India, May 18 -- At the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, actor Alia Bhatt shared a simple homemade snack she says supports both her skin and gut health (1).
During an interview, the actor explained that food in her home is commonly prepared using ghee and revealed that one of her favourite wellness snacks combines:
Ghee
Jaggery
Crushed peanuts
Grated coconut
The recipe quickly went viral online, with many social media users praising the snack for being simple, traditional, and affordable compared to expensive skincare trends.
Method
Mix all ingredients in a bowl, shape into small bite-sized balls, and consume fresh.
Why Experts Say the Snack May Support Skin And Gut Health
Nutrition experts say the snack combines healthy fats, fibre, minerals, and plant nutrients that may support digestion and overall wellness when eaten in moderation (2).
Rather than acting like a "miracle beauty food," experts explain that the snack may work indirectly by supporting gut health, nutrient absorption, energy balance, and satiety.
How Ghee May Help Digestion and Skin Health
Ghee has been used in traditional Indian cooking and Ayurvedic practices for generations. Experts say healthy fats in ghee may help support digestion and improve absorption of fat-soluble nutrients.
Ghee may also help:
Improve satiety
Support skin barrier function
Aid digestion
Researchers are also increasingly studying the "gut-skin axis," which refers to the connection between digestive health and skin health.
When gut health is disturbed, it may sometimes affect:
Inflammation
Acne flare-ups
Skin sensitivity
Dryness
Dietitian experts quoted in reports noted that small amounts of ghee may improve digestibility and support overall gut function.
Why Jaggery Is Considered Better Than Refined Sugar
Jaggery is an unrefined sweetener traditionally used in many Indian households. Unlike refined sugar, jaggery retains small amounts of minerals that are naturally present in sugarcane.
These may include:
Iron
Calcium
Potassium
Phosphorus
Zinc
Some experts say jaggery may also help stimulate digestive enzymes after meals.
However, doctors caution that jaggery is still a form of sugar and should be consumed in moderation, especially by people with diabetes or insulin resistance.
What Each Ingredient Adds to the Snack
Ingredient Possible Benefits
Ghee Healthy fats, fat-soluble nutrient absorption
Jaggery Minerals and digestive support
Peanuts Protein and healthy fats
Coconut Fibre and micronutrients
Together, the ingredients create a nutrient-dense snack that may support energy and satiety.
Why The Internet Is Connecting with This Recipe
Many people online said the recipe feels:
Practical
Nostalgic
Culturally familiar
Easy to prepare at home
The snack has also sparked conversations around traditional Indian eating habits and the growing interest in "food-first wellness" instead of relying only on supplements or expensive beauty products.
Experts say healthy skin is influenced by multiple factors including:
Nutrition
Sleep
Hydration
Stress Levels
Digestion
Genetics
which is why no single food alone can completely transform skin health.
Can Food Really Affect Skin Health?
Dermatologists and nutrition researchers increasingly acknowledge the connection between diet and skin health. Certain dietary patterns may influence inflammation, hydration, collagen support, and gut bacteria balance.
Foods rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, fibre, and micronutrients may indirectly support healthier skin over time when combined with an overall balanced lifestyle (3).
What Experts Want People to Remember
While Alia Bhatt's viral snack may offer nutritional benefits, experts caution against treating any single recipe as a guaranteed skincare solution. Ingredients such as jaggery, peanuts, and ghee are calorie-dense and may not suit everyone in large amounts.
Nutritionists say the bigger takeaway is the growing return to minimally processed foods, balanced eating habits, and traditional homemade snacks instead of heavily processed convenience foods.
Experts emphasize that long-term skin health depends more on overall lifestyle, digestion, hydration, sleep, and nutrition patterns than on any one "beauty food."