Find out why cooking turmeric is far superior to stirring turmeric into a drink if you’re hoping to gain health benefits from the spice.
Turmeric, renowned for its anti-inflammatory compound curcumin, is widely acknowledged as a natural medicinal ingredient. However, simply stirring it in water or blending it in smoothies won't give you the full suite of health benefits the golden spice has to offer. Let's explore why cooking turmeric is essential for unlocking its unique polyphenols and ensuring the body absorbs the maximum amount of curcumin when consumed.
Bioavailability Challenge:
Eating turmeric raw or stirring it into a drink doesn't ensure curcumin absorption. The body struggles to metabolise it efficiently, leading to minimal therapeutic effects and a lot of nutrient waste. To truly benefit, turmeric needs to be prepared correctly using heat, water and healthy fats.
Unlocking Polyphenols through Cooking:
Turmeric's active polyphenols, especially curcuminoids, require heat to break down their cellular structure. This makes them more accessible and readily absorbed by the body, delivering the desired anti-inflammatory effects.
Distinguishing Curcuminoids from Water-Soluble Nutrients:
Unlike water-soluble vitamins like Vitamin C and magnesium, curcuminoids won't give you the health benefits you're hoping for when in a simple liquid form. Blending turmeric into a drink won't deliver the desired effects, as curcuminoids must be heated to be activated and consumed within a fat or oil to carry them into the body. No fat = limited turmeric and curcumin absorption.
Golden Paste Optimal Turmeric Benefits:
Golden Paste, made by boiling High Potency Turmeric Powder with water, healthy fats and freshly cracked black pepper once cooled, is the best way to gain the health benefits of turmeric. Black pepper enhances curcumin bioavailability, and the paste can be taken in small servings or integrated into various dishes, offering a delicious and effective way to unlock turmeric's potential.
Find Dr Doug’s Golden Paste Recipe here.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a simpler option to get the full effects of turmeric, try Dr Doug’s Golden Paste Recipe in our Turmeric Performance Bars & Bites which all contain bioavailable curcumin.
SHOP TURMERIC WHOLE FOODS HERE
Do You Prefer To Drink Turmeric? Try This Recipe
Find Dr Doug’s Golden Tea recipe here.
About Dr Doug English
Australian vet and founder of Turmeric Life, Dr Doug English, integrated Golden Paste from traditional Ayuvedic ethnomedicine with science-backed ingredients to produce anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals. In 2012, he founded the Turmeric User Group on Facebook to collect anecdotal reports on turmeric benefits. After over a decade of recommending Golden Paste, Dr. Doug witnessed reduced pathology in chronic inflammation-related diseases, such as arthritis, which continues to be supported by positive reports from group members.
Have a Question for Dr Doug?
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