Garlic Turmeric Bone Broth Gummies
It seems like bone broth is all the rage these days with people in the nutrition-know—and for good reason, we love it too.
Bone broth is a superfood chock full of an array of brain-boosting vitamins and minerals for next to no calories (not that we’re counting, but some people want to know) and while it cooks for some time, the prep time is next to none—making it a really smart functional food to get in the habit of making, because it’s easy!
Maybe you are already a fan of bone broth, but chances are you’re not thinking of it as something you can enjoy when the temperature gets cranked up over Summer. But what if it was made into something that most people love to enjoy year round: candy?! While I grew up eating gummy candies (so self-admittedly struggle with the nostalgia aspect) my disapproval of the brain-draining sugar and artificial flavours and colours in the conventional kinds help me refrain from eating them. A deliciously sweet tasting, pretty gummy candy made out of brain health-promoting bone broth, however, is just what this neuro-nutritionist ordered!
Our gummy bears (you can use any shape mold that you like, I am on the search for little brain ones) are made by combining our brain-friendly homemade Garlic Turmeric Bone Broth with grass fed gelatin (or collagen). Gelatin is a wonderful gut healer so, given our gut is becoming known as our second brain, these gummies are a real treat for your brain that you and your family can enjoy all year round.
- 5 cups Garlic Turmeric Bone Broth
- 2 1/2 Tbsp grass-fed gelatin
- Measure 6 tablespoons of cold bone broth into a small bowl, and sprinkle gelatin on top. Stir together and allow this mixture to bloom for about 5 min.
- Put remaining bone broth into a medium saucepan over medium high heat, bring to boil, reduce to a low simmer and then remove from heat.
- Incorporate bloomed gelatin into the warmed bone broth with a whisk. Stir until fully dissolved.
- Pour mixture into a 9X12 rectangle dish, or whatever mold you would like to use, and place in the refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours.
- Cut into whatever shape you desire, or unmold, and enjoy! We used a gummy bear mold to mimic traditional gummy bears.
- Any leftovers you have can be stored in the refrigerator for about 5 days.
Apple Cider Vinegar:
- Just might be what you need to keep your energy up throughout the day and beat that mid-afternoon or early evening crash, because it's shown to balance post-prandial blood glucose (the spike in blood sugar after eating).
- A great mood booster and natural antidepressant because it increases tryptophan which builds our mood regulating neurotransmitter serotonin.
Turmeric:
- Its active compound (the part that makes it work), curcumin, helps decrease inflammation and free radicals in the brain to improve memory and has potential to be a treatment for Alzheimer’s.
- It’s a natural antidepressant since it increases a protein called Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) which grows new neurons (brain cells) and allows them to talk to one another.
Peppercorns:
- One of its main ingredients, piperine, is getting superstar status because of its ability to increase serotonin in the brain areas responsible for learning, memory and problem solving.
- Dopamine is involved in motivation for rewards but it also facilitates movement, depending on it’s location in the brain. Piperine seems to prevent the loss of dopamine neurons, showing promise in the fight against Parkinson’s Disease.
- References
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- Keszthelyi, D., Troost, F., & Masclee, A. (2009). Understanding the role of tryptophan and serotonin metabolism in gastrointestinal function. Neurogastroenterology Motility, 12, 1239-1249.
- Liu, D., Wang, Z., Gao, Z., Xie, K., Zhang, Q., Jiang, H., Pang, Q. (2014). Effects of curcumin on learning and memory deficits, BDNF, and ERK protein expression in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable stress. Behavioural Brain Research, 271, 116 - 121.
- Mao, Q., Xian, Y., Ip, S., & Che, C. (2011). Involvement of serotonergic system in the antidepressant-like effect of piperine. Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 35(4), 1144-1147.
- Mishra, S., & Palanivelu, K. (2008). The effect of curcumin (turmeric) on Alzheimer's disease: An overview. Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, 11(1), 13-19.
- Yang, W., Chen, Y.H., Liu, H., Qu, H,D. (2015). Neuroprotective effects of piperine on the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced Parkinson's disease mouse model. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 36(5), 1369 - 1376.
- Wattanathorn, J., Chonpathompikunlert, P., Muchimapura, S., Priprem, A., & Tankamnerdthai, O. (2008). Piperine, the potential functional food for mood and cognitive disorders. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 46(9), 3106-3110.
