11 Health Benefits of Turmeric Tea
Spice Up Your Life: 11 Health Benefits of Turmeric Tea
Is it too-meric or tur-mer-ic?
However, you say it, turmeric is an all-star spice that packs a punch. Here’s
why turmeric tea is the antioxidant boost your body’s been missing.
Turmeric (aka Curcuma longa) is an ancient spice
related to ginger. It’s often called the Golden Spice due to its vibrant
yellow- orange color and has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of
years.
Turmeric is a natural source of the antioxidant curcumin. This
powerful compound has killer anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.
Drinking turmeric as a tea is one of the most effective ways to enjoy its
health benefits. You can brew it as a powder or with grated roots.
The many benefits of sipping’
on turmeric tea
1. Reduces arthritis pain
Turmeric has fantastic anti-inflammatory properties. A 2016 review found that 1,000 milligrams
of turmeric extract reduced pain in folks with arthritis. It also held its own
against commercial pain medication like ibuprofen.
2. Boosts your immune system
Throw your immune system an herbal lifeline. Curcumin has been
shown to help immune function due to its
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. That’s
a lot of antis!
3. Aids heart health
High cholesterol can put you at a greater risk for
cardiovascular diseases. A 2017 review of
seven studies showed turmeric consumption helped to lower LDL cholesterol (the
bad kind) and triglyceride levels .
4. Helps prevent cancer (and possibly aids treatment!)
Curcumin may be a possible treatment for cancer, studies have shown. It helps promote
healthy cellular function. This helps reduce the spread of cancerous cells.
Turmeric may also help build immunity in those undergoing
treatment. A 2015 study showed curcumin helped restore
normal immune function in those fighting cancer.
5. Helps manage ulcerative colitis (UC)
Turmeric helps keep the immune system in tip top shape while
reducing inflammation. This is awesome news for those with UC.
UC inflames the colon and rectum. It can cause pain, cramps, and
bleeding from the bum. There’s no cure so symptom management is key. A 2018 review found
that curcumin combined with melamine treatment helped improve UC symptoms more
than placebo. Woo!
6. Helps manage irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Similar to ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
often means pain, cramping, and frequent pooping.
A 2012 animal study showed
that curcumin can slow down gastric emptying. That’s the amount of time it
takes food to leave the stomach and head to the small intestine. Less trips to
the toilet? Yes please. Human studies need to still be performed to verify this
benefit.
7. Helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease
Drinking this golden tea may help your memories last longer.
Research from
animal studies suggests that neurodegenerative conditions can be reduced thanks
to turmeric. Curcumin has been found to reduce cell damage, inflammation, and
amyloid plaques that occur with Alzheimer’s disease. But more research is
needed to confirm these benefits in humans.
8. Helps prevent liver damage and conditions
The liver is one of the largest organs in the body and has many
important metabolic functions. Studies have found curcumin can increase
bile which is needed for digestion. It can also protect liver cells from damage
and keeps them healthy.
9. Helps manage diabetes
Type 2 diabetes affects over 30 million Americans. Turmeric can help
keep you diabetes-free. Studies have found that curcumin has a
therapeutic effect that could counteract diabetes. It can also help combat
insulin resistance, a determinant of diabetes severity.
10. Helps manage lung conditions
Breathe easy with turmeric. It’s anti-inflammatory and
antioxidant properties need to be thanked once more. Curcumin is great for
managing lung conditions.
A 2017 review showed
curcumin may help treat conditions like asthma, pulmonary and cystic fibrosis,
lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
11. Aids in weight loss
If weight loss is your goal, turmeric may help you out.
A 2019 review found
that curcumin played a big part in weight loss. Participants who took between
70 and 2400 milligrams a day saw a reduction in body mass index (BMI), waist
circumference, and weight.
Turmeric tea couldn’t be easier. All you need is hot water
and pure turmeric powder.
You can also use grated, ground, or dried turmeric. To enhance the
bioavailability of curcumin, consider adding black pepper to your tea.
How to brew turmeric
tea
Makes: 2 servings (or
1 big serving)
1. Boil 2 cups water.
2. Add 1–2 teaspoons ground, grated, or powdered
turmeric.
3. Let mixture simmer for about 10 minutes.
4. Strain the tea into a cup.
5.
Let it cool and enjoy!
If this is too basic, you can add your own spin. Here are some
options:
- Add honey for a kiss of sweetness. Honey’s also a great choice due to its
antimicrobial properties.
- Add milk, cream, coconut oil, or ghee. This will give it a richer taste and assists with
absorption. The pinch of fat helps the curcumin dissolve.
- Add a squeeze of lemon or lime. Give the tea some citrus flair and vitamin C.
If you
really want to treat yourself,
How
to brew turmeric tea
Makes: 2 servings (or
1 big serving)
1. Boil 2 cups water.
2. Add 1–2 teaspoons ground, grated, or powdered
turmeric.
3. Let mixture simmer for about 10 minutes.
4. Strain the tea into a cup.
5.
Let it cool and enjoy!
If this is too basic you can add your own spin. Here are some
options:
- Add honey for a kiss of sweetness. Honey’s also a great choice due to its
antimicrobial properties.
- Add milk, cream, coconut oil, or ghee. This will give it a richer taste and assists with
absorption. The pinch of fat helps the curcumin dissolve.
- Add a squeeze of lemon or lime. Give the tea some citrus flair and vitamin C.
- If you really wanna treat yo’ self try a golden latte. This is a great alternative to your morning cup of joe.
How to make a golden
latte
Makes: 2 servings (or
1 big serving)
1. Heat (don’t boil) 2 cups unsweetened milk of
your choice.
2. Add 1–2 teaspoons ground, grated, or powdered
turmeric.
3. Add 1/8–1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
4. Add 1/8–1/4 teaspoon ground ginger.
5. Add honey to taste.
6. Turn down the heat and let the mixture steep
for about 10 minutes.
7. Strain the tea into a cup.
8.
Let it cool and enjoy!
If DIYing isn’t your thing, you can also purchase turmeric tea bags that
you can just steep and drink like any other tea.
- try a golden latte. This is a great alternative to your morning cup.
How to make a golden
latte
Makes: 2 servings (or
1 big serving)
1. Heat (don’t boil) 2 cups unsweetened milk of
your choice.
2. Add 1–2 teaspoons ground, grated, or powdered
turmeric.
3. Add 1/8–1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
4. Add 1/8–1/4 teaspoon ground ginger.
5. Add honey to taste.
6. Turn down the heat and let the mixture steep
for about 10 minutes.
7. Strain the tea into a cup.
8.
Let it cool and enjoy!
If DIYing isn’t your thing, you can also purchase turmeric tea bags that
you can just steep and drink like any other tea.
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