Fit Foods: 3 benefits of Turmeric

Here at Xen-Do we like to promote a holistic approach to a healthy body. It turns out that the curry you regretted the next day may well have some health benefits. 

Turmeric is an orange coloured spice imported from India, is part of the ginger family and has been a staple in Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian cooking for thousands of years. Did you know that turmeric is considered a superfood?! Being native to South Asia, this spice has been used in Indian cuisines from centuries. The turmeric plant is a rhizomatous, perennial plant belonging to the ginger family.   Here are just some of the benefits of turmeric:

1. Beneficial in treating arthritis – Arthritis is a bone impairment disorder which can be extremely painful and requires medical attention. Turmeric juice has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and treats the inflammation which causes arthritis. One of the antioxidants present in turmeric is called Curcumin and becomes more active in the diluted form.

2. Prevents cancer – Antioxidants are the key molecules that hamper and regulate the growth of free radicals in the human body. Free radicals are cancer causing agents that interfere with normal cell growth. It has been suggested that the antioxidants in turmeric can lessen your chances of developing cancerous cells, although this is yet to be substantiated by empirical evidence.

3. Heart disease – Studies have suggested that Curcumin may help prevent the build-up of plaque that can clog arteries and lead to heart attack and strokes.

Recipe for Turmeric tea

• Turmeric – 2 teaspoons
• Coconut milk / Almond Milk – 2 tablespoons
• Fresh ginger – 1 teaspoon (peeled and grated)
• Black pepper / cayenne pepper – 1 pinch
• Water – 2 cups
• Pure raw honey – 1 teaspoon (optional)
• Cinnamon powder or bark – (1/2) teaspoon (optional) or one stick
• Pure vanilla extract – (1/2) teaspoon (optional)

1. Turn on the oven and bring the water (if you are going to use cinnamon bark add at this point) to a boil.
2. Add turmeric and grated ginger into the boiling water and cover the pot with a lid to steep the ingredients for some time.
3. Meanwhile, warm up the coconut or almond milk in another pot.
4. Add black or cayenne pepper, cinnamon powder, vanilla extract and honey to it and stir well.
5. Then, pour the entire concoction into the previous liquid and stir once again until well-blended.

The addition of pepper helps your body to absorb the turmeric far more effectively.

So now that you know the amazing qualities of turmeric, why don’t you give it a try? Reap the wonderful benefits and don’t forget to share your experience with us. Stay healthy, stay fit!

This article is based on opinion:
– the author is not a qualified doctor or anyone who can dispense medical advice.
– any opinions stated are just that and people should consult a doctor before making any dietary changes or changes of any nature prompted by the articles published by or on behalf of Xen-Do.
– under 16’s please obtain parental permission before posting anything online.