*This post is in partnership with Elias Honey
For the coldest months of the year, why not add a little sunshine to your routine with this DIY immune-boosting and gut-supporting gummies recipe! These gummies come together fast and are an easy way to start the day on a healthy note. This recipe is gluten, dairy and refined-sugar-free and is the perfect on-the-go snack as we head into back-to-school season. Not only are these little gummies super convenient, but they are also great while sick or for supporting the immune system during the cold and flu season – something we could all use a little more support with these days!
It’s no fun being sick. We’ve all experienced the unpleasant symptoms that can accompany a cold or flu and it can be difficult to carry out our basic day-to-day functions. By building a strong immune system, we put ourselves in the best position to stay well during flu season and lessen the frequency and duration of illness when it does set in.
These gummies are a great way to get kids to have a healthy snack that supports both the immune system and gut health. Even big kids will love these gummies! The truth is, many of the gummies marketed to kids do not contain ideal ingredients. They are typically loaded with refined sugar and artificial colours. These Immune & Gut-Supporting Gummies, however, have clean ingredients and gut-healing benefits too! My toddler can’t keep his hands out of the gummy jar, but I don’t mind since they are low-sugar and are naturally sweetened with Elias honey.
It’s often said that the gut is the seat of our health. This statement couldn’t be more true – an unhealthy gut equals an unhealthy body. This is why these gummies are perfect to support both the immune system and the gut.
WHY I MAKE THESE GUMMIES:
About 10 years ago, I was constantly sick. After getting cold after cold and many infections regularly, I became fed-up and knew I had to make changes to my diet to improve my immune system and gut health. I didn’t want to continue relying on antibiotics and other medications every cold & flu season.
I began researching into whole foods and discovered they had incredible benefits to the body. This was perfect as I was wanting a more natural approach to healing and supporting my body.
I learned that combining ginger, lemon, cinnamon and honey can make one of the best and effective immune-boosting recipes. These ingredients have anti-fungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties and work synergistically, meaning they work even better when combined. Honey has the property to pull out and concentrate the medicinal properties of the other ingredients. The lemon also helps with the absorption of key nutrients and antioxidants.
Today, I no longer rely on antibiotics or cold medications to carry me through the cold & flu season. I now turn to whole foods to support my family and me.
ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS:
Honey is one of the oldest natural sweeteners on earth. Along with being delicious, honey offers incredible benefits to the immune system and gut health.
Honey possesses powerful antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Because of these benefits, it has been used for years in ancient medicine.
A study has shown that honey is better than no treatment in reducing the frequency of cough and could be more effective than diphenhydramine, an antihistamine. (1) (2) Honey is also a great source of protective antioxidants that can help with respiratory conditions. (3)
Honey can be used to improve the intestinal microflora (bacteria) as it contains antimicrobial properties. Research has shown that substituting refined sugars with honey can inhibit the harmful and genotoxic effects of mycotoxins, and improve the gut microflora. (4) Honey also contains 4 to 5% fructooligosaccharides which serve as prebiotic agents. Prebiotics are nondigestible fibres that provide benefits to the probiotics (beneficial bacteria) by stimulating the growth and/or activity of the bacteria in the colon. (5) Honey has been used to provide effective relief to clear-up infections and promote healing. It is effective in treating bacteria gastroenteritis in infants (12+ months). (6)
If you are needing an energy boost this season, honey is loaded with micronutrients and antioxidants to help provide the body with energy and to fight inflammation.
In this Immune & Gut-Supporting Gummy recipe, I used Elias Raw Honey for the benefits of the immune system and gut-health.
Elias Raw Honey is the real deal! It is unfiltered to retain all of its natural, subtle aromatics and health benefits. This honey is thick, rich, sweet and buttery with hints of caramel and a pleasant beeswax aroma. The raw honey is creamed which means it won’t crystallize. Using raw honey means that the nutritional value and health benefits have been preserved. Honey is by far my favourite natural sweetener to use.
Gelatin: Grass-fed Gelatin is known to be a wonderfully healing food for an inflamed, damaged gut given its ability to soothe and restore the gut lining. This is why bone broth is such a staple in our kitchen!
Gelatin is the cooked version of collagen, the most common protein found in animal tissue. Collagen makes up 25%-30% of the total protein in our bodies, but it is mostly found in cartilage, bones, and skin, and is only present in small amounts in muscle. Gelatin can also help with digestion and gut health. Gelatin also reduces inflammation in the digestive tract and supports normalized levels of gastric acids to help with proper digestion of other proteins.
Lemon: Lemons are a great source of vitamin C, a nutrient that is linked with supporting the immune system. They also contain antioxidants to help fight inflammation. Receiving adequate amounts of vitamin C has been shown to reduce the duration of respiratory tract infections. (7) (8)
Ginger: Ginger has incredible benefits from helping with nausea, heartburn, vomiting, yeast infections, and reducing inflammation related to ulcer development. (9) (10) (11) (12) (13)
Cinnamon: There are many benefits of cinnamon when it comes to defending the body from illness. Cinnamon contains natural antimicrobial, antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral properties which help to support the immune system. (14) (15) The antimicrobial benefits support those with bacterial overgrowth in their digestive system such as E. coli.
WHY I LOVE ELIAS HONEY
Elias Honey is a Canadian honey company that produces a delicious assortment of quality honey. The family-run company has been around for 40 years and pays high attention to bringing premium honey products to the market.
Elias Honey has the best and widest selection of honey which includes classic liquid, creamed honey, honey cider vinegar, six gourmet honey varieties, and three new raw cold-pressed honeys. These cold-pressed kinds of honey are unique as no other honey company carries them! The flavours range from refreshingly sweet to deliciously malty.
This August, Elias Honey expanded its brand into Ontario and Quebec! Trust me when I say, you will love them once you try them! Are you wanting to try them out for yourself? You can purchase them here.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE:
This recipe takes no time at all to prepare and get into the fridge, and takes absolutely no cooking skills whatsoever! If you make this recipe, be sure to tag @eliashoney_ & @reclaimedhealthjayde on Instagram so we can see your delicious creation!
Immune & Gut-Supporting Gummies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup lemon juice
- 3 Tbs. Elias raw honey
- 1/2 cup grass-fed gelatin
- 1 cup hot water
- 1/2 cup room temperature water
- 1 Tbs. cinnamon
- 3 inches ginger
Instructions
- In a small saucepan on high heat, boil 1 cup of water.
- Turn off the heat once it has boiled. Remove from the heated element to allow it to cool down.
- Add in the gelatin and whisk well.
- Next, add the lemon, ginger, cinnamon and 1/2 cup of water to a high-speed blender. Blend on high until the mixture is smooth.
- Slowly add the mixture to the water and gelatin.
- Once the mixture has cooled, add in the raw honey and mix until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into moulds and place it in the fridge for approximately two hours. Enjoy!
Learn more about Elias Honey by clicking here.
*This post contains affiliate links.
