The potential health benefits of turmeric

The potential health benefits of turmeric 

Tumeric – a spice spanning several cultures has a long history dating back about 4, 000 years ago.  Native to areas such as India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, turmeric has been used to treat a variety of conditions over the centuries and is still revered as a time-honored medicinal seasoning to this day.  Over 1 billion people worldwide regularly consume turmeric as part of their diet. 

Widely used in cooking, turmeric comes from the plant Curcuma longa, a member of the same family as ginger.  It is used to give color to mustard, butter and cheese and also provides the flavor and color to Indian curry.   Over the centuries, turmeric has been thrust into the spotlight for its possible and promising disease-preventing abilities. 

Ways turmeric may improve health

Turmeric has become an international sensation due to its evidence-based health benefits.  Several studies have shown that this spice has the potential for providing major improvements for your body and brain. Below are several examples on how turmeric can lead to important health improvements:

·      Potent natural anti-inflammatory for treating both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

·      Possibly may prevent prostate cancer by stopping the growth of existing prostate cancer and even may destroy cancer cells.

·      Helps to moderate insulin levels in the treatment of diabetes

·      Reduces blood cholesterol levels and helps prevent many cardiovascular diseases.

·      Antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal agents and also helps strengthen the immune system.

·      Aids in the removal of plaque build-up in the brain and improves the flow of oxygen to help prevent or slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease

How to include more turmeric in your diet

While there is much research indicating turmeric’s strong potential for improving many health conditions, how exactly do you incorporate a spice into your diet?  Here are a few ideas:

·      Make “Golden Milk” (recipe below)

·      Stir into yogurt with honey

·      Sprinkle over veggies before roasting or stir frying

·      Add to hummus

·      Mix into broths, soups, stews, or chile

·      Use in marinade for grilled meats

·      Scramble with eggs

·      Add to a fruit smoothie

·      Include  into rice and whole grain dishes

·      Add a dash of turmeri to baked goods like banana or zucchini bread

Recipe for Golden Milk

Ingredients:

·      1 cup of milk or almond milk

·      1 teaspoon dried turmeric

·      1 teaspoon dried ginger

·      1 teaspoon coconut oil (optional)

·      Flavor to taste – try honey, agave, stevia, cinnamon and/or nutmeg

·      Sprinkle of black pepper

Directions:

Mix all ingredients and warm in saucepan or microwave.