Ever wondered how to use turmeric? I’m sharing 5 easy ways, different recipes as well as the health benefits of turmeric! It’s a powerful, tasty spice!
PIN How to Use Turmeric
Turmeric is everywhere right now. It’s basically the new cauliflower.
And, it’s for good reason because it is a powerful spice that has many natural health benefits when you use turmeric in food! It’s also super tasty so you’re getting a good health AND taste boost!
Because it’s everywhere, I thought it was time to do a little educational video on the health benefits of turmeric, how to increase the absorption of it (so you get all the good effects of it!) how to use turmeric powder, and favorite turmeric recipes!
5 Health Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric is anti-inflammatory
The active ingredient in turmeric is called “curcumin” which is a power anti-inflammatory agent. Our Western diets are high in many foods that stress our bodies out, such as sugars, alcohol and processed foods. That stress can lead to chronic inflammation, which doctors have called “the silent killer.” So, eating turmeric can help reduce that chronic stress and inflammation.
Turmeric is great for joint health
When we have that chronic inflammation, it really makes our joints swollen and we lose mobility. This is especially true for those that have arthritis. Since that active ingredient, curcumin, is anti-inflammatory
Turmeric helps support healthy cardiovascular system
Turmeric helps promote health in our blood vessels. When our blood vessels are not working properly, we are unable to form blood clots and can get high blood pressure. NO GOOD! So, when turmeric works on those blood vessels it can decrease these things and promote a healthier heart!
Turmeric can help encourage healthy cholesterol levels
That chronic stress that we talked about, called oxidative stress, makes our “bad” cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) increase. When turmeric works on fighting that oxidative stress and inflammation it can in turn help lower that bad cholesterol.
Turmeric can help with stomach issues
Because of it’s warming, inflammation-fighting nature, turmeric can help with bloating, gas and ingestion. It can also stimulate your gall bladder which releases the bile that helps break down food. This helps the digestion of that food!
3 Ways to Increase Turmeric Absorption
If you want to get all the amazing, anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric, you want to make sure you’re absorbing as much of it as you can so it’s there for your body to use. 3 ways to do this are:
Eat it with pepper
Pepper is high in a compound called piperine that slows down the digestion of curcumin. This ends up increasing the absorption of turmeric since it’s not digesting too quickly to be absorbed
Eat it with good fat
Turmeric is fat soluble. If you eat it without a fat for it to bind to, it will really struggle to get through your digestive system without being absorbed prematurely. When it is absorbed prematurely you don’t get all the benefits of it!
Make your own pre-activated paste.
Love golden milk? Me too! You can simmer turmeric with water and black pepper to make a paste. This paste is pre-activated, meaning the power of turmeric has been ready to use when it goes through your body. You can store this paste for golden milk or to use in cooking!
How to use turmeric in food
Well now that you’ve got all the turmeric info you’re probably wondering how to eat turmeric? Here are 5 ways to use turmeric that are super simple!
- Sprinkle it on an avocado (good fat!) with pepper
- Add it into oatmeal. Don’t knock it! It adds some seriously spicy-sweet goodness that I love! Just don’t cook it TOO long as turmeric is heat sensitive. Cooking it too long can make you lose 85% of the health benefits!
- Add it into a smoothie for more spicy-sweet goodness. Plus, no heat required! Add some coconut oil or nut butters for some good healthy fat for it to bind to!
- Golden milk. I always use THIS RECIPE as both Mr. FFF and I love it. I find it’s a SUPER relaxing drink before bed!
- On roasted vegetables. Adding turmeric gives them a little spice and a pretty, golden hue. Add some olive oil and pepper to increase the absorption!
Favorite recipes
I’ve shared MANY recipes with turmeric on here. If you want some more in-depth recipes, here are a few of my favorites:
- Instant Pot Turmeric Chicken and Vegetables
- Healthy Banana Muffins with Turmeric
- Lemon Turmeric Vegan Cheesecake
- Healthy No Bake Cookies with Coconut Oil and Turmeric
- Instant Pot Tahini Cashew Curry
I hope you found this helpful! Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and none of this should be taken as medical advice.
The post How to Use Turmeric + Health Benefits appeared first on Food Faith Fitness.