Health Benefits of Adding Turmeric to Your Juices or Smoothies
You might not be familiar with turmeric, but chances are you’ve had it at least once. Turmeric is primary ingredient in many Indian dishes, as well as a coloring agent in foods like as mustard and some cheeses.
You also may not know about turmeric’s numerous health benefits. Continue reading to discover how adding turmeric to your juices and smoothies can enhance your diet and overall wellbeing.
Reducing Osteoarthritis Pain
Even with research in the early stages, one study reports significant findings of turmeric’s ability to treat pain from osteoarthritis, according to WebMD.com. The researchers studied test groups with arthritis and found that a regular dosage of turmeric reduced the pain associated with joint impairment.
The research focused on consuming whole turmeric, rather than a modified supplement made from turmeric, meaning you can simply sprinkle the spice into your juice or smoothie to enjoy its full effect.
Anti-inflammatory Aid
Another major benefit of turmeric is its anti-inflammatory properties. This means it helps to relax blood vessels that become engorged as a response to pain or other irritations.
Adding turmeric into your juices or smoothies can help to alleviate discomfort from a variety of aches and aches. With relief similar to that of taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Research from the University of Arizona also found that turmeric helped to reduce pain from rheumatoid arthritis, furthering the evidence that it can help improve joint movement. The research also suggests that taking turmeric can preemptively help prevent the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.
Fighting Heart Disease
Heart disease, often resulting from long-term diet issues, is one of the leading causes of death among both men and women. Turmeric can help to fight off heart disease by helping the body to remove plaque from the arteries. Plaque in the arteries decreases blood flow through the body.
This obstruction causes the heart to work harder than necessary, which results in damage that can lead to heart attacks. By removing the plaque, the heart is able to function normally.
Promoting Better Digestion
Many people turn to juicing and/or smoothies to help with digestive issues, focusing on detoxifying the body and flushing the system of toxins. Try adding turmeric to your juices/smoothies to bloating and eliminate excess gas.
This spice can also help alleviate discomfort from heartburn, which can lead to other health issues, and major discomfort, if left untreated. Drinking a juice/smoothie blend with turmeric can sometimes provide immediate relief, though the response time may vary between individuals.
Boosting Antioxidant Levels
Turmeric’s most significant health benefit is its high levels of antioxidants, which have a variety of benefits for overall health.
A diet rich in antioxidants can help repair the damage to the heart, reduce the signs of aging, increase energy levels and improve the function of other organs.
Some research suggests that antioxidants can help combat free radicals that can lead to cancer. Research from UCLA found that turmeric contains the compound curcumin that appears to dramatically increase antioxidant levels.
As with all juicing and smoothie ingredients and health tactics, keep in mind that moderation and consistency are key. A half-teaspoon of turmeric per juice or smoothie, a few times a week, is all you need reap its benefits longterm.
Using Turmeric When Juicing or Making Smoothies
You can juice fresh turmeric when juicing or stir in the dried spice to a finished juice. When making your smoothies, just add either the fresh turmeric, or the spice, and blend with all the other ingredients.