Make These Activated Charcoal Gummies for Detox + Gut Health

A couple of weeks ago my husband and I came down with a rip roaring case of the stomach flu. If you’ve somehow managed to avoid this year’s strain, consider me jealous (so, so jealous). It was almost seven days of headaches, chills and nausea I thought would never end, followed by a cough that could set off a car alarm. It wasn’t pretty.

But even when you’re glued to the sofa with a trash can in your lap and nothing is staying down, there is one stomach flu remedy that actually works: charcoal. These activated charcoal gummies are perfect for sick kids and adults alike. Not only do they help soothe upset stomachs but they can also help speed up recovery from cold and flu bugs. And best of all, they’re super fun to make and eat.

Activated Charcoal Gummy Bears

Activated charcoal is a porous substance that pulls toxins into itself and flushes them from the body. It’s typically used in hospitals or as a first aid remedy when someone has ingested poison. But it also helps absorb the toxins and bacteria responsible for indigestion, stomach bugs, food poisoning and the flu. By binding to and removing the bad bugs from your system, activated charcoal can drastically reduce the amount of downtime caused by the flu or an upset stomach.

These charcoal gummies are made with only 3 ingredients–juice, charcoal and gelatin–so you can whip them up in no time (a plus when you or your kiddos are feeling under the weather). And since they don’t contain any added sugar, you don’t have to worry about them feeding the illness. I used orange juice in mine because it’s easy to get your hands on and the added vitamin C helps boost the immune system. As for the gelatin, choose a whole food brand (I love Great Lakes gelatin) so you get the added vitamins and minerals.

And lest you think gummies were just for kids, here’s a little known fact: gelatin comes from collagen, which has long been used as a dietary supplement. Not only is it high in protein and amino acids, but it’s easily broken down by the body so you get maximum nutritional benefit. Collagen is great for gut health, and gut health has a huge impact on our immunity–another reason why these gummies are perfect for when you’re feeling under the weather.

And if even if you’re not sick, you’ll love these gummies for their collagen-boosting benefits. As we age, our skin loses its tautness, our joints start to ache, our hair and nails become brittle and our bones become weak. All of these things can be helped by adding collagen, in the form of gelatin, back into our diets.

Whether you’re recovering from a stomach bug or simply want to improve your diet, here’s how to make your own charcoal gummy bears.

 

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