Turmeric is an ingredient that has been used for thousands of years, both as a culinary staple and medicinal spice. In addition to adding a splash of color to cuisines, turmeric is now commonly found in capsule and tablet form as well. It can even be brewed up into a soothing tea, allowing you to take advantage of the many turmeric tea benefits that this delicious spice brings to the table.
So what is tumeric tea good for? And what are all the benefits of turmeric? This article will take a closer look at the potential turmeric tea benefits, plus how to make your own at home using a few simple ingredients.
What Is Turmeric Tea?
Turmeric tea is a beverage made using either turmeric root or turmeric powder. The turmeric is steeped in a cup of hot water, which helps boost the flavor and nutrient profile of the final product. Fresh turmeric tea can also be combined with other ingredients, including pepper, lemon, honey, ginger and more.
Is drinking turmeric good for you? Not only is it an easy and effective way to add turmeric to your diet, but it’s also delicious and jam-packed with health benefits. Here are a few of the top turmeric tea benefits and why you may want to consider adding it to your morning routine.
Top 7 Turmeric Tea Benefits
1. Decreases Inflammation
Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric, and it is thought to be responsible for many of the health benefits of turmeric tea. Curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to help decrease markers of inflammation in several in vitro studies. Not only can this have a huge impact when it comes to decreasing symptoms of autoimmune disorders, but it may also help protect against the development of chronic conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.
2. Relieves Joint Pain
One of the top benefits of turmeric tea is its ability to reduce joint pain and treat arthritis symptoms. In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects, one review published in the Journal of Medicinal Food also showed that taking 100 milligrams of turmeric extract per day was effective at reducing joint pain associated with arthritis. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources out there for how to make turmeric tea for arthritis. It’s often combined with other anti-inflammatory ingredients like ginger, raw honey or cinnamon.
3. Supports Weight Loss
Many people use turmeric tea for weight loss, and for good reason. According to one study out of Milan, administering curcumin to people with metabolic syndrome increased weight loss, decreased belly fat and reduced total body fat by up to 8 percent. Historically, turmeric root tea was also used as an appetite suppressant. It was thought to curb cravings and regulate food intake.
4. Enhances Immune Function
Adding turmeric tea to your daily routine can support healthy immune function to help ward off infections and support better health. In fact, studies show that curcumin can reduce inflammation and prevent oxidative stress to protect against disease. There are plenty of turmeric tea recipes for inflammation and immunity, all of which can help provide a hearty dose of antioxidants to optimize overall health.
5. May Have Cancer-Fighting Properties
Although research is limited on the effects of turmeric tea on cancer in humans, there have been plenty of promising in vitro studies and animal models suggesting that it could possess potent cancer-fighting properties. For example, a paper published in theAAPS Journal actually found that curcumin can modify several cell signaling pathways to kill tumor cells and slow the growth and spread of cancer cells. However, additional research is needed to evaluate the potential turmeric tea benefits for cancer in the general population.
6. Regulates Blood Sugar
Studies show that turmeric tea benefits blood sugar control and could help keep blood sugar levels stable. In fact, one in vitro study conducted by the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at Auburn University showed that curcumin is effective at lowering blood sugar by modifying the metabolism of glucose. This could potentially help protect against diabetes complications long term.
7. Manages Cholesterol Levels
One animal model published in the journal Atherosclerosis found that supplementing rabbits with turmeric extract decreased levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol and inhibited cholesterol oxidation, both of which are major risk factors for heart disease. Similarly, a study out of India also found that taking a capsule containing curcumin twice daily improved endothelial function and was comparable to atorvastatin in terms of effectiveness, which is a type of medication used to treat high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Source: draxe.com