Because of its vivid yellow-orange hue, turmeric has been traditionally referred to as “Indian saffron.” It has been used for centuries as a condiment, medical medicine, and textile dye.
In the fight against the common cold and cough, as well as in the effort to restore beauty and health, grandma’s secret weapon was turmeric, also known as Haldi. Because of this, nearly every cabinet in an Indian home contains a jar containing turmeric in some form. The use of the super food turmeric, whether it be for adding flavor to curries or for giving foods a mustardy appearance, is just as crucial as the addition of salt.
What are the Various Forms That Turmeric Can Come In?
Are you ready to increase your consumption? Consuming between 2.5 to 5 grams of turmeric powder per day with your meals is recommended by medical professionals as the optimal amount to get the benefits of using turmeric. Even if that seems like a lot, other people claim that you can experience the same advantages from far lower doses (ranging from 500 to 2,000 mg).
Other forms of turmeric besides powder include the whole root, an extract, tablets, and capsules. Turmeric powder is the most common type. If you choose the pill or capsule route, seek options that have black pepper on the ingredient list.
Taking curcumin by itself does not result in a very high rate of absorption in the body; however, taking, it with black pepper results in a significant increase in absorption. Consuming turmeric in conjunction with a fat source (think olive oil, avocados, or nut butter) has also been shown to improve absorption in research studies.
Full disclosure: if you have a health issue or if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication, you should speak with your doctor or a medical health professional before significantly increasing the amount of turmeric you consume or taking supplements.
Consume and Drink Turmeric
However, it can also be put to use in a variety of different ways that may not have occurred to you. Read on to learn about some of the areas where turmeric is finding new uses and applications, in addition to the medical characteristics it possesses. When you have some spare time, you should absolutely give it a shot.
Turmeric Tea
Have you ever heard of a tea made with turmeric and ginger that helps fight chronic flu as well as aches and pains? Without a shadow of a doubt, it does. The anti-inflammatory effects of this calming and soothing beverage will become immediately apparent when you simply cook some turmeric with milk and honey in a saucepan.
Turmeric Milk
Drinking Turmeric Milk Before going to bed each night, mix one teaspoon of ground turmeric into one glass of warm milk and then drink the mixture. When you wake up the following morning, you will notice that the aches and pains in your body have vanished into thin air.
Rice
If you want the rice to have a different fragrance, try adding some turmeric to it. Not only does this contribute to flavor, but it also brings an appealing color to the dish.
Soup
Trying new things with food might open your mind to new perspectives. The nutritional value of lentil soup will significantly improve if you add some turmeric to it.
Salad dressing with turmeric
If you want to make your salad dressing more healthful and nutritious, try adding a pinch of turmeric to it.
Eggs
To make scrambled eggs, season a boiled egg with salt and pepper as you would normally do. You can also try turmeric to achieve a more vibrant and rich yellow color.
Rice
Because of the dietary and nutritional benefits, it offers, brown rice is quickly gaining popularity in metropolitan areas. This variety of rice is known as wild rice. Brown rice that has been cooked should be given a fresh look by seasoning it with dried fruits and turmeric.
Cauliflower
If you want to give the bland cauliflower a tasty edge, split its florets in half, and then sauté it by adding a teaspoon of turmeric for around 5 minutes. This will give the cauliflower a delicious edge. After taking, it off the heat, season it to taste with salt, pepper, and olive oil, then toss it so that it develops a flavor that makes your mouth water.
Juices and Smoothies
Add turmeric to fruit smoothies or juices, as well as yogurt, to get its health benefits.
Turmeric should be added to food whenever it is practical to do so. It can be quickly and effectively used by sprinkling it on vegetables or used in dressings. Rubbing turmeric on meat and adding it to curries and soups is not only affordable but also has a mild flavor and provides several health advantages to every system in the body.
Margaritas
It’s one of my favorite ways to use super foods in mixed drinks. I do it for the flavor, but I also prefer to make drinks that are as healthy as they can be. Although I am aware that drinking no alcohol at all is the healthiest option, I do allow myself a few alcoholic beverages on the weekend. When it comes to maintaining a healthy diet, one must choose their pleasure, and if I had to choose one, it would be a margarita made with tequila (or my favorite mezcal), fresh lime, Combier or Cointreau, and turmeric. The combination of two parts (or two ounces, as I create little drinks) of booze, one part lime juice, and one-half part liquor is one that I particularly enjoy. There will be no simple syrup served. Combine this with a couple of pinches of turmeric and shake it up. Cheers!
Conclusion
One of the most beneficial things that you can do for your health, in the long run, is to incorporate this potent plant into your diet.
As you’ve seen, turmeric does indeed have a great deal to offer, both in terms of the possible health benefits it might provide and the delicious ways in which it can be enjoyed. Experiment with the suggestions made above, or come up with your own! Including turmeric in your diet is beneficial for practically everyone, regardless of whether you have a preexisting medical problem or are simply trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle (as long as your doctor has given you the green light).
Resources
Tumeric https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/turmeric
Gescher A. Editorial: curcumin: recent insights, novel developments, new challenges. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 2013;57(9):1509.
Turmeric. Natural Medicines website. Accessed at natural medicines.therapeutic research.com on December 27, 2019. [Database subscription].