Turmeric has long been used as a powerful anti-inflammatory in both the Chinese and Indian systems of medicine. This spice often used in curry, is an excellent source of both iron and manganese. It is also a good source of vitamin B6, dietary fiber and potassium. But my obsession with this gingery, orange spice is from the loads of health benefits that it provides. In this week’s blog I’ll let you know all the tremendous health benefits of this wonder spice and give you a few ideas on how to integrate it into your daily food regime.
Turmeric has been used in the Chinese and Indian systems of medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent to treat a wide variety of conditions, including flatulence, jaundice, menstrual difficulties, bloody urine, hemorrhage, toothache, bruises, chest pain, and colic. Since then, turmeric has been found to also aid in the below list of health conditions:
1. Effective treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
2. Relief for Rheumatoid Arthritis
3. Help for Cystic Fibrosis ailments
4. Cancer prevention and inhibits cancer cell growth and metastases and reduces the side effects of chemotherapy
5. Combined with onion, may help prevent colon cancer
6. Combined with cauliflower, can halt prostate cancer
7. Reduces the risk of childhood Leukemia
8. Improves liver function
9. Protects your cardiovascular system
10. Lowers cholesterol
11. Protects against Alzheimer’s disease
12. Slows progression of MS
13. Helps with weight management
14. Strengthens ligaments and speeds up wound healing
15. Natural analgesic, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and blood purifier
16. Great for digestive health in terms of healing stomach ulcers to preventing gas and bloating to improving overall digestion
17. Helps with various skin conditions
18. Can aid in depression
So now that you’re on your way to the store to buy this miracle spice, I thought I would share a few of my favorite ways to add it to meals.
First, on your morning eggs. The spice is far from overbearing in terms of taste, so adding a sprinkle on top of your morning eggs is a simple addition straight out of the gate.
In your home made salad dressings…whether you make them from scratch or out of the bottle, this is easy to add a dash to for an additional way to get this in your tummy.
On your protein. Whether you’re making chicken, tofu, beef or fish, add turmeric to your protein. It is easily absorbed and works really well with other flavors and tastes.
With your carbohydrates. If you are making rice, quinoa or couscous, add a dash to the water so that it absorbs into the food for added benefits.
Turmeric can be found in every grocery store with the other spices. Once you get into the habit of adding it to your food, you will truly feel the benefits to your body. And long-term, there are countless so be sure to start this wonder flavor into your routine today!