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Slimming turmeric: how a culinary spice can help you lose fat
Turmeric excites our minds and stomachs not only with its exotic color and spicy aroma, but also with many rare talents. This spice is able to cleanse and heal the body, improves mood. And also, according to scientists, stimulates weight loss! So, what is the use of turmeric for weight loss – we tell in detail.
The benefits of turmeric for weight loss have recently been discussed. It turns out that the exotic spice really helps to get rid of the hated fats. How exactly?
Lose weight, godfather, here’s turmeric for you!
Turmeric, a bright yellow spice with a characteristic spicy aroma, is a botanical relative of ginger. To make the seasoning of turmeric, the rhizomes of a very beautiful herb are used, the delicate flowers of which resemble orchids. Thickets of turmeric can be found in Indonesia, China, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Taiwan, Haiti, on the island of Java – in a word, where it is hot and humid. The absolute leader in the export of turmeric roots and powder is India. It was in the Indian philosophical and naturopathic teachings of Ayurveda that the beneficial properties of turmeric for weight loss and health in general were first studied and described in detail.
The ancient Indian sages noted that turmeric has a powerful ability to cleanse the body, both internally and externally.
Of the nearly ninety types of turmeric that exist on the globe, only two are used to make the familiar seasoning: long turmeric (Curcuma longa) and aromatic turmeric (Curcuma aromatica). Another species, Curcuma cedoaria, also called citrine root, is used in the alcoholic beverage industry to flavor beverages. Turmeric for weight loss is used most often as a powdery seasoning, which is generously flavored with food.
First arriving in Europe in the 14th century, turmeric received the nickname “Indian saffron” for its mild flavor and ability to give dishes a pleasant color, like “real” saffron, which not everyone can afford. Today turmeric is widely used in the culinary industry; it is appreciated for its ability to quickly, beautifully and safely color almost any sauce or dish into a bright, cheerful color.
Turmeric is also responsible for the color of the famous curry spice mixture. The low cost of the bright spice is an important property of turmeric that has influenced its popularity today. Turmeric belongs to common spices; today everyone can afford to buy high quality turmeric. This is another reason why turmeric for weight loss is so popular these days.
Turmeric is not only for weight loss, but also for health!
The memorable cheerful color of the spice is given by the polyphenol curcumin, which is associated with the beneficial properties of turmeric. Scientists suggest that this chemical compound, which is water-insoluble crystals in its pure form, has powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and even antidepressant effects.
Research is underway examining the anti-cancer, anti-viral and anti-arthritis properties of curcumin. Not so long ago, the work of scientists from the University of UCLA (California, USA) was published, who discovered another property of the polyphenol that is part of turmeric: curcumin prevents the body from accumulating beta-amyloid, which causes Alzheimer’s disease.
The vitamin and trace element composition of the turmeric root turns this spice into a real treasure. Turmeric is a source of valuable B vitamins and vitamin C, iron, zinc, manganese, selenium and copper, especially important for women’s health, as well as phylloquinone, or vitamin K1, necessary for cell renewal, wound healing and blood clotting.
Why turmeric is useful for weight loss
For some time now, turmeric has been actively talked about in the context of obesity. Nowadays, many nutritionists include this seasoning in the diet of their clients, given its ability to normalize the body’s metabolic processes. But not only this is good for weight loss turmeric!
It was also found that this spice contains a special element – the polyphenol curcumin. One of its most attractive properties of the curcumin polyphenol is that it effectively inhibits the growth of adipose tissue. First of all, this is what determines the benefits of turmeric for weight loss.
Strictly speaking, curcumin does not directly affect the fat deposits themselves, but the tiny blood vessels that must develop in the lipid tissue in order for it to grow. Curcumin actively inhibits the growth of the microvascular system in adipose tissues, which inhibits their physical growth.
Accordingly, even with a fairly plentiful, high-calorie diet, there is every chance to keep your weight and your volumes within the desired norm, if you add turmeric to this diet.
Another valuable element in the composition of turmeric for weight loss is the vitamin-like substance choline (50 mg per 100 g of raw root). Choline is a real “multi-tool”. He acts as a hepatoprotector, a specialist in normalizing the nervous system and even a memory enhancer. But the main property of choline, invaluable when using turmeric for weight loss, is its help to the liver in the processing of fats, the ability to reduce the concentration of fatty acids in the blood and improve cholesterol metabolism.
In Germany, studies have shown that, thanks to its composition, turmeric helps to cope with irritable stomach syndrome and gas. Curcumin strengthens the intestinal walls, and this, in turn, has a positive effect on the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, and the quality of food assimilation.
Also, curcumin, taken daily, helps control blood sugar and reduces calorie intake – such data were released by researchers at Columbia University, noting, however, that these processes require additional study in detail.
How to properly consume turmeric for weight loss
Although turmeric is familiar to almost everyone today, it remains an exotic spice, and, despite its benefits for weight loss and health, it is undesirable to overuse turmeric. Because:
Curcumin in some cases causes an allergic reaction – if you, the ambassador of using turmeric for weight loss, notice a rash, itching or runny nose, immediately stop the weight loss experiment.
Vitamin K1 content can conflict with blood thinners – if you are taking them, turmeric should be avoided.
Turmeric’s ability to beneficially affect the stomach and intestines as a preventive measure can turn into an exacerbation if the disease is active and you suffer from indigestion or abdominal pain.
There is no reliable data on the maximum amount of turmeric for weight loss or for spicing a dish.
However, there is evidence from an interesting study by the University of Oregon, according to which, the consumption of turmeric powder in an amount of less than 4 grams per day has no effect and does not affect the analysis. That is, a tablespoon of turmeric is the amount at which curcumin starts to work.
Since turmeric is a kind of exotic spice, unusual for our body, it should be used with caution. The easiest way to use it is to add turmeric powder to your meals in the same way you add salt, pepper, and herbs. But within reasonable limits! For a 4-person dish, only a quarter teaspoon of turmeric is enough.
If the spice isn’t causing you any side effects, turmeric can be used in specialty drinks as well. They will complement your healthy diet and will be a great help to your meal plan if you are serious about your figure. These slimming turmeric cocktails can be drunk after breakfast or a couple of hours before bedtime.
It is important not to overuse drinks high in turmeric: remember that they should not replace a normal balanced diet, and stop taking turmeric for weight loss if you notice any negative changes in your health.
Slimming turmeric cocktails: recipes
Usually these cocktails contain more aromatic spices (to slightly soften the aggressive taste of burning turmeric) – such as vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, mint and others, as well as green tea, sometimes kefir. Drinking these shakes with turmeric for weight loss is most effective after breakfast and instead of dinner.
Recipe 1. In a cup of freshly brewed green leafy tea, add a small pinch of ground cinnamon (literally on the tip of a knife), a couple of slices of ginger, a few dried strawberries (it perfectly interferes with the too strong taste of turmeric), 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder and 1 teaspoon of honey. When the aromatic tea has cooled down a little, add half a glass of low-fat kefir. Drink instead of dinner.
Recipe 2. In half a glass of boiling water, stir 1 tablespoon of ground turmeric, add half a glass of skim milk and 2 teaspoons of honey (for a milder taste). Drink after breakfast or before bed.
In order for the effect of consuming turmeric for weight loss to become noticeable, the spice must be present in the daily diet for at least 2 weeks. So be patient and stock up on some flavorful seasoning …