The Ultimate Guide to Turmeric Tea Benefits
The Ultimate Guide to Turmeric Tea Benefits
Have you ever known about a delicious herbal tea, that is heavenly rich in a number of nutrients? Well, there is turmeric tea! Turmeric tea is perfect for tea lovers who want to enjoy a uniquely nutritious beverage.
Turmeric tea originates from Southeast Asia and belongs to the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It has been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine since ancient times. In ancient Indian medicine, turmeric was known as manjal or haldi. This popular spice is made from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, with India supplying 78% of the global turmeric market. Some renowned turmeric tea benefits include boosting immunity, preventing liver diseases and arthritis, and controlling blood sugar levels. Besides tea, turmeric is used in cooking, spiritual practices, and has many medicinal properties.
This article explores how turmeric tea has become popular worldwide and its benefits for human health. Let's dive into the benefits of turmeric tea that enhance your physical, mental, and spiritual health.
What is Turmeric Exactly?
Turmeric is a flowering plant from the ginger family, scientifically named Curcuma longa. The rhizome and underground root system of this herbal spice have been used to make turmeric tea since ancient times. Turmeric tea is made by steeping dried or fresh turmeric root in cold or hot water. It has a yellow, orange, or golden color with a sweet, somewhat bitter, spicy kick when steeped in hot water. Turmeric tea is readily available in grocery stores, making it easy to prepare at home.
Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, gives it its distinctive yellow color. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties but is hard to absorb into the body due to its low bioavailability. Various forms of turmeric supplements exist, including capsules, liquid turmeric tea, powder, liquid extracts, and whole roots. You can make turmeric tea using pure turmeric powder, grated ground turmeric root, or by purchasing turmeric tea bags or loose leaves from a shop.
In addition to its features, tea enthusiasts should know about the appropriate dosage and the benefits of turmeric tea benefits.
How Much Turmeric Tea Should Be Consumed Per Day?
There is no specific daily intake for turmeric, but research suggests certain amounts to maximize turmeric tea benefits. The recommended amount of pure turmeric powder for an adult is 400–600 mg. Typically, the daily curcumin dosage is recommended to be 4000-8000 mg.
Different Health Benefits of Turmeric Tea
Turmeric has been used in traditional medicine since ancient times. It contains polyphenol antioxidants called curcuminoids. Curcumin, a key component, provides numerous health benefits such as antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric tea is both nutritious and a delicious beverage.
Boosts the Immune System
Curcumin can enhance immune function due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Therefore, curcumin in turmeric tea acts as an immune modulator, helping immune cells function effectively against cancer cells.
Provides Powerful Anti-inflammatory Properties
Curcumin, the coloring agent in turmeric, is rich in polyphenols that block metabolic pathways leading to inflammation. It reduces the effects of conditions like metabolic syndrome and osteoarthritis. Inflammation caused by oxidative stress can lead to chronic diseases such as allergies, asthma, heart diseases, cancer, colitis, and psoriasis. Oxidative stress also contributes to neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis, which affects muscle weakness, numbness, and memory problems.
Lowers Cholesterol
Turmeric tea helps reduce LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels, which are crucial for heart health. Curcumin in turmeric tea decreases the risk of heart attacks and prevents the narrowing of arteries. Therefore, doctors often recommend turmeric tea for heart patients.
Helps with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Curcumin in turmeric tea positively affects some irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. Research indicates that there is no risk from turmeric tea for people with IBS. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric help alleviate IBS symptoms. Turmeric also helps minimize ulcerative colitis symptoms.
Preventative Measure for Alzheimer’s Disease
Curcumin has a notable impact on neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. According to the World Health Organization, 5% of men and 6% of women over the age of 60 are affected by this disease globally. Researchers have found that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of curcumin help prevent Alzheimer's disease. In India, senior citizens have a lower prevalence of Alzheimer's and other cognitive diseases, which researchers attribute to the regular consumption of turmeric.
Helps Uveitis Symptoms
Uveitis is an inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye located between the white part and the retina. This condition can cause eye pain and affect vision. The antioxidant properties of turmeric boost the immune system. Ophthalmologists have proven that eye drops made from turmeric function similarly to antibiotic eye drop treatments for conjunctivitis.
Helps with the Development of Arthritis
Turmeric tea is a popular treatment for arthritis. Studies show that the powerful anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin reduce osteoarthritis pain. Curcumin in turmeric tea reduces joint inflammation by blocking a signaling process known as the MTOR pathway.
Helps Prevent Heart Diseases
Turmeric tea offers heart health benefits due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin in turmeric thins the blood, reduces cholesterol, and prevents the narrowing of arteries. Turmeric tea protects against many cardiovascular diseases and is recommended by cardiologists for heart patients, especially those who have undergone surgeries.
Helps Protect Liver Damage from Occurring
Curcumin in turmeric tea protects the liver from damage. Curcumin increases the production of bile, a digestive fluid, and protects liver cells from damage caused by bile-associated chemicals.
What are the Side Effects of Having Turmeric Tea?
Turmeric tea contains 2% oxalate, which, in high doses, can cause kidney stones. Not all turmeric tea on the market is pure; some products may be adulterated with fillers like cassava, starch, barley, wheat, or rye flour, leading to symptoms of gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Additionally, some sellers add colorings to enhance the tea's appearance, such as metanil yellow, which can cause cancer or neurological damage when consumed in high doses. Metanil yellow is prohibited in the United States and Europe, but it is still used in India. Some turmeric tea products may contain heavy metals that harm the nervous system. Therefore, it is crucial to choose high-quality products when consuming turmeric tea.
What Happens When Turmeric Tea is Taken with Medication?
Turmeric is a potent spice, but it may not be suitable when combined with certain medications. Despite the numerous turmeric tea benefits, it can interfere with drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen, reducing their effectiveness. Doctors advise against turmeric tea for patients on anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin. Additionally, avoid using turmeric tea if you experience allergic reactions after consuming it.
Pregnant women or those on medications should consult a healthcare professional before using turmeric tea. Avoid combining turmeric tea with other herbal products like clove, garlic, and ginger, as this may decrease the microbial activity of antibiotics and slow blood clotting. Taking turmeric tea with medications can increase the risk of bleeding. High doses of turmeric tea may cause stomach upsets, especially when combined with medications like Tagamet, which reduces stomach acid.
Final Thoughts
Turmeric tea is a herbal tea rich in nutrients and flavor. Native to Southeast Asia, turmeric belongs to the Zingiberaceae family and is made from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. India supplies a significant portion of the world's turmeric. Brewing turmeric tea boosts immunity, prevents liver disease and arthritis, and controls blood pressure and blood sugar. Turmeric tea has a bitter, spicy taste.
For daily consumption, doctors recommend 400-600 mg of turmeric powder for adults. Curcumin, the most important compound in turmeric, supports health and well-being with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
There are numerous turmeric tea benefits for human health, including lowering cholesterol, alleviating irritable bowel syndrome, preventing Alzheimer’s disease, reducing uveitis symptoms, preventing heart disease, and protecting the liver from damage. However, excessive consumption can have harmful effects, so it's essential to ensure the quality of turmeric tea before purchasing.
Therefore, consuming high-quality turmeric tea benefits your health when used properly. Tea lovers, now is the time to enjoy this nutritious tea with its unique flavor. Try turmeric tea and experience its remarkable benefits.