You may know turmeric is a spice, and that it’s yellow, but beyond that, is turmeric still a bit of a mystery? When adding a nutritional boost to your diet, food often comes to mind, but sometimes that boost can be as simple as adding a spice, like turmeric. So, literally, spice up your diet. Turmeric shows great promise when it comes to health benefits. At the top of the list are its antioxidant properties.
The excellence of antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that can help your body fight off the harmful effect of free radicals that are constantly formed in your body. Without antioxidants, free radicals would cause serious harm very quickly. When free radicals become too high or outnumber antioxidants, it can lead to a state called oxidative stress. Prolonged oxidative stress in your body can damage your DNA and other important molecules, leading to negative health outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer.
Boost your antioxidant intake. Your body needs to maintain a certain balance of free radicals and antioxidants because free radicals also serve important functions that are essential for health. For example, your immune system uses free radicals to fight infections. Depending on your health history, your lifestyle, diet, and your environment, boosting antioxidants is always a good choice—but how?
If nutrient-dense foods including fruits and vegetables come to mind when you think of antioxidants, you’re not wrong. Diets rich in plant-based foods are known to prevent medical conditions such as cancer and heart disease. Along with plant-based whole foods, turmeric can be added to your antioxidant list.
Turmeric is part of the ginger family and comes from the root of the perennial Curcuma longa plant, native to India. Curcumin gives turmeric a bright yellow color and is turmeric’s most active ingredient. Like other colorful plant-based foods, turmeric is rich in phytonutrients that may protect your body by neutralizing free radicals and shielding your cells from damage.
That’s not all. In addition to giving you a boost of antioxidants, turmeric also has potent anti-inflammatory properties. For inflammatory conditions like arthritis or other joint disorders, ulcerative colitis, allergies and infections, or any condition where inflammation starts to affect tissues in your body, adding turmeric could be beneficial. Turmeric has also been shown to improve memory, fight depression, and support healthy skin.
Treat yourself to turmeric. The earthy flavor of turmeric can be enjoyed on its own. But to add deep flavor and color to food and beverages, turmeric is often combined in Thai or Asian dishes, stews, chilis, and soups. Try it in smoothies, eggs, quinoa, and roasted veggies. The possibilities are endless! If you’re considering buying turmeric in its whole root form, it can be found in the produce section of the grocery store. Simply put turmeric root pieces in freezer bags and freeze them for up to six months.
Turmeric TIP: Combining turmeric with black pepper may help increase your body’s ability to absorb turmeric’s beneficial compounds. A substance in black pepper called piperine, when combined with curcumin, has been shown to increase bioavailability by 2000%.
Turmeric Tea. Turmeric root can be made into a nourishing and tasty tea. Bring 1-2 cups of water to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons of chopped turmeric root or 2 teaspoons of turmeric powder. Simmer for 5 minutes and then strain. You can drink turmeric tea warm or cold and add lemon or honey.
Golden Milk. Combine 1 to 2 teaspoons of turmeric with 1 cup of warm milk, black pepper, cinnamon, and honey or maple syrup over low heat for about 10 minutes.
Keep fighting off those free radicals by filling your plate with a rainbow of fruits and vegetables. And now boost those basics with a touch of turmeric—unravel the mystery. It’s an ideal “spice for life.”
Heidi Kutz
Education Specialist, ViaroThrive
For questions or comments, contact wellness@viarohealth.com