Would you like to hear a secret about one of the most powerful herbs? How often do you add turmeric to your soup or smoothies? Yes, you heard right. It’s turmeric!
Turmeric, native to South Asia, is one of the fastest-growing dietary supplements. It is a spice that comes from the turmeric plant, and it contains the chemical curcumin, which makes it a super beneficial herb. Curcumin has been the subject of much interest and research over the last few decades due to its medicinal properties. Many high-quality studies show that it has major benefits for your body and brain. Let’s look at the health effects of curcumin.
What Does curcumin Do For You?
Curcumin has many scientifically-proven health benefits, such as the potential to prevent heart disease, Alzheimer's and cancer. It's a potent anti-inflammatory which means it helps your body fight foreign invaders and has a role in repairing the damage. It also has powerful antioxidant effects. The main reason antioxidants are so beneficial is that they protect your body from free radicals. So curcumin neutralizes free radicals on its own but also stimulates your body's own antioxidant enzymes.
Does Turmeric Help You to Lose Weight?
Besides the above mentioned positive attributes that turmeric has on the human body, it also has a positive influence on weight loss. It reduces the inflammation associated with obesity. Thus, it can give your weight loss plan a boost. Another benefit that it has on your weight loss journey is its natural cleansing ability. When it is taken daily, it aids in flushing out toxins that have built up in the liver. Since the liver plays an important role in metabolizing fats, it can help increase the chances of weight loss when it is able to function at its best.
What Foods Go Well With Turmeric?
How do we get all the benefits of curcumin? Read on to discover 5 healthy tips on how to incorporate it into your diet.
1. Great For Digestion
With the help of vitamins and minerals, turmeric acts as a natural aid to digestion. Add a pinch of turmeric to your next smoothie to find some relief from gut inflammation.
2. Increase The Antioxidant Capacity of Your Body
Sprinkle a teaspoon of turmeric, along with a little coconut oil, onto your vegetables, to kill any infections or viruses that may be hanging on in your body. Any vegetables will work!
3. Improve Your Mood
Some bioactive compounds in turmeric may help with depression so start off brunch or breakfast with a turmeric golden latte. (Check out the golden milk recipe below).
4. Make Your skin glow
Stir some turmeric into soups to give your skin a boost! Add a tablespoon of powdered turmeric to your vegetable soup to help your skin glow.
5. Help an upset stomach feel better
Spice up your oatmeal, quinoa porridge, or buckwheat porridge with some ground turmeric. Its golden color, which has anti-inflammatory compounds, can help alleviate the pain that comes from fattening or spicy foods, alcohol, or lack of exercise.
Vegan Golden Milk
Looking for a quick recipe that's healthy, nutritious, and filled with curcumin? We've got the recipe you need right here. Golden milk is a traditional Ayurvedic drink made with ground turmeric and milk. It is perfectly soothing and warming on cold winter days!
Ingredients:
2 cups coconut, almond or cashew milk
1 tsp ground turmeric
1-2 tbsp maple syrup
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Optional:
1/2 tbsp coconut oil
ginger
vanilla extract
Mix all ingredients into a pot over medium heat until warmed through, whisking briskly. Do not let boil. Pour into a cup and enjoy.
