om living
H
ealth trends come and go, and it can be hard to know
if there is a miracle out there that will cure us of our
illnesses or if there is a food out there that really will
make our skin glow as bright as the sun.
The new trend that seems to have taken us by storm
in recent times (meaning you cannot go into a cool, hipster coffee
shop without seeing it on the blackboard menu) is turmeric.
The delicious golden milk (aka turmeric lattes) is a health blogger’s
favourite and, taste-wise, it is easy to see why.
However, with any new trend there always seems to be a long list of
health benefits to go alongside it. So let’s discover a little more about
turmeric and see if the health community are on to something good
or have just rediscovered a tasty, Instagram-worthy latte.Gold spice
Turmeric is a gold coloured spice that has been around for hundreds
of years, derived from the plant Curcuma longa, a root that originates
from South Asia. It is most commonly used as a spice in many
households around the world, however, in Asia it has also been used
as yellow dye for textiles and in ancient medicine, with beliefs that it
can help cure or reduce the risk of several diseases such as cancer,
Alzheimer’s disease and arthritis.
Turmeric is thought to be packed with many beneficial compounds
but the most interesting is the antioxidant chemical called curcumin.
Curcumin is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial
properties (it also gives turmeric its bright golden colour) and this
is what has gained attention in the media for its potential health
benefits. Some studies have suggested that curcumin can help
improve the memory of people with Alzheimer’s disease and relieve
stress and pain in sufferers of arthritis by reducing swelling in joints
due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
However, these studies are mainly researching curcumin, not
necessarily turmeric. They are also usually looking at a high
percentage of curcumin in a controlled supplement form. This brings
doubt to the health claims made on turmeric which can be bought
from local supermarkets or health stores. In fact, the curcumin
content in turmeric available in supermarkets varies greatly with someSPICY TURMERIC LATTE
INGREDIENTS:- 1 tablespoon of ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon of agave syrup
- 150ml of your non-dairy milk
- ½ teaspoon of nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
METHOD:- Add all ingredients into a pan and whisk
over a medium heat - Continue to stir ingredients over a medium
heat until evenly mixed and warm - Add to your favourite mug, dust with extra
cinnamon and enjoy!
bottles only containing around 3%. Curcumin is also poorly absorbed
by the body with some studies showing an absorption of only around
25% so it would be difficult to get a substantial amount from adding a
sprinkle to your curry or latte.Turmeric extract
Turmeric extract on the other hand can contain as much as 95%
curcumin which is usually what is tested in scientific, test tube studies.
However, these should only be taken under medical supervision
and there is still much more research needed before definitive
recommendations are available to use this spice as a possible
therapeutic solution.
There is no denying turmeric is a great spice for flavouring curries
and adding a little extra kick to your favourite dish so don’t discard it
just yet.
Like any food, if you enjoy it then include it in your diet and even
opt for a turmeric latte now and again.
However, if turmeric is not for you then don’t feel it is something
you need to add to your diet. Remember you cannot rely on one
nutrient to solve health problems anyway.
Curcumin does have some potential when taken in supplement form
under medical supervision, but turmeric is not the new miracle spice,
not yet anyway.
Alas, the health community may not be on to a cancer-curing
spice just yet but the ‘golden milk’ is certainly something worth trying
in these autumnal months. The recipe below can be used with your
favourite milk so can easily be made vegan-friendly.Note: It is important to remember that everybody is different
and what has worked in one person may not actually work
for you. Always speak to a medical professional, a registered
dietitian or nutritionist before adding large amounts of
something like turmeric into your diet. Please do not
consider IV treatment for ingredients such as turmeric.Find out more about nutrition with Sarah Jackson at: nutribloom.co.ukWorldmags.net