TURMERIC
The key to healthy living is decreasing inflammation. Inflammation is beneficial when it comes to short-term healing, but chronic inflammation has negative consequences and affects all of us in different ways. In some people, it can show up on the skin in the form of acne, rashes, redness, itchiness, and more. I wish I had a picture of my chest before I gave up processed foods and added sugar because it was always red and looked like I had a slight sunburn. I assumed the redness was from years in the sun, but as I cleaned up my diet, it went away! For others, inflammation appears as aches, bloating, and autoimmune diseases.
The key to healthy living is decreasing inflammation. Inflammation is beneficial when it comes to short-term healing, but chronic inflammation has negative consequences and affects all of us in different ways. In some people, it can show up on the skin in the form of acne, rashes, redness, itchiness, and more. I wish I had a picture of my chest before I gave up processed foods and added sugar because it was always red and looked like I had a slight sunburn. I assumed the redness was from years in the sun, but as I cleaned up my diet, it went away! For others, inflammation appears as aches, bloating, and autoimmune diseases.
The good news is that our world is full of delicious anti-inflammatory foods that we can incorporate into our diets. Turmeric is one such food, and it is highly underutilized in our part of the world. This bright yellow spice has been used in India for thousands of years as both a spice and a medicinal herb. Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, is the reason it is so beneficial. It has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and is an antioxidant (the good guys that combat free radicals floating around in our bodies, causing damage). Extensive research on this component shows that it is highly beneficial and could be one of the best supplements available.
The downside is that the turmeric spice on store shelves contains only 1-6% curcumin by weight, making it difficult to consume enough for medicinal purposes. Another challenge is that curcumin is poorly absorbed unless consumed with piperine (black pepper) and healthy fats, both of which enhance absorption. That doesn’t mean we should abandon the spice and go straight for supplements. Regularly consuming turmeric can help fight chronic inflammation and boost the body's antioxidant capacity. It has been shown to help combat cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.
Turmeric also enhances food and can easily be incorporated into daily meals. I always encourage people to "habit stack" for success. For example, in our house, we eat scrambled eggs about every other day for breakfast, and I always use salt, pepper, and Everything But The Bagel seasoning. On my stovetop, I have a pretty little dish that holds my frequently used spices, including a vintage salt shaker filled with turmeric. This new habit has simply been added to my existing routine. Turmeric is also amazing in soups and on roasted root vegetables. I have even been known to add a bit to a smoothie with a dash of pepper. After researching this spice, I am even more determined to increase my intake because its benefits are incredible! I encourage you to do your own research—the benefits are too numerous to cover in just this article!
And I highly recommend trying this Golden Milk Latte recipe below. It’s a warm, nourishing treat for your body and incredibly easy to make.
Golden Milk Latte:
1 cup milk or coconut milk
2 tsp honey
1 ½ tsp almond or cashew butter (optional)
½ tsp vanilla
1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon
½ tsp turmeric
¼ tsp ginger
A pinch of black pepper
Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and whisk together, stirring occasionally until heated but not boiling. Pour into a mug, froth, top with a sprinkle of cinnamon, and enjoy. Your body will love you for it!
