use without eating Jello. The data on supplementing with chondroitin and other “herbal” remedies is sufficiently tantalizing that I would try these if I personally had arthritis; however there is nothing conclusinvely showing a benefit AFAIK. I have not looked for these papers in the last 3 years or so.