Gummy candies for grown-ups

Misha relaxes with Foxy, his buddy

 "I have found no convincing evidence that...caffeine contributes to IBS symptoms. I believe that any IBS symptoms...are actually caused by additives---for example, sucrose (table sugar) in coffee and tea." Norman Robillard, author Fast Tract Digestion: a Science-based Diet to Treat and Prevent IBS and SIB0 

Robillard recommends limiting your caffeinated beverage consumption to two per day until your symptoms are under control. Two cups per day also are allowed on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, outlined by Elaine Gottschall, author of Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health through Diet,

I love coffee and green tea. Sadly, I've avoided the two beverages for years because numerous "authorities" said to stay away from caffeine when on an anti-fungal diet or fighting bacterial overgrowth or gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

If you search the internet, you will find numerous websites whose authors proclaim  as experts that you need to stay away from caffeine of all kinds if you are on a anti-candida diet. Others say caffeine consumption can be harmful to those with gastrointestinal disorders. I read or heard this information so many times that I began to believe it was the gospel truth. In fact, I repeated this information over and over again myself. BUT I have yet to see a scientific study backing up these claims. It seems to be based more on observational studies.

Coffee is a highly misunderstood food. It's connection to stomach issues is even more misundertood. But after many years of following so-called experts, I have learned  to take nutritional advice with a grain of salt. It all boils down to caffeine "might possibly but not necessarily" affect fungal overgrowth and gastro problems. Not hard science, you might say.

Here's what we do know. Fungi and bacteria feed on sugar as in carbohydrates. Caffeine, by itself, is not a sugar. Current research cannot support that mild caffeine consumption will exacerbate a fungal or bacterial overgrowth.(If you know of research, please let me know.) We also know that coffee/caffeine can be a gastric irritant in sensitive individuals.

Mocha gummies

Green tea or coffee gummies

Coffee and green tea contain many beneficial nutrients, antioxidants and ingredients. (My new nutritional advice: investigate these claims yourself before accepting what I or others say.)

• A single serving of coffee contains 11 percent RDA of riboflavin (Vitamin B2); six percent RDA of pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5); three percent RDA manganese and potassium; two percent RDA magnesium and niacin.
• Coffee and green tea drinkers have a lower risk of developing Type II diabetes.
• Coffee and green tea drinkers have a decreased risk of getting Alzheimer's Disease or dementia.
• Coffee and green tea lower your risk of certain types of cancers.
• Coffee and green tea are loaded with antioxidants. In fact for some, coffee is their biggest source of antioxidants.
• Coffee and green tea drinkers may live longer.
• Both improve brain function and energy. 

Recently, I started drinking both coffee and green tea after a many years of abstaining. I started off slowly on both. I have not experienced any negative effects. I do limit consumption to two cups (combined) per day. 

One of my favorite fun recipes to make with leftover coffee or green tea is Green tea or Coffee Gummies.

Here's what you need:

1 cup green tea or coffee
Optional: 1/4 cup coconut milk or other milk beverage
3-4 T. grassfed gelatin
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1-2 droppers full liquid stevia (no alcohol)

Here's what you do:

Add green tea or coffee and optional milk beverage to a pan on the stove. Warm the mixture. Add the gelatin. Whisk a little at a time until the gelatin is dissolved. Add the vanilla and stevia. Pour the mixture into molds. Regrigerate until set.

Recipe contributed to:

http://wholenewmom.com/traditional-tuesday/stove-top-chocolate-doughnuts-peppermint-nutty-roons-dark-chocolate-berry-truffles-nutella-cream-pie-vegan-fudge/