Turmeric, the latest 'it' spice, for all the right reasons

The humble spice turmeric has gained a lot of mainstream popularity over the last few years for its strong medicinal effects.

Herbalists have used turmeric for years for its strong antioxidant effect as well as its beneficial effect on the liver. But recently it has taken off in supplement form for its strong anti-inflammatory effect, with many people finding it helpful in reducing aches and pains, in particular with arthritic conditions.

Whats the difference between curcumin and turmeric?

Well curcumin is the active component of the turmeric root. When it comes to turmeric supplements most supplements extract the curcumin which is the strong anti-inflammatory constituent of the turmeric and concentrate it into capsule form. This is where the difference between consuming the food in its fresh or powdered form and using the capsules. To get the same concentration of the curcumin you would have to consume a LOT of the fresh/powdered stuff.

Now don’t get me wrong, the fresh and powdered turmeric is also beneficial, especially as a preventative action against inflammatory conditions. Consume it in curries, juices and smoothies, as well as the latest craze ‘golden mylk’ and you will be getting a good dose of turmeric filled with antioxidants.

A lot of the supplements will also contain black pepper and this is beneficial for 2 reasons. Curcumin on its own has a relatively low bioavailablity, meaning that the body cannot easily absorb it. By adding the black pepper it increases the bodies ability to absorb it, allowing you to get the most bang for your buck. The addition of black pepper also promotes circulation and blood flow, which is vital for the delivery of the anti-inflammatory curcumin to the extremities, which is often where the anti-inflammatory action is needed most.

So apart from its strong anti-inflammatory action, turmeric has had many clinic studies done for its antioxidant effect, its use as an adjunct therapy in chemotherapy and as a liver protector and promoting the healthy production of bile from the liver and gall bladder.

So what are you waiting for? Get stuck into the turmeric today! And to get you started I have included a fantastic golden milk recipe, just so you can look cool and get some extra likes on insta :-P

Golden Mylk recipe:

1/2 cup coconut milk

1 teaspoon of freshly grated turmeric or 1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric

1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper

1 teaspoon of coconut sugar or maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan on the stove. Whisk until it has all been dissolved. Heat until milk begins to simmer and the take off heat and serve.

Consume after dinner to aid digestion and liver function