A popular spice, turmeric is derived from the curcuma longa plant’s rhizome or root, which is harvested in the fall.
Originally from Southeast Asia, turmeric is a member of the Zingiberaceae, or ginger family, and is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. It has been used as a herbal treatment in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for thousands of years, and it is still in use today.
Turmeric is grown in India, where it accounts for 78 percent of global production. Turmeric teas are available in a variety of flavours and can be purchased in health food stores. A variety of potential health benefits are discussed in this article.
Important things to knew about turmeric tea:
- Turmeric contains curcumin, which is the active component.
- Turmeric’s striking yellow colour is attributed to curcumin.
- Curcumin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating effects.
Definition
Curcumin has a low bioavailability, which indicates that the body has a difficult time gaining access to and absorbing the substance. As a result, turmeric pills, which are guaranteed to contain high amounts of curcumin, are becoming increasingly popular.
Tea made from grated turmeric root or pure powder is widely believed to be one of the most efficient methods to ingest this medicinal spice.
Turmeric does not have a suggested daily intake in terms of quantity. According to the existing studies, the recommended daily consumption is highly dependent on the ailment that it is being used to treat.
The majority of adult studies have found that 400 to 600 milligrammes (mg) of pure turmeric powder three times day, or 1 to 3 grammes (g) of grated or dried turmeric root three times daily, is a safe dose of turmeric. The easiest approach to ensure a pure result is to grate the turmeric yourself.
Health benefits
Many benefits are believed to be associated with drinking turmeric tea. We’ll go over nine of those benefits in greater detail below.
1. It alleviates the symptoms of arthritis.
Curcumin, which acts as an anti-inflammatory, may be effective in alleviating the most noticeable symptoms of arthritis.
According to a 2017 study, 63 percent of 206 American people with self-reported rheumatoid arthritis used non-vitamin supplements to manage their symptoms, with turmeric being the most popular substance used.
2. It improves the function of the immune system
Curcumin, which has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial effects, has been shown to boost immunological function in studies.
Curcumin has also been demonstrated to work as an immune modulator, so aiding in the regulation of immune cell function in the fight against cancers.
3. Contributes to the reduction of cardiovascular complications
Curcumin has been demonstrated in several studies to have significant heart health characteristics, primarily through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities.
According to a 2012 study, eating 4 g of curcumin per day for three days before and five days after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery significantly reduced the incidence of acute myocardial infarction or heart attack by 17 percent compared to the control group.
4. It aids in the prevention and treatment of cancer
Curcumin’s anti-cancer capabilities are among the most well-documented of its therapeutic properties in clinical trials.
Curcumin is believed to lessen the likelihood of cells in the body becoming harmed as a result of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, hence lowering the risk of cell mutations and cancer.
Furthermore, multiple studies have demonstrated that curcumin has anti-tumor characteristics, inhibiting the growth of tumours as well as the spread of malignant cells in laboratory animals.
According to a medical review published in 2014, almost 2,000 articles have been published with the keywords “curcumin” and “cancer.” Current research is looking into the use of curcumin as a cancer treatment in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
5. Aids in the management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
A compound known as curcumin has been used in traditional medicine for many years to treat a variety of digestive disorders.
Several studies have discovered that curcumin may be effective in reducing the pain associated with IBS as well as improving the overall quality of life for those who suffer from the condition.
In rats, a study conducted In 2012 discovered that curcumin reduced the time it took for food to pass from the stomach to the small intestine, a process known as gastric emptying.
6. Prevents and treats Alzheimer’s studies
Curcumin has been demonstrated in studies to help lessen the likelihood of developing a variety of neurological disorders. It is believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to minimise cellular damage, inflammation, and amyloid deposits or plaques that arise as a result of these illnesses.
Curcumin may also be able to slow down or even prevent some of the age-associated protein changes that are connected to neurodegeneration, according to certain studies.
7. It helps to prevent liver damage and gallstones, as well as manage liver conditions
Curcumin has been demonstrated in a number of trials to be protective against liver disease. Curcumin has the potential to assist the liver and gallbladder by increasing the production of the digestive fluid bile while also protecting liver cells from harm caused by bile-associated compounds, among other things.
8. It aids in the prevention and management of diabetes
Turmeric has been used in traditional treatments to treat diabetes for thousands of years. In a number of investigations conducted on both animal and human models, researchers discovered that curcumin supplementation may have anti-diabetic characteristics.
9. Aids in the treatment and management of lung conditions
Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, according to researchers, may be able to assist alleviate the symptoms of chronic or long-term lung problems.
The findings of a 2017 medical review suggested that curcumin, despite the lack of clinical data, may be beneficial in the treatment of asthma, pulmonary and cystic fibrosis, lung cancer or damage, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Preparation
Turmeric tea can be made from either pure turmeric powder or shredded or powdered dried turmeric, depending on your preference. It is said that fermented turmeric preparations, which are usually sold as tea items, contain higher amounts of curcumin that is biologically accessible or absorbable.
The following are the actions to take in order to make turmeric tea:
- boil 4 cups of water
- add 1 to 2 teaspoons of ground, grated, or powdered turmeric
- allow the mixture to simmer for approximately 10 minutes
- strain the tea into a container and allow it to cool for 5 minutes
Many individuals add additional ingredients to their turmeric tea in order to improve the taste or aid in the absorption of the turmeric. The following are examples of common additives:
- Honey, to sweeten the tea and give the mixture more anti-microbial properties.
- Whole milk, cream, almond milk, coconut milk, or 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or ghee (unclarified butter) to help with absorption, as curcumin requires healthy fats to dissolve properly.
- Black pepper, which contains piperine, a chemical known to help promote curcumin absorption, and that can add a spice flavor to the tea.
- Lemon, lime, or ginger, to enhance antioxidant and antimicrobial properties in the mixture and improve taste.
