The spice turmeric, a root much used in Asian cookery, has been – rightly – grabbing the headlines for its health benefits. Similar in appearance to raw ginger but smaller, it has vivid orange flesh that, ground down, transforms into a bright yellow powder. Curcumin, the constituent that’s responsible for this distinct colour and the yellow in your tikka marsala, is also the chemical responsible for turmeric’s health-giving properties.

Turmeric’s benefits

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Turmeric has been proven to have numerous health benefits:

  • Antioxidant It neutralises free radicals in the body, reducing the damage they cause our DNA and cells.
  • Anti-inflammatory Inflammation is increasingly acknowledged as a precursor to chronic disease. So turmeric is particularly beneficial for all inflammatory conditions, from allergies, to heart disease to osteoarthritis – and more. Research shows that it reduces the risk of blood clots and prevents the build-up of plaque in the arteries, also lowering bad cholesterol and improving good cholesterol.
  • Proof against Alzheimer’s As Alzheimer’s disease is less prevalent in India, it is believed that turmeric could be the reason. Research suggests turmeric removes plaque build-up in the brain, which is thought to contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s.
  • Cancer preventive Much evidence suggests turmeric has powerful anti-carcinogenic properties. When presenter Dr Michael Mosley conducted a trial for the BBC programme Trust Me, I’m a Doctor the results were pretty impressive: out of 100 people those who consumed 1tsp of turmeric in their food every day for six weeks showed favourable gene changes that are known to make you less likely to develop cancer, whereas those who took a curcumin supplement or a placebo experienced no changes. Work by Prof Martin Widschwendter at University College, London shows that these subtle changes, known as DNA methylation, can act like a dimmer switch turning down genetic activity that can lead to cancer and other diseases.
  • Depression, asthma and eczema These same gene changes are also known to be involved in depression, asthma and eczema. It’s not often an academic gets excited on screen, but Prof Widschwendter was effusive on the programme in his praise of turmeric: for more details click here.

Enriching your diet with turmeric

Here are some simple ways to add the ground spice to your food:

  • Add a pinch to homemade salad dressings
  • Spice up your meat with 1tsp added to marinades for chicken and fish
  • Warm up with 1tsp added to carrot and ginger soup
  • Add a touch of variety with 1tsp stirred into scrambled eggs
  • Sprinkle a dusting over sweet potato wedges

Fresh turmeric is now available in some supermarkets. We love it grated, along with ginger, into stir fries.

TIP: turmeric is best added to olive oil right at the start of your cooking as the fat helps to enhance the absorption of beneficial curcumin.

CAUTION: careful if using fresh turmeric as it has a habit of staining clothes and worktops…

Cuddle-up turmeric hot chocolate

1 cup coconut or almond milk

1tbsp cacao powder

2tsp honey (or to taste)

¼tsp ground turmeric

¼tsp ground cinnamon

Mix the cacao powder and 1tbsp of the milk into a smooth paste.  Add the rest of the milk, honey and spices, stir, then simmer over a medium heat. Whisk occasionally until the mixture has warmed through.

Antioxidant turmeric shot

This shot is fabulous if you feel you’re going down with something. As well as the anti-inflammatory powers of turmeric, lemon is an immune system booster, provides a concentrated dose of vitamin C and is a natural detoxifier that’s extremely alkaline, balancing the pH of the body. Ginger root is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-viral and anti-histamine. Talk about a great kickstart to the day!

¾-1 lemon

1 thumb-sized chunk of ginger

1-2tsp turmeric powder or fresh root

Juice the ingredients, add the turmeric, pour into a glass – and feel the force!

 

CurcuDyn Forte

We stock Nutri’s CurcuDyn Forte (£26.20), a unique, synergistic formula that combines a powerful herbal trio of turmeric, boswellia and ginger, each known for their ability to support a healthy inflammatory response as well as joint health. The turmeric extract within CurcuDyn Forte features curcuminoids and turmerones. The boswellia extract features the active component acetyl-11-keto-boswellic acid, also known as AKBA.The innovative delivery system of fenugreek galactomannans, slowly releases the embedded turmeric and boswellia extracts and their active constituents over time, resulting in improved bioavailability.

Recommended for anyone with joint issues. However, if you’re taking anti-coagulant medications, and/or if you have gallstones or obstructed bile passages, then you must consult your healthcare practitioner/doctor before using this product.

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