The hazards of jelly
Release time : 06/09/2025 09:30:01
Crystal clear jelly is always attractive to greedy little ones. Nowadays, the fruit jelly available on the market is not only colorful but also made with colorants rather than fresh fruit juice. Many parents think that jelly is a fruit product and believe it's beneficial for their children, however, this is a significant misconception. Jelly can indeed have a considerable impact on a child's development. Potential harms of jelly: The appearance of jelly is very tempting, especially attracting children and even many adults who love this tangy and sweet snack. However, did you know? Jelly is not actually a fruit product; it's primarily made from various food additives and can be considered as junk food. Nevertheless, some jelly contains ingredients from fruits, but since they are not fresh and contain preservatives, they become an unhealthy food. Having mentioned all this, what potential health issues does jelly pose to our bodies? Firstly, eating too much jelly, especially in children, can affect the absorption of fats and proteins, which in turn interferes with the body's intake and use of iron, zinc, and other trace elements. The direct consequence is leading to picky eating. Mothers know that a bad habit like picky eating is difficult to correct; to prevent your little one from becoming a picky eater, try to limit their consumption of jelly.
Secondly, there are many additives in jelly. These artificial additives can harm our bodies. Not only do they lack nutritional value, but they also increase the burden on the kidneys. We all know that the kidneys are for elimination. If these additives are excessive, they can increase the burden on the kidneys and even leave toxic substances in the body, affecting metabolism and negatively impacting the growth and development of children and adolescents.
Besides these concerns, the main danger of jelly is its impact on nutrient absorption. This type of snack can disrupt appetite, significantly affecting our ability to absorb nutrients. Mothers should be aware that children who frequently eat snacks are prone to pickiness and aversion to certain foods. Therefore, it's best to limit their consumption of such snacks and opt for fresh fruits to enrich their daily meals.
Gummy bears are a delicious treat, but it's important to understand their composition. Don't be fooled by their appealing appearance and taste; they are primarily made up of additives. Let's take a closer look at the main ingredients of gummy bears. These treats consist mainly of thickeners, flavorings, colorants, and sweeteners. They are primarily made from alginate, gelatin, casein, and flavorings and pigments, all of which are food additives. Although these substances may not pose significant health risks in large quantities, prolonged consumption can harm the body. The primary concern is the burden on the kidneys. Kidney function declines, affecting the overall metabolism of the body.
To enhance its taste, gelatin often incorporates appealing essences, which are made from compounds dissolved in alcohol. However, vibrant gelatin is colored with pigments that can affect the absorption of fats and proteins by the body and reduce kidney function, leading to accumulation of toxins within the body and negatively impacting health.
Gelatides also contain substances such as alginate and agar, which are classified as dietary fibers. However, if consumed in excess, these substances can affect the absorption of fats and proteins, particularly causing iron, zinc, and other trace elements to form soluble or insoluble complexes, thereby hindering our body's ability to absorb these micronutrients. Therefore, it is said that the ingredients in gelatides are detrimental to health.
Jelly has nutrients. Although some of the components in jelly can be harmful to our body, it is not completely without any nutritional value. Some components in jelly are still beneficial to us. Let's take a look at them.
1. Seaweed gelatin is a common additive in seaweed jelly, which is a natural food additive. In fact, it is a soluble dietary fiber. We all know that dietary fiber helps regulate our digestive health, promotes bowel movements and is essential in our daily diets. And jelly has this effect; eating some jelly might even cure your constipation.
2. Low-molecular-weight sugars, often found in gelatin desserts, can effectively regulate intestinal microbiota, increase beneficial bacteria, maintain intestinal flora balance and health, enhance absorption capabilities, and reduce the risk of diseases. Eating too much undigestible food? Try some gelatin desserts to facilitate digestion.
3. Low in calories; a key advantage of fruit jelly is its low calorie content. It contains virtually no protein or fat, which means it doesn't contribute to the intake of energy-rich nutrients. Therefore, it can be safely used during weight loss efforts and serves as an excellent food option for those looking to slim down.
Can jelly be eaten by children? Jelly can be eaten by children, but not too much. Occasionally eating some is permissible.
As we mentioned earlier, the ingredients in jelly are almost entirely additives. Although some of them can be beneficial to health, most of them are harmful. Especially for children who are still growing and developing, jelly contains additives that can put a burden on the kidneys, causing harmful substances to accumulate in the body and not be eliminated. This situation can greatly affect their growth and development.
Apart from affecting children's development, jelly can also negatively impact appetite. Children who frequently consume jelly are more likely to develop picky or stubborn eating habits. Once these habits are established, it is difficult to correct them! Moms must keep a tight rein on their children and only allow them to eat small amounts of jelly occasionally. If consumed in large quantities over a long period, it can be detrimental to the child's health.
Why does gelatin form into a gel-like substance? The appearance of gelatin is always crystal clear and elastic. What exactly causes this? Originally, the main component of gelatin is gum acacia, albumen, and other thickening agents, which can thicken the original water and fruit juice into a gel-like state, making us see the gelatin we are familiar with! Among these thickening agents, the most common ingredient is gum acacia. What is it? It is a type of food additive that can serve as a thickener, coagulant, dispersing agent, emulsifying agent, preservative, and stabilizer in chemical additives. It is often used in making gelatin, ice cream, pastries, soft candy, canned goods, and even some meat products, where its use is quite extensive.
The main raw materials of agar are some seaweed, such as natural broccoli, Gracilaria, seaweed, etc., which has the effects of clearing heat and relieving heat, appetizing and strengthening the spleen. Therefore, it is an edible additive. You don't have to worry too much and there are no toxic side effects.
The medical part covered in this article is for reading and reference only.
If discomfort arises, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately. The diagnosis and treatment should be based on the examination conducted in person by a professional physician.