Turmeric - superfood?

As you are probably aware turmeric is the new cure all superfood at the root (yes I do like a pun!) of our wellbeing at the moment; but is it really all it’s cracked up to be?

Growing up my mum used it in most foods (mostly curries in my house!). She also sprinkled it on to our cuts to heal them – it’s naturally antibacterial, antiseptic, anti inflammatory and a natural painkiller- I didn’t see a plaster until I was 10!! Ok so it can heal a cut and tastes good in a curry but does that make it a superfood? Well read on:

• Due to these powerful anti inflammatory properties turmeric is also a natural treatment for Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

• Now I know this is a biggie but in rodent studies at Texas University turmeric was proven to slow the spread of breast cancer to the lungs, inhibit the growth of skin cancer and (added to cauliflower -who’d have thought it!) stopped the spread of prostate cancer.

• Ingesting turmeric is also a preventative in IBS and pancreatic and bowel cancer.

• It is helpful for psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

• It is a natural liver detoxifier and in the brain it prevents the build up of Amyloid plaque and therefore protects the brain from Alzheimers.

It seems that turmeric sometimes needs to be added to another ingredient in order to increase it’s effectiveness and release it’s active ingredient. The sulforophane in cauliflowers has been shown to kill cancer stem cells and therefore adding turmeric and a little black pepper, (which has an active ingredient called pipperine) releases the curcumin-the active ingredient in turmeric). Together these 3 ingredients make a superhero team of cancer fighters!

Try the delicious Golden Milk,  Lemon drink, Roasted Spiced Nuts or Baked Cauliflower in the recipes page.

Looks like orange is the new black and yes it’s all that it’s cracked, baked, grated and gobbled up to be and so much more!