5 Reasons You Need Turmeric in Your Diet

Posted by Healthy Bitch Daily on Jan 21, 2013

Turmeric, ladies, is the new kale.

Even if you’ve never heard of this superstar spice, you’ve probably already tasted it; it’s one of the many components of curry, and it's also used as a natural coloring for ballpark mustard.

A sprinkle of this peppery, warm, yellow-hued spice will do more than brighten your meals: It may also make you look younger, skinnier,
happier and hornier—yes, it's been linked to ramping up the libido.

And if you need more convincing, here are 5 reasons you should add turmeric to your diet:

1. Anti-cancer. Over 1,000 separate studies have found turmeric to have potent anti-cancer properties, from preventing the C-word altogether to shrinking tumors once they've reared their ugly heads. And these results weren’t found with just one cancer, but with a whopping 22 of them, including breast, colon and lung. There is no other natural substance that has been found to possess this degree of anti-cancer power. The American
Cancer Society reports that 1 in 3 American women will get cancer in their lifetime, and 1 in 5 will die of it. So, sprinkle it on, sweetcheeks.

2. Highly anti-inflammatory. Turmeric will help banish blemishes and keep wrinkles at bay, as it’s a powerful anti-inflammatory. If
you have any other conditions that are caused by inflammation, like arthritis, high cholesterol or asthma, make sure you add this spice to your cabinet.

3. May aid fat metabolism and weight management. So it can prevent cancer, give you smooth skin and make it easier to put
on your skinny jeans? Yes, yes, and yes. While studies are still preliminary, researchers at Tufts University believe turmeric may help prevent weight gain by blocking absorption of fat.

4. Powerful detoxifier. Pretty much anything you put in your body gets filtered through your liver. No matter how healthy your diet is, even pollution, second-hand smoke and stress can take a toll on it, making it sluggish. Turmeric helps cleanse the liver, rejuvenate its cells and all around detoxify that sucker.

5. The Sunshine Spice: Sunshine makes you happy, and apparently so does the spice that shares its same bright color! In Chinese medicine, turmeric is used as an anti-depressant. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. (Well, not really.)

Here is how to add this healing spice to your diet:

-Add to lentils, bean dishes, soups and stews
-Season a veggie stir-fry with it
-Sprinkle on salads
-Use it in a curry sauce
-Try one of my favorite recipes: Warm & Spicy Kale with Shitake Mushrooms

I don’t know about you, but I’m keeping a jar in my purse.

Have a good recipe that uses turmeric? Do share!

Maria Guadagno, Certified Health CoachMaria is the founder of The Bombshell Blueprint, a 6-month, one-on-one coaching program designed specifically for women to help them achieve ultimate wellness and beauty. Clients receive a personally tailored diet and manageable steps to help them lose weight, get glowing skin, and improve their overall health, for good! Maria is trained in raw and natural food preparation from the Natural Gourmet Institute, and in holistic nutrition from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. So, she loves to explain why you are what you eat. Find her on: Facebook: The Bombshell Blueprint, Twitter: @MariaGuadagno, Blog: www.thebombshelldiet.com