You may have heard about turmeric and its medicinal powers, but you’re puzzled by the fact that it needs “activating” to be fully absorbed by your body.
In this guide, we unlock the secrets of turmeric activation, and we explore some of the most astounding stats and facts about the golden spice.
How to Make Turmeric More Absorbable
There are several ways to make turmeric more easily absorbable by the body. A little heating increases the bioavailability of turmeric’s active ingredients, piperine found in black pepper enhances its absorption into the blood, and fats make turmeric dissolve more quickly.
Important Facts and Stats About Turmeric
Like many spices, turmeric has a plethora of pharmacological properties. Now that you know how to unlock its powers let’s look into the many ways turmeric can be beneficial to your health.
Turmeric is regarded as one of the most beneficial food supplement ingredients.
(NCBI)
Numerous high-quality research hint that it has major benefits for the body and brain and is suspected to be the most effective supplement ingredient. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and it’s also known for managing anxiety, arthritis, metabolic syndrome, and high cholesterol.
Curcumin is the main active agent in turmeric.
(Healthline)
Curcumin is contained in a compound called curcuminoids as the most important of the constituents. It represents 2-8% of turmeric, although not the same amount is found in all varieties. Curcumin is responsible for turmeric’s distinctive flavor and yellow color.
Turmeric has been used for thousands of years as traditional medicine.
(Pubmed) (Ayurveda College)
Ayurveda is the ancient alternative system of medicine originating in Asia more than 3,000 years ago. It was used by healers as a remedy for countless health issues, including colds, wounds, bites, stings, sprains, as well as gastrointestinal illnesses, and liver disorders.
Black pepper improves the absorption of curcumin by 2,000%.
(COYO)
This is thanks to piperine, a compound found in black pepper. When you add black pepper to curcumin, it prevents it from being metabolized quickly, thus enhancing its absorption into the bloodstream.
Curcumin is fat-soluble.
(FAO) (Faithful to Nature)
Curcumin is highly insoluble in water but highly soluble in fat. This means the fats bind to it and, just like black pepper, protect curcumin from being absorbed prematurely. You can prepare curcumin with healthy fats, such as avocado or coconut oil, to make the most out of its properties.
Heating turmeric will activate its best effects.
(NCBI)
Studies have proven that treating turmeric with heat makes it more soluble in water and increases its bioavailability without diminishing its health properties.
Golden latte is one of the most popular recipes using turmeric.
(McCormick)
To enhance turmeric’s absorption, prepare the latte with coconut milk and add some vanilla extract, honey for sweetness, and a bit of pumpkin pie spice for a classic fall flavor.
Turmeric can be used to combat cancer.
(Healthline) (NCBI)
Although more research is needed on this topic, scientists are hopeful as curcumin has demonstrated some anticancer abilities by slowing the growth or even eliminating cancer cells.
Turmeric ingredients interfere with certain medications.
(St. Luke’s Hospital)
Despite turmeric’s numerous health benefits, a word of caution—turmeric active ingredients may interfere with blood-thinning drugs, drugs that work for stomach acid, and drugs that lower blood sugar, making them stronger with unpleasant effects.
Conclusion
Due to its fast elimination from the body, turmeric is poorly absorbed when taken orally. Fortunately, you can bypass this by using several techniques, such as heating curcumin or mixing it with black pepper and good fats.
Now that you’ve learned how to make turmeric more absorbable, you can start reaping all the benefits this golden spice has to offer.
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