Many topical applications, prescription medications and over-the-counter products are available to help promote hair growth. How you look is important to you, and finding a healthy way to promote hair growth may be as simple as looking at the food you eat. There is debate over whether consuming gelatin directly affects hair growth, but the main components of gelatin, protein and collagen, are nutrients beneficial to your diet.
What Is Gelatin?
Gelatin is 85 to 90 percent protein, with the remainder made up of mineral salts and water. It is derived from animal collagen and is used in food products such as yogurt and Jell-O to give them their creamy, gelatinous texture.
Amino Acids
Gelatine.org considers gelatin an invaluable protein, containing approximately 18 amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, which are necessary to provide energy and strength to muscles.
Types of Gelatin
Leaf gelatin comes in a more solid form and is used by bakers and butchers in preparing food. Hydrolysate gelatin is used to flavor drinks and is used in dietetic food. Gelatin can be consumed as a drink and also comes in powder form to help desserts such as Jell-O achieve the semi-solid, jiggly form you've come to know.
Scientific Research
While the benefits of protein in human health are considered essential, whether the protein contained in gelatin directly affects hair growth in humans has not been scientifically established. A study published in the June 2003 journal "Biomaterials" examined the growth of hair follicles in mice relative to the use of a growth factor and a collagen hydrogel. The results showed the collagen by itself did not affect hair follicle growth.
Considerations
Gelatin has been used by consumers for years to help nails grow and increase their strength, and is currently being studied to support the collagen naturally occurring in joints. As a natural protein, the nutritional component of gelatin can be considered beneficial. However, whether it specifically stimulates hair follicles is still unclear.
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