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You may have seen healthy gummies on your Tik Tok or Instagram feed. These homemade gummies are SUPER easy, full of protein, low in sugar, and contain beneficial amino acids, antioxidants, and helpful nutrients that can help you get ready for snooze land.
Gummies that are Good and Good For You
There are not a lot of times that gummy bears can be labeled as “good for you”, but these homemade gummies are truly wholesome thanks to our two-ingredient superstars. Gelatin and Tart Cherry Juice.
These two make the recipe so simple and nourishing.
What is gelatin?
Most of us have heard of Collagen, and collagen supplements. Well, gelatin is like the butterfly that came from the caterpillar.
Collagen and gelatin are both proteins derived from animal sources. Collagen is the primary structural protein in the body, providing strength and support to tissues such as bones, skin, muscles, and tendons. Gelatin is a processed form of collagen that is obtained by partially hydrolyzing collagen, which breaks down its long, fibrous strands into shorter, more flexible chains.
Nutritionally, both collagen and gelatin are pretty much the same, both are rich in amino acids, particularly glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, which are important for the maintenance of healthy skin, joints, and bones.
Gelatin is also naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.
The Gelatin Brand DOES Matter
You’ve heard about the classic jell-O packages that contain gelatin from ground-up bone, connective tissue, and skin from pigs – or I’ve even heard horses when I was a kid- ew right? Many gelatin brands use But the gelatine we are using today is from grass-fed and pasture-raised bovine – meaning cow – usually made from cowhides but there could be other parts present. But don’t worry it is tasteless!
Collagen and gelatin powders are notorious for picking up unwanted heavy metals, like arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, and other contaminants, like glyphosate. Some brands are worse than others, even the organic ones.
I love the Great Lakes Gelatin. I trust this brand and love that it is free from harmful additives and is upfront about its heavy metal testing. I’m happy to say they are below safe limits for harmful heavy metals and this is one you can feel confident about. You can find it on Amazon as well!
5 Homemade Gummy Benefits For Your Health
1 Improved Gut Health
Glycine is a potent regulator of inflammation in the stomach, small intestine, and gastrointestinal tract, owing to its anti-inflammatory properties. It is capable of modulating the gut microbiota, defending against pathogens, and shielding the gut from freezing. Additionally, glycine helps to strengthen and fortify the lining of the gut.
2. Improved Sleep
The presence of glycine in collagen and gelatin promotes an increase in serotonin levels without elevating dopamine levels. This can aid in the regulation of healthy circadian rhythms, which can lead to improved sleep quality.
Tart cherries naturally contain a little melatonin. Studies show drinking 8-16 ounces of pure tart cherry juice per day can benefit sleep. It is hard to say what exactly was causing the sleep improvement and if it was actually the melatonin or if it was a placebo, the antioxidants from the juice, or lower inflammation levels.
If you find you wake up in the middle of the night or get hungry in the middle of the night. Eating a small snack that includes protein can help sustain your blood sugar levels to prevent a “drop” in the middle of the night, which can lead to wake-ups and trouble falling back asleep. If you’re a late-night snacker, a handful of these gummies could hit the spot and they contain protein to help keep you sleeping soundly.
3. Improved Joint Health
Gelatin is rich in amino acids such as glycine and proline, which are essential for the maintenance of healthy joints. Regular consumption of gelatin may help to reduce joint pain and inflammation, improve joint mobility, and promote the growth and repair of cartilage, especially when taken with vitamin C.
4. Weight Loss
Gelatin is a low-calorie, high-protein food that can help to promote feelings of fullness and reduce appetite. This can be beneficial for weight loss and weight management. Because it is high in protein It can help stabilize blood sugar levels as well and has been known to reduce HbA1C levels.
5. Lower Inflammation
Years ago, we more commonly ate the skin, tendons, and organs of animals. This provided us with a more balanced amino acid profile than most of us get now from muscle meat. This increase in certain muscle meat amino acids, for example, methionine, could cause inflammation in high amounts. When you consume various types of amino acids like gelatin provides, you get more of the amino acids that are lower in muscle meats balancing out their effects.
Homemade Gut-Loving Sleepy Gummies Recipe
Steps:
- Get your small to medium size pot, measuring cup, and gummy container ready
- Add 1/2 cup pure tart cherry juice to your pot (off heat)
- Add 1/4 of gelatin to the pot
- Let it sit (bloom) for around 5 minutes (it will get hard and spongy)
- Add another 1/2 cup of pure tart cherry juice to the pot
- Turn on low-med heat and add the pot to the burner
- Continuously stir and break apart the gelatin mixture until it is all dissolved and liquid
- Add in whatever additives you would like, I used a tbsp of honey (stevia or cane sugar are popular)
- Add to container and pipette into gummy mold OR pour into a glass or line baking dish
- Put them into the fridge for at least a couple of hours then they’re ready to enjoy!
Ingredients:
1. 1/4 cup gelatin
2. 1 cup tart cherry juice
3. 1 tbsp honey
Other Materials:
- Gummy Mold
- Small-Medium Pot
- Measuring cups
I ordered my bear gummy mold from The Modern Gummy off Amazon. It came with a silicon measuring cup and a pipette for the precise filling of my gummy mixture. They came out so cute! They even make worm and heart-shaped molds!
Conclusion
These gummies are super simple and fun to make and eat! They come with a host of benefits and are delicious! I’ve made them multiple times and they always take me less than 10 minutes.
Try them for yourself and see if you notice an improvement in your sleep!
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