Brewing a hot cup of tea may be an afternoon ritual. You might want to consider turmeric tea because it has health-boosting properties.
This golden spice has been used for thousands of years in my birth country of India. They have one of the lowest rates of Alzheimer’s disease.
Not surprisingly, studies have shown it may help prevent and treat neuro-degenerative conditions by reducing inflammation, cellular damage, and plaque deposits. And if you have arthritis, you may find relief with turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties. A 2017 study found 63% of participants used it effectively to manage symptoms.
Also, turmeric’s active ingredient is curcumin and this may help improve your immune function because it has antioxidant, antiviral and antibacterial properties.
There’s been many studies looking at curcumin and cancer. Research has shown it has anti-tumor properties and may limit the growth and spread of cancer cells. But we need more studies, especially double-blind placebo-controlled trials as they are the gold-standard of medical research.
Turmeric tea is pretty easy to make. You can use ground, grated or powdered turmeric. Boil 4 cups of water before adding one teaspoon of turmeric. Turn the heat down and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the tea and then cool for 5 minutes. Before you make a cup of tea, I’d like to share my prescriptions:
Partha’s RX
1. Look for turmeric products that are standardized to 95 percent curcuminoids. If buying turmeric root, you can find it in the produce section – be sure to peel off the skin before grating.
2. There is no specific recommended daily intake for turmeric. But 400 to 600 milligrams of pure turmeric powder three times a day, or 1 to 3 grams of grated or dried turmeric root a day is generally recommended for adults.
3. Turmeric is generally safe when used appropriately but can have side effects if taken in large doses. You could experience acid reflux, low blood sugar, indigestion, diarrhea or nausea.
4. Add flavor to your turmeric tea. Ginger, honey, lemon, or lime can be used to sweeten and improve the taste.
To help your body absorb curcumin, try adding a healthy fat like whole milk, almond milk, or coconut milk. You can also spice up your tea with black pepper which will promote absorption as well.
