If you are of South Asian origin, then turmeric is no news to you as it is used in most Indian culinary dishes. It wasn't until recent times, that the western world has been exposed to this powerful spice that is a staple ingredient in every Indian household.
Turmeric comes from a plant which is generally found in southwestern India and parts of south east Asia as it requires warmer temperatures to thrive. Turmeric has been used not only for cooking but also for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. It has been used in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines due to its anti-inflammatory properties. In a nutshell, the benefits of turmeric are endless.
Health benefits of Turmeric
- Powerful antioxidant- the antioxidant properties found in turmeric are known to fight cancer-causing free radicals in our body. Some studies have even shown that it helps to fight prostate, color and skin cancer.
- Helps with Digestion and Weight loss- perfect for after consuming a heavy, greasy meal as it stimulates the gall bladder into making more bile to breakdown the food more quickly. If you have digestive problems, this will be a holy grail ingredient in your kitchen!
- Reduces the risk of heart Disease- Turmeric is know to break down the buildup of "plaque" that results in clogged arteries.
- Fights colds and flu- Helps boost your immune system in fighting off bacterial and viral infections.
- Helps prevent Alzheimer's disease- One of the most common mental illnesses amongst south Asians can be warded off by incorporating turmeric into your diet. It is known to help break down particles that may clog blood vessels. As those blood vessels will receive more oxygen and remain active, it will reduce the chances of developing Alzheimer's disease.
- Helps people with diabetes- Turmeric helps in maintaining a steady blood sugar level and reduces the "sugar highs" by leveling out the insulin/glucose activity in your body.
Uses for Turmeric
Eating
1) Add grated turmeric root or a pinch of turmeric powder into your smoothies
2) Add a small amount into quinoa, curries, soups or stirfrys
3) Make turmeric tea- you can find the recipe here
4) You can also take turmeric in the form of a pill if none of the methods above appeal to you
Here are some other ways to incorporate turmeric into your daily diet.
Beauty
1) You can add turmeric to any home made face mask. It helps to reduce acne, softens the lines and wrinkles amongst many other benefits. I will be doing another blog post on this topic in the near future, as this deserves its own post!
Where to purchase it
Most grocery stores carry turmeric powder generally in the ethnic foods aisle or the spice/seasoning aisle. Turmeric root may be a bit harder to find, so you will have search for it at indian/asian stores. I have not had a look at Whole Foods but I believe they might also carry it! If all fails then you can order both online.
Turmeric Root: http://www.amazon.com/Turmeric-Root-Whole-Organic-Grade/dp/B00FCJXSNK
Turmeric
Powder: http://www.amazon.ca/Jiva-Organics-Organic-Turmeric-Curcumin/dp/B00J5S4SEM
Do you currently have turmeric as a part of your healthy diet?
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