As mentioned above, turmeric is best absorbed when taken with food. Fatty foods, such as eggs and vegetable oils (like coconut or olive oil), are the best to combine with turmeric. This is because they contain a compound called lecithin. Lecithin helps the body absorb turmeric.
Short cooking times (under 15 minutes) do not destroy turmeric, but will in fact increase the bioavailability of curcumin. So heating turmeric in a golden latte or adding it to your cooking, such as in curry or scrambled eggs, will maximise its absorption by the body.
Turmeric is also an excellent ally for those who want to lose weight: it stimulates the metabolism and reduces the assimilation of sugars. The recommended daily dose for turmeric powder is about 3 grams per day, which is equivalent to a teaspoon.
Haldi is also consumed uncooked with milk and warm water or tea, to help combat flu or cold. It helps enhance the immunity and eliminate cold, cough and chest congestion if any. While the powdered form has its benefits, the raw roots of turmeric are quite helpful too.
Because turmeric is a plant in the ginger family, it also looks and tastes similar to ginger. So, just treat fresh, raw turmeric like you would with a knob of fresh ginger—just peel it, then slice, dice, or grate it.
People who should not take turmeric include those with gallbladder problems, bleeding disorders, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), infertility, iron deficiency, liver disease, hormone-sensitive conditions, and arrhythmia. Pregnant women and those who are going to undergo surgery should not use turmeric.
Another way to increase the bioavailability of turmeric is to consume this spice with a source of fat (such as avocado, nut butters and nuts, fish, etc.), and therefore curcumin will directly be absorbed into the blood stream and bypass the liver.
Mix one part powdered turmeric to three parts raw honey. When you feel a cold coming on, eat a teaspoon of the mixture every two hours to boost immunity and lower inflammation.
Health Benefits
Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin (the main antioxidant), which is more easily absorbed by the body when using fresh turmeric. Good quality powdered turmeric also contains curcumin; however, the potency is lower in comparison.
1) Taking lukewarm water mixed with turmeric powder regularly in the morning makes our mind sharp and increase the activeness. 2) Taking turmeric mixed water daily removes toxins from the blood and keeps blood-related health issues in check. It also prevents from a heart attack.
Turmeric can be a great part of your diet and doesn't have significant side effects. But in high doses (more than 8 grams or about ½ tablespoon), the curcumin can cause upset stomach, dizziness, and diarrhea.
“Like other colorful plant-based foods, turmeric is rich in phytonutrients that may protect the body by neutralizing free radicals (pollution, sunlight) and shielding the cells from damage.” Diets rich in plant-based foods are associated with prevention of medical conditions such as cancer and heart disease.
In fact, research shows that piperine can increase the bioavailability of curcumin by 2000%. It is not necessary to take turmeric with black pepper but it can help if you are taking turmeric for health reasons.
However, you should usually expect to start noticing improvements in around 4-8 weeks when taken daily. Our raw turmeric shots are the ideal choice when it comes to turmeric supplements.
With turmeric powder, you are going to have to consume more of it in order to get the same amount of curcumin. This means that if you are looking for purely health benefits, it is best to simply take the supplements. They are far more concentrated, and get you the curcumin you need without the bloat.
In a nutshell, turmeric powder and raw turmeric root are two forms of the same ingredient. Turmeric Root, also known as Kacchi Haldi is the raw form of turmeric powder. It has a higher concentration of curcumin, which makes it more potent as far as the health benefits as concerned.
Fresh turmeric root is easy to store. You can safely store it in a brown paper bag in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in your freezer for up to six months. When it's close to expiration, you can dehydrate the fresh turmeric to make a dried turmeric powder.
1. Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids , which are abundant in fatty fish such as salmon or tuna, are among the most potent anti-inflammatory supplements. These supplements may help fight several types of inflammation, including vascular inflammation.
According to a study conducted at the Tufts University, curcumin can actually suppress fat tissue growth. Another way in which turmeric helps in losing weight by regulating sugar levels and further preventing insulin resistance. This results in excess fat that is not retained in the body.
So, in order to get the anti-inflammatory effect, one needs to get 500 to 1,000 milligrams of curcumin per day. One fresh teaspoon of ground turmeric has around 200 milligrams of curcumin. The quantity varies a bit depending on the origin and source.
Combining with raw honey packs a power boost of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Heat it up to help activate it. When cooking, and Turmeric is heated up, it becomes more bioavailable.
Spices: I like to add a pinch of cinnamon and black pepper (to activate the compound curcumin in turmeric). You could also add ground ginger or cardamom for an extra spiced taste.