Go ahead. Eat the whole batch.
When I was a kid, I loved gummy snacks. Gushers, Fruit Roll-Ups, and the regular ol’ fruit gummies. Sometimes I loved them so much I would eat the whole box. They are fruity, chewy and oh, so fun to eat.
Unfortunately, most gummy snacks sold in stores are loaded with artificial colors, preservatives and high fructose corn syrup. These days, those aren’t things I like to put in my body. I still love gummy snacks though, so now I make them myself with healthy, natural ingredients.
Healthy gummy snacks are all over Pinterest right now and a friend recently asked me if they would be a good treat for her daughter, who has Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. In thinking about her sweet little girl, it hit me that these gummy snacks could be made even more special for her! By adding in natural anti-inflammatory foods, this gummy snack morphs into Anti-Inflammies–a delicious gummy treat that also reduces inflammation!
You don’t have to have arthritis to enjoy these, though. Anyone who’s felt stressed, eaten processed food, worked out hard or has a muscle ache can benefit from the anti-inflammatory effects!
Here’s how it works:
Orange or Lemon Juice
“Increased intakes of compounds called flavonoids from citrus may be associated with lower levels of markers of inflammation, according to a new study from researchers at Harvard, Sweden and Singapore.” (source)
Turmeric
Turmeric is naturally high in a COX-2 inhibitor called curcumin. This is an anti-inflammatory that offers great relief for arthritis pain.
COX-2 (or Cyclooxygenase 2) is an enzyme that is involved with causing pain and inflammation in areas of the body where damage or arthritis exists. A COX-2 inhibitor impedes the enzyme and alleviates inflammation and arthritis pain. (source)
Ginger
Ginger contains more than four COX-2 inhibitors. Ginger is also known to suppress other pro-inflammatory compounds.
Gelatin
Gelatin contains a generous amount of the amino acid glycine. “Fibrosis, free radical damage, inflammation, cell death from ATP depletion or calcium overload, mitochondrial damage, diabetes, etc., can be prevented or alleviated by glycine.” (source)
These gummy snacks are full of healthy protein from the gelatin and amazing anti-inflammatories from the citurs, ginger, and turmeric. So, go ahead, pop a few of these yummy gummies in your mouth and enjoy their anti-inflammatory goodness. Or go ahead. Eat the whole batch.
Anti-Inflammies: A Healthy Gummy Snack
Ingredients
3/4 cup citrus juice, freshly squeezed*
3/4 cup all natural fruit juice, preferably freshly squeezed**
4 Tbsp. good quality gelatin
3 Tbsp. raw honey
1/4 tsp. ginger (freshly grated with a microplane or ground)
1/4 tsp. turmeric (freshly grated with a microplane or ground)
Notes:
* For a sour gummy use lemon or lime juice, for a sweeter, milder gummy use orange juice
** I used cherry juice because I had it on hand. You can juice your own fruit or use freshly squeezed juice from an orange. Just do not use pineapple juice. The enzymes will break down the gelatin.
Directions
In a small saucepan, whisk together citrus juice, fruit juice and gelatin until there are no lumps. Heat the liquid over low heat until liquid is warmed and gelatin is completely dissolved.
Remove from heat and stir in honey, ginger and turmeric with a spoon.
Pour liquid into a shape-molded ice/silicone tray (find it here) or pour it into a casserole dish*.
Refrigerate until liquid is set (at least 30 minutes).
Serve cold or at room temperature.
Notes:
*If you pour it into a casserole dish, pour a thin single layer. Once the liquid is set, cut the gummy snacks into bite-sized squares
**Per Mommypotamus, gummy snacks will last two weeks in the fridge.
Enjoy!
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