Of the many sweets that are famous today, pastila is traditionally Russian. Not only can the components of its composition not be called anything other than Slavic, but the first mention of this delicacy dates back to Kievan Rus already in the fourteenth century.

At that time, Russian chefs did not yet know the various delights of European or Arabic cuisine. Zephyr, for example, at that time was several thousand years old, but it existed only in Europe. And, by the way, the composition of marshmallow was somewhat similar to marshmallow already in modern times – in the 19th – 20th centuries.

What is in the paste
Initially, the technology for making marshmallows included honey and whipped puree from apples and berries. An indispensable requirement for apples and berries was their increased acidity. Therefore, they used for the composition mainly such varieties of apples as Antonovka and Zelenka, and from berries – currants and cranberries. Today, when the preparation of marshmallow is practiced not only from apples, but also from other, sweeter fruits, citric acid is added to the marshmallow to ensure the desired acidity.

The original recipe for marshmallows contained neither sugar nor eggs. A mixture of apple and berry puree with honey was placed in special tubs in the oven and there this composition languished, getting rid of moisture and becoming dry and a little crumbly. Of course, there were different varieties of marshmallow, differing from each other in composition, color and taste. Already at the beginning of the 19th century, sugar began to be added to the marshmallow, saving more expensive honey. And sometimes – at the request of the cook – eggs were used for its preparation. Their protein was needed to give the dessert a white color.

And looking only at the oldest and classic components of the marshmallow composition, we can conclude that it has a multifaceted effect on the body.

Useful properties of marshmallow
And honey, and berry puree, and even sugar are excellent tonic substances. All these components contain simple sugars, which are very quickly converted into energy in the body and support motor activity and mental activity. And these same sugars cause the body to produce large amounts of serotonin – a hormone that improves mood and gives joy.

The composition of honey, as well as berries and apples, contains a complex of B vitamins necessary for the normal flow of many energy, metabolic and synthetic processes in the body. Thanks to The same sugars are absorbed and converted into energy faster by these vitamins, the interaction between different organs and organ systems is much more coordinated.

And even despite the fact that some of these vitamins break down during the preparation of marshmallow, the delicacy still brings a lot of useful substances to our body.

Another important component of the composition is the fiber contained in the fruit and berry component. The benefits of fiber, and hence the benefits of marshmallows, are that it helps to increase intestinal motility, improve digestion and cleanse the inner surface of the intestines. Fiber also slows down the absorption of cholesterol into the blood, thereby protecting blood vessels and the heart from the risk of atherosclerosis.

That is why the most important useful properties of marshmallow are lost when it is prepared from sugar syrup and aromatic and flavoring additives. There are no vitamins or fiber in the composition of such a surrogate, and all the sweetness turns into a banal warehouse of carbohydrates, leading to diabetes and obesity.

Minerals in the paste
In addition to fiber and vitamins with honey and apples, a lot of mineral components get into the chemical composition of marshmallow. They do not break down under the influence of temperature and are completely absorbed during the digestion of the product. There are many of these minerals. Calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, zinc – all of them perform many useful functions in the body, and accordingly enhance the beneficial properties of marshmallow.

So, potassium maintains the rhythm of the heart and strengthens the walls of blood vessels, helping the body regulate blood pressure. Iron is simply necessary for the formation of red blood cells and the fight against anemia. Calcium and phosphorus support joints. And zinc is the main assistant of a man with his most important male task. It is zinc that increases the production of male hormones, stimulates the production of semen and has a beneficial effect on the prostate gland.

These are the beneficial properties of marshmallow, despite the fact that it is a sweet product. If the recipe for marshmallows includes egg whites, then it also gives the body all the essential amino acids and the ability to quickly restore damaged tissues and increase muscle size.

But, like any confectionery, marshmallows also have flaws.

Harm of marshmallow
Whatever one may say, but marshmallow is a sweet product. Even honey, it can greatly undermine the well-being of a diabetic patient, does not contribute to weight loss and will only negatively affect the condition of the teeth. Pastila made from really sour apples will bring a lot of organic acids into the body, which will exacerbate problems for those who suffer from stomach or intestinal ulcers.

But the composition of modern mass-produced marshmallows is especially not useful, the recipe for which includes mainly sugar syrup, thickeners and food additives. Harm of marshmallow подобного вида перекроет все ее полезные свойства.

Therefore, when choosing a dessert for yourself, it is worth remembering: it is better to have fun and improve your health once a week than to poison yourself a little every day for the same money. And if you really buy marshmallow – then real, albeit not cheap. Only in this case it will be guaranteed to avoid various negative consequences for the body and truly enjoy the delicious taste of the Russian delicacy.