WHY IS IT BENEFICIAL TO DRINK TURMERIC?

BY BALA SARDA (HE/HIM)

When we were younger, we used to hear our grandparents talk about turmeric all the time. They would call it the best thing for just about any ailment — from a common cold to a more serious illness. While always intrigued, we never really understood the hype.

For centuries, people used the ancient Indian spice turmeric for its many health benefits. Made from pure turmeric roots or rhizome, the vibrant orangish-yellow spice features a distinctive earthy and pungent aroma with a warm, peppery, and ginger-like flavor.

Organic Turmeric Powder contains more than 3.45% curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric which gives the spice its earthiness and antiinflammatory properties. Turmeric has been used to reduce inflammation, boost immunity, and aid better digestion since time immemorial.

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IT’S AN ANTIDEPRESSANT: Feeling depressed and anxious? Turmeric’s curcumin is key to a blissful and happy life.

2 IT IS ANTI-ARTHRITIC: Turmeric is instrumental in preventing degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylosis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and others.

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4 TURMERIC BOOSTS IMMUNITY, METABOLISM, AND OVERALL GUT HEALTH: One of the quickest home remedies, a glass of ‘Haldidoodh” or turmeric latte fights colds, cough, and fever, which lowers immunity, and overall digestive health.

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IT HAS ANTIMUTAGENIC PROPERTIES: Turmeric can be one of the best ways to fight carcinogens and chemoprevention.

IT IMPROVES HEART HEALTH: A healthy heart loves turmeric because it is a natural vasorelaxant and helps to control high blood pressure along with balancing lipoprotein (HDL)cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio.

Not only a great natural remedy, turmeric is full of antioxidants, antiseptic and antibacterial properties, and other health benefits. Turmeric has also been known to be beneficial in other neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, seizures, and chronic stress to name a few. In one Indian wedding tradition, called the Haldi Ceremony, the newlyweds bathe in turmeric clay to bless them with glory, happiness, and harmony in their marital life.

“However, the catch with turmeric is that it’s a bit peppery or bitter for some, and not quite palatable,” said Ujjwala Baxi, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator. “But that’s not a problem, since you can mix it with some fats like ghee, coconut oil, olive oil, avocado, nut butter, nuts, fish, etc. Curcumin will be directly absorbed into the bloodstream and easily absorbed without the need of going through the digestive system. This is also why turmeric is commonly mixed with warm milk — any kind of milk including coconut, cow, or almond will work.”

She adds that the body does not absorb curcumin very well, so it can be difficult to reap its full benefits. But adding a tiny amount of black pepper can boost the absorption of turmeric because both the active compounds in turmeric and black pepper are compatible. So, eating turmeric with black pepper can help you get the most out of this powerful spice.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• PREP TIME: 2 Minutes

• COOK TIME: 5 Minutes

• TOTAL TIME: 7 Minutes

• SERVINGS: 2

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground allspice

• 1 cup milk: cow, almond, coconut, or rice milk all work

• Jaggery to taste

• Vanilla extract: optional

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Add spices to a small bowl and mix thoroughly.

• Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until it begins to steam.

• Stir in 1 teaspoon of the spice mixture and continue heating milk, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes.

• Pour turmeric milk through a strainer into a cup or mug.

• Add honey and vanilla extract (if using) to taste.

• Store the remaining spice mixture in an airtight container away from heat and light. +