Turmeric juice. Sounds intense, doesn’t it? It certainly is. But we’re not just talking about the taste – nope, what’s really intense is the list of turmeric juice benefits you reap with every sip.
So it’s no wonder that we are in love with turmeric. This stuff adds a dash of crazy exotic, intense flavor to any juice or smoothie you add it to and is super nutrient dense – like, super, duper nutrient dense.
It’s also some of the brightest stuff you’ve ever seen. After all, it is what gives Indian curries their traditional yellow color, but we scarcely ever see it in its natural form: a knobbly, crooked-y root vegetable that lends its stain to whatever hands touch it.
But as stain-able as it is, turmeric is worth getting your hands dirty for. Ready to find out why?
Why Turmeric Juice?
At its simplest, turmeric is basically the root of the Curcuma longa plant. It can be anywhere from dark yellow to light orange in color and has a slightly hot, bitter taste. It is commonly used in stews, soups as well as a flavoring agent for condiments and even some types of cheeses.
Turmeric belongs in the same family of herbs as the ginger and is believed to have originated in the regions of Southern India and Indonesia. Aside from being a prized culinary ingredient, this plant is also revered as one of the most important elements of the Ayurvedic practice for over 4,000 years!
And there’s good reason it’s been used in traditional medicine for so long – you see, this knobby little root is chockfull of health benefits, like…
7 Terrific Turmeric Juice Benefits
It’s spicy. It’s insanely intense. It overpowers pretty much every other ingredient in a juice recipe. So why should you drink this stuff? Here’s why!
Prevents Inflammation and Infection
The very potent antioxidants in turmeric not only help boost the body’s resilience against illnesses, but also have antibacterial properties that keep inflammation and infection at bay. In some Asian cultures, the paste of ground turmeric root is used as a poultice to top off cuts and burns.
That’s because this spicy root contains a compound called curcumin, an anti-inflammatory agent comparable in potency to ibuprofen and hydrocortisone. Studies have shown it beneficial to arthritis patients, in reducing swelling and pain; but it can be used in almost any case where you would take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug, such as Tylenol or Motrin.
And it’s not just pain-relieving benefits it offers – a bit of turmeric may even help you reach your splits. Not directly, of course. But there’s a reason why turmeric comes up in “best foods for flexibility” lists – the anti-inflammation benefits this warming root offers can help support your flexibility goals.
Boosts Your Metabolism
The warm feeling you get when you ingest turmeric is attributed to its very rich levels of phytochemicals. Besides helping your digestive tract function more efficiently, these phytochemicals also fire up the metabolism receptors in the body to work faster than usual.
Plus, turmeric has a very low calorie count. A whole tablespoonful of it just gives you a mere 24 calories.
Protects Against Ulcers
Laboratory tests show that the main active pharmacological agent in turmeric, curcumin, also helps regulate the amount of gastric acid produced in the stomach.
Apart from causing heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), overproduction of this acid can eventually lead to ulcer.
Promotes Healthy Aging
There are phytochemicals in turmeric that are found to neutralize free radicals and toxins in the body that cause damage to the joints, which can potentially develop into rheumatoid arthritis.
Turmeric has more potential benefits for older people; it contains compounds that block the formation of a peptide called beta-amyloid. Beta-amyloids aggregate in Alzheimer patients to form ‘seeds’ that act as toxic to nerve cells and disable the brain, so blocking their formation can effectively block some of the devastating results of this disease.
Good for the Brain
Turmeric provides the body with various brain-nourishing essential vitamins and minerals like zinc, magnesium, iron, copper, calcium, potassium, Vitamin K and Vitamin E. Aside from helping keep memory retention up to par, these vitamins and minerals also help protect against neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Boosts Oral Health
The slightly bitter taste of turmeric is caused by a number of flavonoids in it. These flavonoids promote the constant flow of saliva in the mouth to inhibit the spread of microorganisms that can cause bad breath, gingivitis and even tooth decay.
Interestingly – did you know that having a sufficient amount of saliva also heightens the sensitivity of the taste buds?
Protects Against Cancer
The antioxidants in turmeric are found to have the ability to enhance the body’s resilience against toxins and free radicals that can cause cancer. They are also instrumental in the repair and rejuvenation of cellular DNA that have been damaged by the same.
In several animal studies, turmeric extract has also been shown to block the growth of several otherwise untreatable cancers. Curcumin works both to inhibit the growth of new cancer cells as well as kill those already there.
5 Actually Tasty Turmeric Juice Recipes
Okay, before you start juicing turmeric, keep in mind that this little root may be small but it has a strong flavor so be careful not to use too much in your juices, otherwise you’ll end up with a liquid far too bitter to use. In my early enthusiasm with the root, I actually juiced straight-up turmeric juice and found it to be entirely un-drinkable, even when diluted with lots and lots of cucumbers and water.
That being said, adding sweeter fruits and veggies makes a huge difference so feel free to pair it up with some blander vegetables and some low-sugar fruits for a wonderfully anti-inflammatory beverage, and dispense with the Tylenol!
Quick tip: Adding a little bit of black pepper to your turmeric juice recipes helps make the curcumin in the turmeric more available. Plus, it adds a little more “bite.”
Okay, here are some yummy turmeric juice recipes you can try today!
Turmeric Sunrise
Perfect for those mornings when you can use a juice as bright and fresh as the rising sun, this very orange juice recipe is an awesome way to start your day off bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
Orange Immunity Tonic
Here’s a super simple turmeric juice recipe, adapted from The Green Creator:
- 2 lemons (peeled)
- 2 carrots
- 1 cup fresh pineapple (include the core!)
- 1 inch fresh ginger
- 1 inch fresh turmeric
So simple, so delicious and the perfect thing to sip on before meals and whenever you’re in need of a little pick-me-up. Both the ginger and turmeric are amazing for immunity and the bromelain enzyme in pineapple helps get your digestive juices flowing!
Flu-Busting Turmeric Shot
Turmeric is the herb (along with ginger) I turn to when I know I can use an immune boost. And this juice recipe is a delicious way to stop a cold in its tracks!
Rejuvenating Root Juice
This is one of the best turmeric juice recipes. Ever. Crafted by the brilliant Gourmande in the Kitchen, it’s really the perfect concoction of delicious immune-boosting, nutrient-rich goodness:
- 1 medium beet
- 3 medium carrots
- 1 medium blood orange (peeled)
- ½ a lemon (peeled)
- 2 inch turmeric root
- 1 inch fresh ginger
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Has the ideal amount of sugar and spice, with the sweeter root veggies like beet and carrot keeping everything palatable while the turmeric, ginger and peppers spice and zing it up.
Turmeric Cleanse
Highly hydrating, deeply nourishing, and wonderfully refreshing, this is one gentle detox juice recipe for those times when you can use a quick reboot.
