Nature’s Anti-Inflammatory – Turmeric

Sitting somewhere in the back of your spice drawer you likely have a bright coloured jar of turmeric. It is the ingredient in curry that gives it a rich yellow colour, and it can also be your new best friend in the fight against inflammation.

The turmeric root contains a compound called curcumin which has strong anti-inflammatory effects. Before sprinkling a dash of turmeric on your food and thinking your chronic pain and bloating is as good as gone, read on, as that’s not quite the case. It turns out while the curcuminoids in turmeric are a superpower in the fight against inflammation, you need to consume 500-1,000 milligrams of curcumin per day to experience the anti-inflammatory effects they promise. How does this translate to the spice turmeric? There are roughly 200 milligrams of curcumin in one teaspoon of ground turmeric.

Another factor is absorption – you can consume the recommended daily dose of curcumin, but if it isn’t being absorbed properly, you won’t reap the benefits. When paired with black pepper, turmeric can be more readily absorbed by your body. If you are taking a turmeric supplement, it’s a good idea to check the label to make sure black pepper is included. And of course, if you are cooking with turmeric, add some black pepper to your recipe.

Check out this recipe for a turmeric smoothie bowl that packs a punch in the morning – a great way to wake up and start your morning!

Mango Turmeric Smoothie Bowl

Makes 1-2 Servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients 

For the smoothie

• 1 banana
• 1 cup frozen mango
• 1 tbsp hemp seeds
• 1/2 inch piece of ginger
• 2 tsp turmeric
• dash of black pepper
• juice of 1/2 lime
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup coconut milk (or other non-dairy milk)
• 1 tbsp coconut oil

For serving sprinkle on top any or all of the following

• Raspberries
• Coconut chips
• Chia seeds
• Goji berries
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sunflower seeds

• Blend all smoothie ingredients in a high-powered blender on high until smooth. Transfer to 1 or 2 bowls and arrange desired toppings on top.

Enjoy!