Turmeric - properties and recipes. Is it healthy?

Spices are a very important part of our diet. Not only do they add flavor to dishes, but they also have a positive effect on the human body. An example of a very healthy spice is turmeric. It can be introduced to the menu using recipes for dishes with turmeric or prepare drinks with medicinal properties. When should you use turmeric? Does turmeric help you lose weight?

Turmeric - characteristics

Turmeric is a plant rhizome originating from Asia. The use of turmeric as a health enhancing product is known from Indian Ayurveda. Turmeric is characterized by an intense yellow-orange color. It results from the presence of dyes (e.g. curcumin), which have many health-promoting properties. In particular, they are characterized by a strong antioxidant effect.

Other important ingredients contained in turmeric include numerous vitamins (C, E, K), polyphenols, minerals (e.g. potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium) and unsaturated fatty acids. Turmeric is also a source of dietary fiber, which accounts for more than half of the content of this product.

Turmeric - properties

Turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it is an important element in the prevention of many dangerous diseases. Consuming turmeric, among others:

prevents the development of cancer and supports the treatment of existing tumors,

regulates the level of glucose in the blood, thus supporting the control of diabetes,

prevents the accumulation of bad cholesterol in the body,

limits the growth of adipose tissue, thanks to which it supports slimming,

inhibits the development of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease,

works antidepressant.

What turmeric recipes to choose?

The easiest way to use turmeric is to add it to meat dishes, sauces or soups. In addition to preparing dinner dishes with the addition of turmeric, it is also worth using it in other ways. Turmeric can be added to tea or coffee by adding a pinch of powdered spice to the drink. You can also use it to season rice, groats or, for example, cauliflower. It also goes well with scrambled eggs and omelettes, which further enhances their color.

The use of turmeric with pepper is particularly beneficial, thanks to which the health-promoting properties of these spices are enhanced.

Turmeric - dose and contraindications

For best results, turmeric should be consumed daily. The appropriate dose has not been clearly defined, but it can be periodically increased to approx. 1.5 g. People who do not like the taste of turmeric can reach for dietary supplements containing turmeric root extract.

Pregnant women should limit consumption of turmeric, as this spice can cause uterine contractions, which puts the risk of miscarriage or premature birth. In addition, when taking medications, make sure that they do not interact with turmeric, which could negatively affect the treatment.

Golden milk - recipe

A popular drink with the addition of turmeric is the so-called golden milk. For its preparation we need:

2 teaspoons of turmeric,

½ teaspoon of black pepper,

½ teaspoon of ginger,

3 tablespoons of water,

vegetable oil,

plant or animal milk.

First, mix the turmeric, pepper and ginger in the water. You can use ground spice powder or grate fresh spices. The prepared mixture should be cooked until it thickens, about 10 minutes.

For one serving of golden milk, 1 teaspoon of spice paste, 1 cup of milk and 1 tablespoon of oil are used. All ingredients should be boiled and preferably drunk on an empty stomach. The rest of the paste can be stored in the refrigerator.

Medicinal fasting in the prevention of diseases

In addition to the use of products with rich health-promoting properties, it is worth carrying out a fast to cleanse the body from time to time. Healing fasting, which can be used at the Sofra Health Institute, is carried out under the supervision of a doctor, thanks to which its use is safe. Such fasting helps to remove harmful compounds, damaged cells and improves parameters such as blood pressure, blood cholesterol or glucose levels. Healing fasting has a positive effect on the treatment of civilization diseases and supports weight loss.