Turmeric powder is the new trend in health food stores and has joined the ranks of ‘superfood’ status around the world. Taking its origins from Ayuvedic medicine, turmeric has been used for centuries for its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
Obtained from the Curcuma longa plant of the ginger family, this plant is native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It has mainly been used in Asian cooking, especially in curries and has a warm, bitter, pepper-like flavour. The bioactive ingredient in turmeric is actually curcumin, which is a potent antioxidant and is known to be beneficial against cancer, high cholesterol, Alzhemier’s disease, arthritis and other illnesses.
Benefits of Turmeric Powder
Some of the benefits that taking turmeric powder can help with are:
Alzheimer's
Studies have shown that curcumin with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits may reduce cellular damage, inflammation and amyloid deposits that occur with neurodegenerative conditions like Alzhemier’s. Thus, they may be able to slow down such age-related changes in the body that are linked to neurodegeneration.
Arthritis
Turmeric can help with the pain, stiffness and inflammation of arthritis with its natural anti-inflammatory properties, especially for the elderly who are more susceptible to arthritis.
Liver Damage
Curcumin can protect the liver cells from damage from bile-related chemicals and also increases the production of digestive bile, thus protecting against liver damage.
Heart Disease
Curcumin may help to improve heart health like heart attacks and acute myocardial infraction with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Cancer
Curcumin is thought to lower the risk of cell damage and mutations due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin is being studied as something to be used alongside chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
4 Ways to Use Your Turmeric Powder
Knowing how powerful some of the health benefits are, you can use turmeric powder to be incorporated into your regular diet, like adding it to smoothies, drinks, curries, food and so on.
Here are 3 ways you can use turmeric powder:
#1: In your Drinks
The easiest way to add turmeric is to your drinks
Golden milk or Turmeric latte is one of the top Ayurvedic drinks with turmeric in it. The taste is rich and creamy with spices and sweetness mixed in. You can make this with most of the ingredients that you already have in your pantry at home.
- 1 1/2 cups light coconut milk (from the can)
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1 stick cinnamon or 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 2-3 tbsp maple syrup or other sweetener
Mix all the ingredients in a small pot and whisk frequently over medium heat for about 5-6 minutes. Do not boil, as they may mean losing the health benefits of the turmeric. Adjust for sweetness and taste as needed.
Serve in a mug and enjoy!
Jamu is a type of traditional Indonesian medicinal juice made from natural ingredients from plants. A common type of jamu in Bali is made with turmeric. It is easy to make and requires a few simple ingredients, however the taste can be pungent and intense and takes some getting used to. You can make it use ground turmeric, as finding fresh turmeric can be difficult in some countries as it’s not available.
- 50 g ground turmeric
- 20 g fresh ginger root
- 2-4 tbsp fresh lime/ lemon juice
- 4 cups water
- Optional: 1-2 tbsp honey or other sweetener
Add all ingredients to the blend and mix until it’s smooth. Strain through a sieve if needed. Pour into glass bottles to refrigerate.
#2: In Your Food
Turmeric Scrambled Tofu is a great recipe to use in place of eggs for a breakfast dish. The recipe uses crumbled firm tofu as a substitute for eggs and turmeric powder for flavour and colouring to make it look like real scrambled eggs!
- 8 ounces or 225g of firm tofu
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
Chop the tofu and use a fork to crumble it into bite-sized pieces.
Add some oil to a frying pan, add the crumbled tofu and all the remaining ingredients. Stir until well combined and cook over medium-high heat for 5 to 10 minutes.
#3: As a Daily Supplement
Turmeric can also be taken as a daily supplement to gain additional benefits. Taking a dosage of 500–2,000 mg of turmeric per day in capsule form is recommended. Alternatively consuming about 3 grams of ground turmeric would also be sufficient.
#4: For Oral Health
Another way to use your turmeric powder is for your oral health. You can use ground turmeric mixed with some water to create a paste to be smeared onto your gums to improve gum health and disease. You can also use turmeric as a form of mouthwash to rinse your mouth after brushing. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric works to improve gum and oral health.
Side effects of Turmeric
Do note that taking too much turmeric may cause a few side effects, such as an upset stomach, nausea and diarrhea, iron deficiency and affect your blood thinning medication. If in doubt, do consult with your doctor before consuming turmeric as a daily supplement.
Choose Nature Glory’s Tri-Colour Turmeric Powder
Not just any turmeric powder, Nature’s Glory 3 Colour Fermented Turmeric Powder is made from 3 types of fermented turmeric - purple, spring and autumn turmeric from beautiful Okinawa in Japan. The fermentation of the turmeric reduces the sugar content and makes the nutrients more bioavailable.
Furthermore, the product is organically grown and no chemicals or additives are used. You are recommended to take 3-5 grams or 1 to 2 teaspoons a day. This turmeric powder is good for your blood pressure, stomach and liver trouble, arthritis, brain, heart and overall to maintain good health.