Turmeric and its Golden Benefits
By Melanie Kiss
What can turmeric, a 4,000-year-old root, do for you? Its health benefits are just as golden as its colour. Learn how you can incorporate it into your diet in fresh, new ways to boost your health.
Turmeric is part of the ginger family and is native to India and Southeast Asia. To make turmeric into a powder, it is boiled, dried, and finely ground. In my personal opinion, fresh turmeric root is healthier and more flavourful in its natural raw form.
Health Benefits and Uses
• It is a natural liver detoxifier.
• Turmeric is a great anti-inflammatory agent and painkiller. Persons who suffer from arthritis can benefit from regular consumption.
• Turmeric has also long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
• It may help speed up skin problems and wound healing by repairing damaged skin.
• It boosts brain function.
• Aids digestion and may help to alleviate an upset stomach.
• Helps to purify blood.
• Regulates blood sugar levels.
Did you know that Turmeric has been used as a dye in many products, including mustard, soaps, and dairy products to give it its golden colour? Turmeric stains everything except your teeth, which is why some people occasionally use coconut oil and turmeric powder as a natural teeth whitener. Turmeric is also a home remedy for sunburn and is an ingredient in some sunscreens.
When making smoothies, I enjoy the combination of ginger and turmeric. Since they are from the same root family, they taste wonderful together. Here’s the recipe for my morning booster shot.
Morning Booster Recipe
1 lemon
A small piece of ginger and a tiny bit of turmeric
A freshly-squeezed fruit of your choice (1-3 ounces, depending on how potent you want to make it)
Blend the ingredients and enjoy!
If you wish to enjoy it as a drink, add more juice from your freshly squeezed fruit until the ingredients are diluted.
Another popular and delicious drink is the Indian Golden Milk. Here is my variation.
Indian Golden Milk Recipe
Milk of your choosing (I enjoy it with homemade cashew or coconut milk).
A small piece of turmeric.
Ceylon cinnamon and a sprinkle of black pepper.
Honey or maple syrup for sweetness.
A tiny piece of ginger for flavour.
Blend the ingredients and serve warm or cold.
During your next trip to Cabarete, visit our in-house nutritionist at the Extreme Hotel and learn about the importance of nutrition coaching during your fitness vacation.
