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The right spices can make any meal tastier, healthier, and more flavorful, as long as you know what to add.
With all the different spices out there, it’s hard to know which ones will make the best additions to your spice rack.
We’ve heard a lot about how black pepper goes with almost anything and how cayenne pepper can boost metabolism to help you lose weight.
But, according to most nutritionists, many of us still aren’t using one of the healthiest spices out there: turmeric.
This unique spice is a crucial component in different cheeses, mustard, and curry—it’s what adds that warm, golden color to different foods.
So, what makes turmeric so special? Well, according to a study published The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine, turmeric works just as well as ibuprofen at relieving pain.
It has also been shown to have incredible anti-inflammatory properties, which makes turmeric great for when you have joint or muscle pain after and intense workout at the gym.
These anti-inflammatory properties also make turmeric fantastic for soothing irritating skin conditions, like eczema.
If you’ve been having stomach issues lately, you might want to try adding this slightly bitter-flavored root to your diet.
According to WebMD, the curcumin in turmeric may help relieve the symptoms associated with GI tract problems, like IBS.
What’s more, turmeric is a natural antibacterial packed with antioxidants that help it support the liver, the body’s natural detox system.
Although research is still in its early stages, evidence published in Liver International supports the theory that turmeric my actually help reduce damage to the liver caused by alcohol and other environmental factors.
After learning all these incredible things that turmeric can do, it’s no wonder why nutritionists recommend adding more of it to any diet.
So, when should you use turmeric? According to Self.com, one great rule of thumb to remember is to use turmeric whenever a recipe calls for pepper. Pepper actually contains a compound called piperine, which promotes the healthy absorption of turmeric into the bloodstream.
Do you plan on adding more tumeric to your diet? Tell us in the comments!
Photo Copyright © 2011 Cherrie Mio Rhodes/Flickr
