Turmeric is an amazing spice with its unique yellow color and effective medicinal properties. Its active component is curcumin which has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and even anticancer properties.
The National Library of Medicine has affirmed to the fact that turmeric’s main polyphenol – curcumin has over 600 health benefits.
However, while it is a known fact that turmeric is highly beneficial to your health, there are still some facts you need to know about this herb in order to fully benefit from its medicinal properties.
You Should Know That Your Body Doesn’t Absorb Curcumin Easily
While curcumin is highly beneficial to your health, studies have shown that the body absorbs this component slowly leaving just a trace amount of this medicinal component in your bloodstream, this amount may not be sufficient to provide any health benefit.
Here’s How You Can Boost Turmeric’s Bioavailability
You can increase the amount of curcumin derived from turmeric in your body by trying out these useful tips.
Mix With Black Pepper Always
Black pepper is a very powerful turmeric adjuvant. If you take 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder with an equal amount of black pepper you will increase the level of curcumin in your bloodstream. Studies have shown that even a small quantity of black pepper mixed with turmeric can significantly increase the curcumin level in your body.
The active compound in black pepper is piperine and studies have shown that this component is known to increase the bioavailability of curcumin in the human body.
Combine Turmeric To Healthy-Fat
It is a known fact that turmeric is fat-soluble and therefore for it to be completely absorbed by the body it requires fats. By combining healthy fats to your turmeric you will increase the bioavailability of curcumin in your bloodstream.
Use turmeric with coconut, olive or ghee oil, by so doing the curcumin is absorbed directly into your bloodstream by your lymphatic system and partially avoiding the liver so that more curcumin is absorbed by the body and only a small amount is exposed to metabolic enzymes.
The Bioavailability Of Turmeric Is Increased By Heat
When you combine turmeric with healthy fats and heat it according to scientists like Dr. Sukumar, you increase the bioavailability of its active component – curcumin.
So in summary in order to increase the bioavailability of curcumin derived from turmeric in your body you should;
- Mix with black pepper
- Combine with healthy-fat
- Heat up the turmeric
It is also advisable that you make use of the following dosage:
- If using dried root powder use about 1 to 3 grams
- If you use cut roots, then about 1.5 to 3 grams should suffice.
Source: Healthy Food Team
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