For those with a sweet tooth who are also health-conscious, it may seem like tasty treats can’t be good for you.
However, one healthy living enthusiast begs to differ with her gut-friendly marshmallow recipe. Wellness fan Candice Ray, with an impressive TikTok following of over 75,000, has shared her straightforward method for creating the delightful confection using just four key ingredients.
In her popular video, she explains: “I bet you didn’t know that marshmallows are nothing new – they date back thousands of year. People first enjoyed them for their gut-healing benefits.
“And while it’s a total shame that marshmallows contain none of these gut-healing properties, I’m here to tell you they’re incredibly easy to make at home with only four ingredients.”
Moreover, Candice observes: “Not only are these marshmallows so delicious and such a fun add-on to your hot chocolate or morning coffee, they’re also amazing for your gut health thanks to their ability to support and strengthen the gut lining by forming a protective barrier that soothes the intestinal wall.”
To whip up these treats, Candice starts by mixing half a cup (around 118ml) of warm water with a quarter cup of gelatine (close to 59ml), blending them before setting them aside. She then heats another half cup of warm water in a pan, stirs in one cup of honey (approximately 336ml), adds two teaspoons of vanilla extract, and whisks them together.
She explained the method, saying: “Slowly bring the water and honey mixture to a boil while stirring. If you have a kitchen thermometer, you want it to reach at least 240F (115C). Otherwise, just keep boiling, stirring constantly for eight minutes.
“Turn on your mixer with the water and gelatine mixture to medium speed and whisk while slowly pouring the honey and water mixture into the mixing bowl. Then turn the mixer to high and whisk for another 10-15 minutes or until it forms soft peaks like the consistency of marshmallow cream.
“Then allow the creation to cool in the fridge on a tray for two to three hours, before cutting into squares to enjoy.”
Candice also mentioned the optional step of adding a dusting of powdered sugar or corn starch.
The National Confectioners Association has traced the origins of marshmallows back to Ancient Egypt, stating: “Ancient Egyptians were the first to enjoy a gooey treat now called marshmallow as early as 2000 BC,” and that “The treat was considered very special and it was reserved for gods and royalty.”
Some TikTok users raised questions about Candice’s choice of gelatine instead of marshmallow root, but WebMd provides some insight: “The proteins in gelatine can help support the intestinal wall, including building the protective mucus lining in your intestines. In early studies on rats, gelatine helped protect the lining of the intestines from damage, although further research is needed to fully confirm this effect in humans.
“Gelatin also contains glutamic acid, another amino acid that can help protect the intestinal wall from damage and prevent leaky gut.”