Why Turmeric is the Spice of the Moment

If you love curry, you probably know all about turmeric. You know it’s delicious and that it practically makes the dish. It is a spice known for its zest and addition to many popular dishes, but what you don’t know is that it’s actually beneficial to your health to consume turmeric. While it’s always been a favorite Eastern spice, it’s becoming increasingly popular in the West thanks to recent research that shows just how good this zesty spice is for your health. According to the Food Network, turmeric is the spice of the moment.

Why Turmeric is Good for You

It’s pretty simple; recent studies have proved that this spice offers a number of health benefits to those who consume it regularly. It’s an anti-inflammatory. According to experts at the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine, the fact that turmeric helps reduce chronic inflammation, it might just help to alleviate a number of diseases such as arthritis and many autoimmune diseases. In addition to this, it’s also an antioxidant, which means that it helps to relieve stress levels in the body.

What Studies Have Found

While it’s been shown in recent studies that turmeric is good for you to consume based on its ability to reduce inflammation and possibly lessen your risk of developing certain health issues, it should be noted that these studies use much more than the standard daily dose of the spice. Curcumin extract, an ingredient found in turmeric, is studied in doses equivalent to approximately 8 to 10 grams of turmeric, far more than a person can actually consume in one day. The recommended serving size is approximately one gram of turmeric. Fortunately, there are still some health benefits to eating a gram a day of turmeric.

If you’re planning on eating turmeric for its increased health benefits, consider mixing it with other ingredients to maximize the health benefits. Because it is fat-soluble, it’s absorbed better by the body when it’s eaten with other sources of fat. Additionally, using black pepper in your dishes can help your body absorb the curcumin extract found in turmeric by as much as 2,000 percent.

Want to eat more turmeric? Try some of these delicious recipes that use turmeric.

Arugula and Squash Salad