The Magic of Turmeric

About 5 or so years ago, I was dealing with serious cramping and pain in my right arm. My forearm and hand would start to seize up after using my computer for only 5 minutes, inhibiting my ability to do blog posts, write recipes, cook etc., it was a real nightmare. I went for tests and they were unable to determine what was causing the spasms, leaving my in a position where I was feeling pretty helpless. One day, my boss suggested I started taking turmeric as a natural way to combat inflammation throughout the body so I decided to give it a try. 

I kid you not, within a month, the spasms I was experiencing in my arm had literally disappeared. There was no other change in my daily routine that it could have been attributed to which meant to me that it was the turmeric. Now guys, I swear by my turmeric and I take it in a variety of ways!

Turmeric Benefits

Several compounds in turmeric are being studied for their body benefits, most notably, curcumin. 

• Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties. Long-term inflammation leads to a variety of health problems including Cancer, arthritis, and pancreatitis.
• Curcumin is being studied for its anti-aging properties. 
• Curcumin supplements were studied for their ability to relieve PMS symptoms.
• Alzheimer's - Alzheimer's is the result of chronic inflammation which curcumin CAN reduce. 
• Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidants in curcumin are being studied for their positive effects on our skin. It's being studied for its potential to treat psoriasis, eczema, and photoaging.
• Antioxidants fight free-radicals in our system that can lead to cancer and other serious illnesses / diseases.

Ways to Take Turmeric 

CAPSULES - It's probably the easiest way to consume curcumin in large doses. Curcumin only makes up a small percentage of turmeric so capsules cram large amounts of curcumin extracts into capsule form. It's important to note that our bodies struggle to absorb curcumin naturally so it must be taken with black pepper which has a compound that helps our body better absorb curcumin. Without the black pepper, we are not absorbing the curcumin and reaping the benefits. 

TEAS - Turmeric teas are abundant and super delicious. They're usually paired with flavours like cinnamon, ginger, or other warm spices. Typically, these teas don't contain high amounts of curcumin so they're more to enjoy in addition with the capsules to maximize curcumin benefits. As they're typically herbal, they wouldn't contain caffeine which means you can enjoy them any time of the day.

GOLDEN MILK PASTE - Golden milks are a fabulous way to take in curcumin. Typically, a paste is made by cooking down turmeric, black pepper for better absorption, and water until thick and used to create lattes. Mixed together with ingredients like coconut oil, sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger. This paste can be blended together with your favourite plant-based milks in smoothies or warmed up together for a hot latte. This paste can also be added to soups, stews, and other recipes for additional curcumin.

These are some of the easiest ways to reap the benefits of curcumin but there are so many opportunities to take in all of the benefits. I would suggest the capsules over everything else because its a guaranteed amount of curcumin and when taken with black pepper as suggested, gives you the most curcumin benefits. Mix it up you know? Drink the teas, enjoy a latte, blend some turm into your smoothies, just get it in because turmeric is such a body benefitting addition to your routine.

​Do you already take turmeric? How do you enjoy consuming it for maximum benefits?

HAPPY VEG