After attending Integrative Nutrition, turmeric quickly became an everyday staple in my kitchen. Why? Well, believe me, this spice is actually pretty magical.
Ok, so I got a little carried away in Photoshop just now. But in all seriousness, turmeric is quite possibly the most important spice in your spice cabinet!!
I first heard about turmeric from one of the IIN teachers, Dr. John Douillard, who has a PhD in Ayurvedic Medicine. According to Douillard, turmeric is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory spices out there. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, can help protect against cancer, decrease physical pain and liver ailments, increase mental clarity, increase intestinal health, increase fat loss, and lower cholesterol. It has even been shown to outperform chemo drugs for colon cancer!!
Turmeric is anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. Inflammation is the cause of many chronic diseases that cause health to deteriorate. In India, they eat turmeric every day and have the lowest rate of Alzheimer’s in the world!
Great health starts in the gut, and turmeric actually pulls mucus off the walls of your intestinal tract.
Douillard also let us know that when you mix turmeric and black pepper together, you increase your body’s absorption of the turmeric by 2000%! That’s right – you should always mix black pepper in with your turmeric!
Turmeric is one of the best things you can eat for enhanced health and disease prevention — and it’s delicious! Sprinkle some turmeric (and black pepper!) on basically any dish that you’d use savory spices for. Stir-fry, rice, vegetables, eggs, meat/fish…anything, really. Just use it! I make an amazing sauce for rice & vegetables using turmeric. It’s a mixture of tahini, white miso, coconut milk, tamari, ume plum vinegar, turmeric, black pepper, cayenne & sage.
What’s your favorite way to incorporate the magical turmeric into a meal?
Nicole says
I always add turmeric to my weekend tempeh veggie scrambles. It makes them even more scrumptious!
Lorin W says
Its also GREAT for your skin! I mix a little (very little) with my moisturier at night and sleep in it and my skin looks great everytime! Don’t worry the yellow tone washes off in the shower or with any soap. One question – what are your thoughts on Tumeric caplets. I’ve seen them at health food stores and didnt know if it was a good idea to take these if I’m not incorporating tumeric into my meals regularly.
jenny sansouci says
@Nicole – thanks for the tip, sounds amazing!
@Lorin – I always think it’s better to consume the whole food rather than supplements/capsules, but I’m sure it couldn’t hurt!
Amy Carole says
Hey Jenny! love the new site!
here in Bali they serve these drinks called Jamus, which is a blanket term for various healthy drink concoctions. Their most popular one is made with tumeric, lime and honey. it’s DELISH. if you can find tumeric in root form (did you know it’s a form of ginger?) you can juice it and add lime and honey and boom, instant goodness!!
xoxo
jenny sansouci says
Amy!! Thanks for the tip, that sounds incredible! i’m sure you’re learning all kinds of amazing healthy things for your mind, body & spirit on your adventures overseas. Love love love your site :)
carmel rogers says
Are there any side effects from eating some raw turmeric every day?
How much can you eat a day?
jenny sansouci says
I think it’s probably fine to eat every day. I have never eaten more than a few generous sprinkles on my meals…so I’m not sure how much is too much. Use your judgement. :)
Lisa says
How much turmeric do you need to use everyday to receive any health benefits from it?
jenny sansouci says
Any amount is beneficial!
Larry says
I use 1 or 2 tablespoons of tumeric powder every day mixed into a protein/creatine shake. I add olive oil and black pepper to facilitate absorption. I started taking tumeric a couple of years ago and I haven’t been sick since. (I am a 76 year old bodybuilder). I buy my tumeric in one-pound bags from Nuts Online—about 6 0r 7 dollars. I buy 4 bags at a time.