Vitamin C Tangerine Gummies for Radiant Skin

We’re big fans of gelatin around here. I add it to my marshmallow recipe and healthy jello. Tangerine gummies are another delicious and healthy way to enjoy this superfood.

Why Tangerine Gummies?

One of the main reasons to consider taking your vitamins in gummy form is the gelatin they contain. If you’ve been around the Wellness Mama site for long, you already know how great gelatin is. It strengthens hair and nails, makes for fewer wrinkles, and supports healthy joint function for ease of movement.

I also credit it for helping heal my son’s digestion so he could finally enjoy dairy!

Gelatin comes from the connective tissue (collagen) of animals and contains amino acid proteins we need for a healthy body. In fact, 25-35% of the protein in our body is made of collagen! You can read more about the benefits of gelatin here.

Difference Between Gelatin and Collagen

Here’s where things can sometimes get confusing. Collagen (connective tissues) from animals is broken down into gelatin and powdered or turned into sheets. The gelatin can further be broken down into collagen hydrosolate powder.

While both are incredibly healthy, it’s the gelatin that we want to use in these tangerine gummies. Collagen hydrosolate won’t gel. This makes it great for adding to soups, smoothies, and coffee, but not so much when we want a gummy candy.

It’s also worth noting I only use grass-fed gelatin. Pasture raised cows are healthier and have a higher ratio of healthy nutrients compared with factory farmed animals. It’s better for the planet and our bodies.

Finding Tangerines

I actually had to go to a few different stores before I could find tangerines. If you can’t find them then oranges can also work, though the flavor will obviously be different. Clementines and mandarin oranges are popular lately and are a close relation to tangerines, so they’re also a good substitute.

If you can find tangerines though, the unique tangy flavor is well worth it! Tangerines (like most citrus) are high in vitamin C. You’ll also find some beta carotene, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

A Boost of Vitamin C

Most of us think vitamin C when we hear citrus, but camu camu berry actually blows them out of the water on this one. Just one teaspoon of camu camu berry powder offers well over 1,000% of our daily value of vitamin C! Camu camu is also one of the star ingredients in my vitamin C herbal electuaries.

This recipe makes 8 servings of citrus gummies which comes out to a little over 100% DV vitamin C per serving. Unlike other supplements, eating more than a serving size won’t hurt you. Worst case scenario you might get loose stools if you eat an entire double batch yourself.

According to Mayo Clinic the average adult can handle up to 2,000 mg vitamin C before they start having digestive issues. This recipe has less than half that amount in the entire batch. So eat away.

Tangerine Gummies

Between tangy tangerine juice, vitamin C rich camu camu,  and protein-packed gelatin, these gummy snacks are as healthy as they are delicious. Since they store well in the fridge, it’s a great make-ahead snack for little ones to grab. You may want to double the batch though because they don’t last long!

If you want to add some essential oil to boost the flavor but don’t have tangerine on hand, sweet orange will also work. My kids also love these lemon magnesium gummies!

Ever made homemade “gummy bears” Ready to give these a try? Share below!