Cultivated from a flowering plant across Southeast Asia, turmeric has been a staple of diets and traditional medicine for centuries. It’s the thing that creates that gorgeous orange color in your favorite curry. The plentiful benefits of this spice make it a go-to in a healthy lifestyle. So, what can you expect from incorporating turmeric into your diet? Why has it been used as one of the most powerful natural medicines for ages?
Turmeric and Curcumin
The active ingredient that gives turmeric both its lovely color and benefits is curcumin. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant has great anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin can be difficult to be absorbed into the bloodstream. However, the absorption process can be aided by consuming it with an agent that increases the bioavailability of curcumin. For instance, black pepper, which contains piperine, is a natural substance that increases absorption by up to 2000%.
Benefits
Anti-inflammatory properties
Inflammation is a natural response to foreign substances within your body and helps repair damage. However, if inflammation becomes chronic, it can cause longterm damage as it attacks the body itself. Fighting this kind of chronic inflammation can help prevent diseases like heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. Curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and can aid in the fight to prevent chronic inflammation.
Antioxidant capacity
Many diseases related to aging are believed to be caused by oxidative damage. Antioxidants help protect your body from harmful molecules (free radicals) that interfere with proteins, fatty acids, and DNA. The chemical structure of curcumin allows it to fight these free radicals and studies have found that it can block their actions in the body. More studies are needed in humans to confirm these results, but the antioxidant properties of curcumin may have positive long term effects on your health.
Preventative Medicine
Curcumin’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are the reason it has been relied upon as traditional medicine for centuries. Fighting these issues at the molecular level throughout one’s life can lead to lower chances for cancer, heart disease, degenerative diseases, and even depression.
How to Add Turmeric to your diet
The best way to effectively receive doses of turmeric that have scientifically-proven results is through supplements. Most supplements also contain piperin to help ensure efficient delivery of its key benefits. However, adding turmeric into your diet through food and drinks is also a great way to increase your consumption of this highly coveted spice. Incorporating turmeric through wellness shots, juices, and more will give your health an extra boost it will thank you for. Always make sure to check ingredient lists to ensure that black pepper (piperin) is present to ensure maximum absorption. Good news! Our Turmeric Tonic wellness shot contains both turmeric and black pepper!
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric
https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/diet/scientific-health-benefits-turmeric-curcumin/