what is the nutritional benefit of gelatin in sweets and food?

Question: what is the nutritional benefit of gelatin in sweets and food?
- Keywords:
  gelatin,
  nutrition,
  sweet
Asked by thegingerninja to Duncan, Grant, Julie, Nik, Rachel on 13 Mar 2013.
- Grant Campbell answered on 13 Mar 2013:
  
  Gelatin is a protein, so its nutritional benefit is to provide material for building structure (like muscles).
- Rachel Edwards-Stuart answered on 18 Mar 2013:
  
  I think the reason that they add gelatine to foods is not for nutritional benefit but because it provides a unique texture like you get in marshmallows. If there was a way to get as good a texture using a vegetarian ingredient I’m sure they would!

Question: what is the nutritional benefit of gelatin in sweets and food?