Posted 21 August 2007 - 11:38am by ben

Beauty Myth: Eat Jello for Strong Nails

This is one of the oldest beauty myths in history. Is it possible to grow stronger nails by eating Jello?

For decades women have suffered from dry, brittle nails and have turned to this at-home “solution”. As the old wives tale goes, dry, brittle & weak nails are caused by a lack of protein and the high levels of protein in gelatin help strengthen nails from within.

It sounds logical, but is it true? The answer is “No”. There is no scientific evidence that eating gelatin helps grow stronger nails. Here are a couple of issues with the above statement.

As opposed to lack of protein being the concern, it’s lack of moisture that is often the true cause of dry and brittle nails. And, while gelatin does contain protein, the quantity isn’t significantly higher than other products, such as some meats. In fact, the human body, itself produces abundant amounts of the same type of proteins found in gelatin.

Could this myth just be a clever marketing ploy? It just may be. In 1890, the Knox Company (a large distributor of gelatin products) started to advertise the high protein levels of their products and made claims of the benefits for dry and deformed nails.

A message that is still talked about over a century later….that is one hell of an advertisement. I think Knox got their money’s worth on that one.

Comments

I'm glad this isn't true

by BelleRose - Aug 24 2007 - 2:43pm

I'm glad this isn't true because I hate jello.

You know for years I have

by Anonymous - Aug 23 2007 - 11:04am

You know for years I have had the worst nails and yes when I was young my mom who is a stylist with the most beautiful nails would tell I and my sisters that Gelatin would help my poor nails grows as my sisters nail grew so great!! I have short horrible nails that I try to hide even after a manicure.....So about Gelatin *Well Gelatin does help Ficus plants keep their leaves No Joke.... After I bought my 5th home I went to Safeway to buy some things for the house and found a ficus plant" well I was a felon YEP I hate to admit it A Ficus Plant killer known world wide"I had successfully killed many Ficus plants and got away with it by stating that they were hard plants to grow" Getting away with murder so I was on Ficus plant probation and found this plant that was so pretty I had to buy it and see if I could stop my evil ways!! No longer killing innocent Ficus plants No more replacing them as if they had no feeling!! As I was getting this twisted ficus one of the managers said Hi to me and I kindly say Hi back ummmmm I said to myself..."DOES HE KNOW I WAS THE NOTORIOUS FICUS KILLER?" I paused and said HI!! again I than asked him ummmm do you know how to take care of these plants I love them yet I tend to kill them... He said yes I do you put plain gelatin with LOTS OF WARM WATER in your plant once a month and it will stop them from losing their leaves. WOW I left Safeway that day with a box of plain gelatin and a mission at hand I was going to keep this ficus alive ...WEEEEEE 19 plus years later and 5 more homes I still have my Ficus plant from Safeway...."Yes Gelatin has properties unknown to man called a binding agent that hold fluid together therefore the Plant or nail if you will retains it moisture"!! Now when using it for your Nails you soak your nails in the gelatin with warm water to open the cuticle layer of your nail bed this than in parts more moisture into your plant or your nail bed....NO I do not work for Knox's nor do I have stock yet I do have over a dozen ficus trees in my home and some are 18 feet plus tall and have lovely leaves...AS for my Nail gezzzzzzz that's a whole other story and something for my buddies the "Myth Busters" Yet my professional opinion is that every person has their own individual nail beds they care for their bodies and what not in a indiviaual way. I believe it is a personal thing when it comes to nails I tend to get my hands into all kinds of things and break nails all the time....SO BOTTOM LINE THE Knox mysteries goes on as for my sisters with the long nails They use Knox's and my mom who is 68 still has her beautiful nails as for the advertisement Hell yes it was and still is a great marketing tool and My Ficus plants are doing great I have been Redeemed ...............

so hoo dosent bite there

by Anonymous - Aug 21 2007 - 2:04pm

so hoo dosent bite there nail da evevryone dose this stuf isss fo girly girly gurls

Good stuff...

by Anonymous - Aug 21 2007 - 11:55am

Good stuff...

REAL SOLUTION THAT WORKED FOR ME

by Anonymous - Aug 21 2007 - 12:50pm

OK SO WE ALL KNOW THAT JELLOW IS NOT THE ANSWER. WHAT COULD BE A GOOD ALTERNATIVE? IN MY OPINION THERE ARE SOO MANY THINGS YOU CAN DO TO GROW YOUR NAILS. I'VE TRIED THEM ALL (APECIALLY THE @ HOME REMEDIES) NOTHING WORKED UNTIL ONE OF MY EX BOYFRIENDS BOUGHT ME THIS GNC MULTI-VITAMIN STUFF. IT'S CALLED HAIR SKIN & NAILS. IT MADE A LIFE CHANGING DIFFERENCE. I NOW HAVE STRONG BEAUTIFUL NAILS AND I ONLY TOOK THE VITAMINS ONCE. I HAD TO FINISH THE BOTTLE TO SEE IF I WAS GETTING POSSITIVE RESULTS, AND I DID. I HAVE NEVER HAD LONG NATURAL NAILS UNTIL I WAS LIKE 18 WICH IS WHEN THIS PRODUCT WAS GIVEN TO ME AND EVER SINCE THEN MY NAILS HAVE PERMANENTELY STAYED STRONG. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE I STILL TAKE MY VITAMINS BUT NOT BECAUSE OF MY NAILS I TAKE THEM BECAUSE I NOTICED CHANGE ON MY HAIR AND SKIN ACTUALLY. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT TO ANY ONE WITH A NAIL ISSUE! GOOD LUCK!

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Beauty Myth: Eat Jello for Strong Nails

Comments

I'm glad this isn't true

You know for years I have

so hoo dosent bite there

Good stuff...

REAL SOLUTION THAT WORKED FOR ME