4 Reasons to Start Eating Turmeric ASAP

Turmeric is a popular superfood that is known for its immune-boosting powers. But what exactly is this vivacious yellow powder? Turmeric, a plant that naturally grows in Asia and Central America, is used for a plethora of reasons. The bright yellow version we see on our shelves and spice racks is the ground root of the plant.

According to Medical News Today, the ingredient in turmeric that makes it so coveted is curcumin, which has strong biological properties. In traditional Indian medicine, turmeric is used for a variety of ailments, such as chronic pain and inflammation. Only in recent times has this plant reached the study labs of Western medicine, where it is being looked at for its pain-relieving and healing properties.

Turmeric is considered a Free Food on the South Beach Diet plan, meaning you can enjoy it in unlimited quantities. We’ve come up with a list of reasons why (and how) you should incorporate turmeric into your low-carb diet!

Here are four amazing health benefits of turmeric:

1. Anti-inflammatory

The aforementioned anti-inflammatory properties are a serious benefit of this ground root. In fact, according to Medical News Today, the Arthritis Foundation credits turmeric with the ability to reduce joint pain for arthritic sufferers. The foundation cites many studies with these outcomes. For example, in one study conducted with 206 American adults, 63 percent of them found turmeric as the number one agent of managing their symptoms. Fresh turmeric can be hard to come by. However, if you get your hands on this precious root, you can easily add a small piece to your fresh juices and smoothies. Just keep in mind that a little goes a long way with this pungent ingredient. Try fresh turmeric in these Chicken Tikka Skewers! >

2. Heart Health

Turmeric has been shown to decrease the risk of cardiovascular problems, says Medical News Today. This benefit works in-tandem with the previous item. Multiple studies have shown the benefits of curcumin’s natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, studies have shown that turmeric helped decrease the number of heart attacks experienced by post-surgery bypass patients. Sprinkle turmeric into your soup and stir fry for its golden heart benefits and beautiful color.

3. Cancer Prevention

Most notably, this vibrant plant has been clinically proven to have anti-cancer benefits. According to Medical News Today, curcumin is believed to reduce the risk of cell mutations and lower the risk of cells becoming damaged in the body. Even more so, it has been linked to anti-tumor properties and halting the spread of cancerous cells. To reap these benefits, try some turmeric tea or golden milk! It’s brewed with grated turmeric root or a pure powdered form. Check out this delicious One-Minute “Golden Milk” Yogurt Recipe! >

4. Healthy Digestion

Again, because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, this powerhouse plant also aids in digestion! Helping with gut inflammation and irritable bowel syndrome, studies have found that curcumin can decrease the amount of time it takes for the stomach to healthily cleanse itself. So, even if you eat it in spicy curry, a well-known recipe featuring the yellow powder, it should still digest easily considering its helpful digestive agent. Try our recipe for Coconut Curry Chicken! >

Whether you incorporate it into your smoothies, fresh juices, salad dressing, soup, daily tea intake or meals, turmeric is definitely something you want to start adding to your low carb menu.