However, many jellos are still made with artificial food dyes.įor example, Strawberry Jell-O contains sugar, gelatin, adipic acid, artificial flavor, disodium phosphate, sodium citrate, fumaric acid, and red dye #40. Due to consumer demand, some products are now being made with natural colorings, such as beet and carrot juice. Often, many chemicals are added until the desired flavor profile is achieved ( 1).įood colorings in jello can be either natural or artificial. These are chemical mixtures that imitate a natural flavor. Sweeteners used in jello are typically aspartame, an artificial calorie-free sweetener, or sugar.Īrtificial flavors are often used in jello. While gelatin is what gives jello its wiggly texture, packaged jello mixes also contain sweeteners, flavoring agents, and colorings. The gelatin is dissolved in boiling water and then cooled to form a gelatinous, semi-solid substance. Jello is primarily made up of gelatin, a protein extracted from the skins and bones of certain animals. This is what gives jello its characteristic jiggly, gel-like texture. When the mixture cools, the collagen strands reform into a semi-solid state with water molecules trapped inside.

Heating breaks the bonds that hold the collagen together. When you make jello at home, you dissolve the powdered mixture in boiling water. Jello can be purchased as a powdered mix that you make at home or as a pre-made dessert often sold in individual cup-sized servings. The hooves of these animals are primarily made up of keratin - a protein that can’t be made into gelatin. While it’s often rumored that jello is made from horse or cow hooves, this is incorrect. The collagen is then dried, ground into a powder, and sifted to make gelatin. The hides and bones of certain animals - often cows and pigs - are boiled, dried, treated with a strong acid or base, and finally filtered until the collagen is extracted. Gelatin is made from animal collagen - a protein that makes up connective tissues, such as skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones. The primary ingredient in jello is gelatin.

Eating gelatin benefits