Turmeric is a plant native to South Asia and it contains more than 300 antioxidants. Curcumin is an antioxidant found in turmeric and it’s the most recognized and most studied. There are many health benefits to be had from turmeric and you can reap the rewards by juicing with it. It’s one of the most effective immunity-boosting superfoods that you should be juicing.
Juicing with Turmeric
It’s very easy to add turmeric to your juice or blended drinks. Although it may be tempting to drag out the curry powder and dump it into your blender, the spice actually does not contain enough curcumin to be beneficial to your diet.
Juicing with turmeric root would be a better option for maximizing the health benefits of the spice. Because turmeric root tends to rot and mold quickly, you should use it within a few days. If you can’t find fresh turmeric root at your local health food store, the next best option is turmeric powder. Pure turmeric powder contains a very high concentration of curcumin and you can also make it yourself from boiling the root and grinding it down until it makes a fine powder.
Fresh turmeric root should be refrigerated and powder should be stored in an airtight container in a dark, cool location. Many people take turmeric supplements, but it’s much better to consume in its fresh state. Consider one of our fruit and vegetable juicers for juicing with turmeric such as our Ceado ES700.
What Does Turmeric Taste Like?
Turmeric is mildly fragrant and has a peppery, bitter, slight “heat” flavor. Besides being the ingredient that gives yellow mustard its rich hue, turmeric is also used in many Indian and Asian dishes for both flavor and color. Not only is the spice used for cooking purposes, but it has also been used for its health benefits for thousands of years.
Heartburn and Upset Stomach Relief with Turmeric
It has been claimed that turmeric effectively alleviates heartburn and upset stomach. According to PubMed.gov, a randomized, double-blind study was conducted, using 116 adults who had acid reflux, flatulent dyspepsia or atonic dyspepsia. 41 people were put in a placebo group and the remaining 75 participated in the control group. Each person received two placebo capsules or study drugs, 4 times per day for a week. Each person was then assessed. Approximately 87% of patients receiving turmeric responded to treatment, meaning the spice was effective at relieving heartburn and stomach upset.
Heart Attack Protection with Turmeric
According to the University of Maryland, early studies have suggested that turmeric may help in preventing atherosclerosis. In animal research studies, a turmeric extract can help lower cholesterol and keep LDL or “bad” cholesterol from building up in the arteries and blood vessels. Turmeric prevents platelets from building up and clumping together and could prevent blood clots from accumulating along artery walls, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease and heart attack.
Turmeric and Diabetes
According to the Diabetes Research and Education Foundation, turmeric can be quite beneficial for diabetes. Modern science has proven turmeric to be a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. Even though there have been no long-term studies done involving diabetics and turmeric, the spice does reduce many of the inflammatory signals known to be overactive in those with diabetes and it also improves the action of insulin-response pathways in diabetics.
Brain Benefits of Turmeric
Statistical information from the World Health Organization, shows 5% of men and 6% of women older than 60 years of age are currently suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Worldwide, there have been more than 1,000 studies using both human and animal subjects involving curcumin and how it affects various different diseases. It was found that curcumin inhibits the inflammatory process in the brains of people suffering from AD. Based on the various findings involving curcumin and the brain, it is hoped the spice will lead to a promising treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
Joint Pain Relief with Turmeric
There have been claims made that curcumin can alleviate painful joint inflammation due to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It’s even been said the spice can aid in treating bursitis. Curcumin is a key element in turmeric and it’s been long used in Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine, for treating inflammatory conditions and other ailments. According to several recent studies, turmeric and curcumin both contain anti-inflammatory properties and can modify the response of the immune system.
The Arthritis Foundation supports curcumin use for the reduction of joint pain and swelling in people who have active rheumatoid arthritis. The foundation recommends a dose of one 400-600 mg capsule taken 3 times per day or 0.5 to 1 g of powdered curcumin root taken up to 3 times per day, and for rheumatoid arthritis people can take up to 500 mg twice per day.
Turmeric’s Cancer Benefits
According to the American Cancer Society, several animal and laboratory studies have identified curcumin, an antioxidant found in turmeric, as demonstrating some anti-cancer properties. However, human research is needed in order to uncover curcumin’s role in treating and preventing cancer. There have been several types of cancer cells that have been inhibited in lab tests using curcumin and it also slowed the growth and spread of some cancer during animal research studies.
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease that affects a person’s lungs and digestive tract. The basic problem with cystic fibrosis is that people’s bodies have an error between the balance of salt and water exchange in cells. The imbalance causes the body to produce thick, sticky mucus plugs that clog the lungs and pancreas.
In studies, curcumin has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, and antimicrobial properties. Additionally, there have been several animal and human studies that support the use of curcumin in high doses being extremely safe. For people with CF, curcumin has the capacity to at least partially correct a portion of CF symptoms and elicits a favorable response.
After reviewing all the information about the health benefits of turmeric, it’s no wonder why the spice is a popular choice for juicing. Before adding turmeric to your daily diet, it’s very important to speak with your doctor to ensure it’s safe to do.
Learn more about a healthy diet by reading our Juice Tips, and visit our Juicernet blog for the latest news and trends!
