Turmeric is an ingredient that has been used for thousands of years, both as a culinary base and for medicinal purposes. Turmeric is now available in capsule and tablet form. It can also be consumed as tea, allowing you to take advantage of the numerous benefits that turmeric offers, such as boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation.
There is a reason why turmeric tea is a popular beverage throughout Asia and is known by some as liquid gold. The four simple ingredients in this turmeric tea recipe work to improve health, whether it’s reducing inflammation, aiding digestion, improving heart health, or strengthening bones.
Incorporating our turmeric tea recipe into your daily health regimen can help restore the body and promote well-being.
So, what is turmeric tea good for, and what are all the benefits of turmeric? Let’s take a closer look at the potential benefits of turmeric tea, plus how to make it at home using a few simple ingredients.
What is turmeric tea?
Turmeric tea is a beverage made from either turmeric root or turmeric powder. The turmeric is steeped in a cup of hot water, which helps enhance the flavor and nutritional profile of the final product.
Fresh turmeric tea can also be combined with other ingredients, including pepper, lemon, honey, ginger, or ginger water, among others, and can be made with green tea for an additional antioxidant boost.
Why should you make turmeric tea? There is a simple one-word answer: inflammation. It is true that inflammation is at the root of most diseases and is an issue that modern medicine often does not focus on.
Curcumin, found in this popular spice, is what makes it a functional food and contributes to the numerous benefits of turmeric.
Not only does it help combat inflammation that can lead to chronic pain, arthritis, degenerative diseases, and digestive disorders, but it also improves skin health and aids in detoxifying the body.
Coconut milk is full of natural fatty acids that help reduce inflammation and improve heart health, and it can even assist with weight loss.
To add a bit of sweetness to this tea, we add honey, which is one of the best natural sweeteners, packed with vitamins and minerals, and can even promote digestive health.
These ingredients create a healthy and satisfying turmeric tea that can help keep inflammation at bay while pleasing your taste buds.
Benefits of turmeric tea
Not only is it an easy, inexpensive, and effective way to add turmeric to your diet, but it is also delicious and full of health benefits.
Here are some of the most important benefits of turmeric tea:
1. Reduces inflammation
Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric and is responsible for many of the health benefits of turmeric tea. Curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to help reduce inflammation markers in several in vitro studies.
This can have a huge impact when it comes to reducing symptoms of autoimmune disorders, and it can also help protect against the development of chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
2. Alleviates joint pain
One of the top benefits of turmeric tea is its ability to reduce joint pain and treat symptoms of arthritis. Along with its anti-inflammatory effects, a review published in the Journal of Medicinal Food showed that taking 100 milligrams of turmeric extract daily was effective in reducing joint pain associated with arthritis.
Fortunately, there are plenty of resources for making turmeric tea for arthritis. It is often combined with other anti-inflammatory ingredients such as ginger, raw honey, or cinnamon.
3. Supports weight loss
Like green tea and ginger tea, many people use turmeric tea for weight loss, and for good reason. According to a study in Milan, administering curcumin to individuals with metabolic syndrome increased weight loss, reduced abdominal fat, and decreased total body fat by up to 8%.
Historically, turmeric root tea has also been used as an appetite suppressant. It was believed to reduce cravings and regulate food intake.
4. Improves immune function
Incorporating turmeric tea into your daily routine can support the healthy functioning of the immune system to help prevent infections and promote better health. In fact, studies show that curcumin can reduce inflammation and prevent oxidative stress and free radical damage to protect against diseases.
There are many turmeric tea recipes for inflammation and immunity, all of which can help provide a consistent dose of antioxidants to optimize overall health by reducing free radical damage.
5. May have anti-cancer properties
Although research is limited regarding the effects of turmeric tea on cancer in humans, there have been many promising in vitro studies and animal models suggesting it may have strong anti-cancer properties.
For example, a paper published in the AAPS Journal found that curcumin can alter several cellular signaling pathways to kill tumor cells and slow the growth and spread of cancer cells. However, further research is needed to assess the potential benefits of turmeric tea for cancer in the general population.
6. Regulates blood sugar
Studies show that turmeric tea helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.
An in vitro study conducted by the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at Auburn University showed that curcumin is effective in lowering blood sugar by altering glucose metabolism. This could help protect against long-term complications of diabetes.
7. Manages cholesterol levels
An animal study published in the journal Atherosclerosis found that supplementing rabbits with turmeric extract reduced LDL cholesterol levels and inhibited cholesterol oxidation, both of which are major risk factors for heart disease.
Similarly, a study in India suggests that taking a capsule containing curcumin twice a day improves endothelial function and is comparable to atorvastatin in terms of effectiveness, which is a type of medication used to treat high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
How to prepare turmeric tea
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup water
1 tablespoon honey (or liquid stevia)
a pinch of black pepper
1 tablespoon turmeric (powder or grated root)
PREPARATION METHOD:
Pour the coconut milk and water into a pot and heat for 2 minutes.
Add the black pepper and turmeric powder and let it simmer for another 2 minutes.
Sweeten with raw honey.
Stir and pour into glasses.
