Yep, that’s right I think even kids should be consuming turmeric too.
In other parts of the world spices like ginger, turmeric, capsaicin, chili peppers, and many others are a part of everyday family cuisine.
Turmeric has been used in India for thousands of years as a culinary spice as well as a trusted medicinal herb.
However, the body is only able to fully absorb curcumin when paired with black pepper. Black pepper contains piperine, a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2,000%. Therefore it’s important to ensure any supplement you take contains black pepper, or you’re adding it when cooking with turmeric.
PRIMARY BENEFITS OF TURMERIC
So what are the benefits of consuming turmeric on a daily basis?
I’m going to list the primary benefits below, but the main reason I have us consume it daily as a family is to ward off cancer, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses.
A little further down the page, I’m sharing the three top and best ways for us to consume it and get it into our kids because solo it isn’t exactly the most pleasant-tasting especially if once isn’t used to it.
In addition to helping the immune system function at its optimum level, healing and warding off ailments, here are other major benefits experienced when turmeric is consumed on a daily basis:
- Reduce and repair joint inflammation
- Bioactive curcumin fights inflammation
- Antioxidants reduce and neutralize free radicals
- Improves memory, attention, and focus
- Improvements in heart health
- Reduces inflammation and oxidation overall
- Reduces cancer growth and development
- Assisting in preventing aging of the brain and memory
- Treating anxiety and balancing depressive moods
- Reducing oxidative stress and bringing it to normal levels
- Reduce aging and fight age-related chronic disease
- Eases gastrointestinal discomforts
Please note while the risk of side effects is low and drug interactions are unlikely, stop taking turmeric if you notice ill effects. Turmeric is beneficial but it may cause bloating, and there is a theoretical concern that it may interact with blood-clotting medications. Also, avoid it if you have gallbladder disease. (turmeric and blood thinners)
It’s important to always talk to your doctor before starting a dietary supplement since there is always a risk they could potentially interact with other individualized medications you are taking.
ACTUAL DELICIOUS WAYS TO CONSUME this spice
So turmeric isn’t the most delicious tasting herb by itself, and the flavor is very strong so a little goes a long way. Which makes it a challenge to get the quantity we need into our bodies to make a difference.
But I have found three ways to not only get enough of it into ourselves but also into our children. Here are my TOP THREE ways to consume turmeric.
sUPPLEMENTS
It’s the easiest way for us adults to consume it in quantity is in supplement form. I take it to help me reduce inflammation in my joints along with liquid collagen which I love and I’ve already noticed a huge difference – more on that here. My husband Nathan takes it to combat and keep away leukemia blast cells, and overall general wellness for inflammation.
Here are the supplements we’ve been taking from Amazon, they are packed full of turmeric goodness, have black pepper and curcumin. Check them out there.
POWDER (THAT ACTUALLY TASTES GOOD – WHAT?!)
Ok, I’m going to be honest here. At first, I didn’t think this powder could possibly taste good, there was no way I was going to get my children (or husband) to take it, and it was likely all going to get consumed by me – I actually enjoy the spicy flavor.
Let me tell you how WRONG I was!
This Phytogold powder is amazing. It tastes good in just about everything I’ve put it in. I’ve made Golden Latte’s for the kids with it, I’ve sprinkled it on yogurt, put it in water, in just milk (sun milk), and it even goes well mixed with the other two Phytonutrient blends (greens and reds).
AND… it’s NOT sweetened with stevia. I know some of you like stevia, and that’s great, however, myself, my husband, and especially the kiddos just do not like it.
Take a look at the Phytogolds here AND there’s a special no-strings-attached (i mean it) code attached to this link to get $10 off!
I’ve put all three of them in the same link so you can take a look at all three. If you need a surefire way to get additional or any at all phytonutrients into your kids or self, this is definitely the way to go.
The powder isn’t bitter, it’s not overly sweet, it’s not gritty (amazing), and when you blend all three together, it tastes like a nice summer drink; watch me make one here.
JUICING THE ROOT
Juicing turmeric root is rather simple, but it can be rather messy.
They phytonutrient of curcumin in turmeric is what gives it the bright, bold, and somewhat permanent color. With that you have to juice and wash a certain way or you’ll end up staining quite a bit.
The root can be juiced along with ginger, oranges, or even Granny Smith Apples to make it more palatable. If you enjoy that strong taste of turmeric, you can certainly juice enough to make a turmeric shot.
I suggest adding in an an apple or two just to get as much out of the turmeric root as you can.
When choosing turmeric to juice make sure it’s quite firm and there are no moldy or very dark spots on it. Try to get as close to organic, if not solely organic as you can.
Now, when juicing turmeric there’s truly no getting around staining your juicer a little. Especially if it’s part plastic. The trick to washing and scrubbing things up though is only using cold water!
And also, use gloves!
Otherwise, you’re hands will end up looking like mine…
It took I think three different washes under cold water with a crap ton of soap to finally get it off!
Turmeric lattes
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite things to make and share with the kids, especially at night.
A turmeric latte.
All you need is some warm milk, turmeric, sweetener, and a favorite mug.
Head here for a super simple recipe for turmeric lattes everyone can enjoy.
You can use plain old turmeric powder, but again, my favorite to use is the Phytogolds powder from Modere. It’s lightly sweetened, already contains just the right amount of black pepper for absorption, and it’s just good.
I’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR EXPERIENCE
Go ahead and reply here in the comments, and if you have any further questions on any of the turmeric uses or products mentioned above, just shoot me a message!
Many Blessings,
