Is it too-meric or tur-mer-ic? However you say it, turmeric is an all-star spice that packs a punch. Here’s why turmeric tea is the antioxidant boost your body’s been missing.
Spilling the turmeric tea
Turmeric (aka Curcuma longa) is an ancient spice related to ginger. It’s often called the Golden Spice due to its vibrant yellow-orange color, and has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years.
Turmeric is a natural source of the antioxidant curcumin. This powerful compound has killer anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Drinking turmeric as a tea is one of the most effective ways to enjoy its health benefits. You can brew it as a powder or with grated roots.
The many benefits of sippin’ on turmeric tea
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but turmeric is even better. A daily cup of the Golden Spice has incredible proven health benefits.
1. Reduces arthritis pain
Turmeric has fantastic anti-inflammatory properties. A 2016 review found that 1000 milligrams of turmeric extract reduced pain in folks with arthritis. It also held its own against commercial pain medication like ibuprofen.
2. Boosts your immune system
Throw your immune system an herbal lifeline. Curcumin has been shown to help immune function due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. That’s a lot of antis!
3. Aids heart health
High cholesterol can put you at a greater risk for cardiovascular diseases. A 2017 meta-analysis of seven different studies showed turmeric consumption helped to lower LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) and triglyceride levels.
4. Helps prevent cancer (and possibly aids treatment!)
Curcumin may be a possible treatment for cancer, studies have shown. It helps promote healthy cellular function. This helps reduce the spread of cancerous cells.
Turmeric may also help build immunity in those undergoing treatment. A 2015 study showed curcumin helped restore normal immune function in those fighting cancer.
5. Helps manage ulcerative colitis (UC)
Turmeric helps keep the immune system in tip top shape while reducing inflammation. This is awesome news for those with ulcerative colitis (UC).
UC inflames the colon and rectum. It can cause pain, cramps, and bleeding from the bum. There’s no cure so symptom management is key. A 2018 review found that curcumin combined with melamine treatment helped improve UC symptoms more than placebo. Woo!
6. Helps manage irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Similar to ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often means pain, cramping, and frequent pooping.
A 2012 animal study showed that curcumin can slow down gastric emptying. That’s the amount of time it takes food to leave the stomach and head to the small intestine. Less trips to the toilet? Yes please. Human studies need to still be performed to verify this benefit.
7. Helps prevent alzheimer’s
Drinking this golden tea may help your memories last longer.
Research from animal studies has found that neurodegenerative conditions can be reduced thanks to turmeric. Curcumin has been shown to reduce cell damage, inflammation, and amyloid plaques that occur with Alzheimer’s. More research is needed to confirm these benefits in humans.
8. Helps prevent liver damage and conditions
The liver is one of the largest organs in the body and has many important metabolic functions. Studies have found curcumin can increase bile which is needed for digestion. It can also protect liver cells from damage and keeps them healthy.
9. Helps manage diabetes
Type 2 diabetes affects over 30 million Americans. Turmeric can help keep you diabetes-free. Studies have found that curcumin has a therapeutic effect that could counteract diabetes. It can also help combat insulin resistance, a determinant of diabetes severity.
10. Helps manage lung conditions
Breathe easy with turmeric. It’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties need to be thanked once more. Curcumin is great for managing lung conditions.
A 2017 medical review showed curcumin may help treat conditions like asthma, pulmonary and cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
11. Aids in weight loss
If weight loss is your goal, turmeric may help you out.
A 2019 review and meta-analysis found that curcumin played a big part in weight loss. Participants who took between 70 and 2400 milligrams a day saw a reduction in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and weight.
Let’s get steepin’
Turmeric tea couldn’t be easier. All you need is hot water and pure turmeric powder. You can also use grated, ground, or dried turmeric. To enhance the bioavailability of curcumin, consider adding black pepper to your tea.
How to brew turmeric tea
Makes: 2 servings (or one big serving)
💠 Boil 2 cups of water.
💠 Add 1 to 2 teaspoons ground, grated, or powdered turmeric.
💠 Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes.
💠 Strain the tea into a cup.
Let it cool and enjoy!
If this is too basic you can add your own spin. Here are some options:
💠 Add honey for a kiss of sweetness. Honey’s also a great choice due to its antimicrobial properties.
💠 Add milk, cream, coconut oil, or ghee. This will give it a richer taste and assists with absorption. The pinch of fat helps the curcumin dissolve.
💠 Add a squeeze of lemon or lime. Give the tea some citrus flair and vitamin C.
If you really wanna treat yo’ self try a golden latte. This is a great alternative to your morning cup of joe.
How to make a golden latte
Makes: 2 servings (or one big serving)
💠 Heat (don’t boil) 2 cups of unsweetened milk of your choice.
💠 Add 1 to 2 teaspoons ground, grated, or powdered turmeric.
💠 Add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon.
💠 Add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon ginger.
💠 Add honey to taste.
💠 Turn down the heat and let the mixture steep for about 10 minutes.
💠 Strain the tea into a cup.
Let it cool and enjoy!
If DIYing isn’t your thing, you can also purchase turmeric tea bags that you can just steep and drink like any other tea.
A word of caution: Safety and risks of turmeric tea
While it’s rare to drink too much turmeric tea, a super high dose of turmeric might cause side effects like:
🔷 Dizziness
🔷 Diarrhea
🔷 Nausea
🔷 Increased stomach acidity (increasing your risk of ulcers)
🔷 Blood-thinning
Also, not everyone should jump on the turmeric tea bandwagon. According to a 2017 review certain medications don’t pair well with turmeric. These can include:
🔷 Antidepressants
🔷 Antibiotics
🔷 Antihistamines
🔷 Blood thinners
🔷 Some chemo treatments
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health suggests avoiding turmeric tea if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. There aren’t enough studies to show if turmeric has an adverse effect on bébés.
As always, touch base with your doctor before adding additional supplements or herbs to your diet. Too much of a good thing can make some conditions worse.
Drink up
Grab your mug. Boil some water. Get your turmeric beverage brewing! Keep it simple with a spoonful of honey and some black pepper for absorption. Or, get fancy with a golden latte. Whichever you prefer, your body is ready to enjoy the benefits it brings.
Courtesy : greatist.com