This article has been updated since it was originally posted on 12/13/2020
Stress, unfortunately, is a natural part of life. And while it can have the most prominent effects on your mental health, stress can also wreak havoc on your body, causing inflammation as an uncomfortable reaction. This can lead to a number of health risks, from diseases to digestive issues and weight gain. There are only so many tools you can implement to manage stress in your life, but if you can’t solve the root issue, you can at least treat the symptoms. If you’re struggling with inflammation caused by anxiety, hormones, or a bad reaction to food, there’s one spice that doctors recommend adding into your mornings to cut through bloat, ease your tension, and even help you lose weight.
To discover the best anti-inflammatory ingredient you can easily add to a plethora of meals, we spoke to MD Andrea Paul, Dr. M. Kara, creator of KaraMD, and registered dietitian Michelle Hawksworth at Muscle and Brawn. They told us you should start sprinkling turmeric onto everything!
Turmeric
Turmeric is the perfect addition to your morning routine to help ease an inflamed stomach and start your day off right. "One of the greatest benefits of turmeric is that it is a natural anti-inflammatory compound," Kara notes.
Paul agrees that turmeric is a fantastic anti-inflammatory tool, particularly helpful for aiding digestion. She recommends adding a peeled turmeric root to your next breakfast smoothie, or pureeing with water and cinnamon to top your oatmeal with, as oats are also an anti-inflammatory ingredient. Yum!
Kara and Hawksworth point out that the curcumin in the turmeric is the main cause of its inflammation-fighting benefits. "It's the compound that gives the spice its yellow color and also the source of its many healing properties," Hawksworth explains.
According to the Food Network, turmeric is one of the strongest natural anti-inflammatories, thanks to the fact that this miracle-working curcumin "helps stimulate the gallbladder to produce bile." For this reason, "turmeric is known to combat indigestion, bloating and gas.” Bloating can be frustrating and uncomfortable considering it’s often difficult to know the exact cause, but turning to natural remedies is a great option for easing digestion and fighting bloat—especially when it’s a spice which can be thrown into many of your favorite recipes!
The benefits of turmeric don't stop there, either. As Hawksworth notes, "It also improves memory, reduces joint pain, and lowers the risk of heart disease." Incredible!
If you’re looking for an easy way to integrate turmeric into your morning routine, try making yourself a cup of golden milk to reap the benefits in this delicious hot drink! This recipe from The Minimalist Baker is the creamy drink you’ve been looking for to heal your bloating and start your morning.
Although bloating and inflammation are frustrating to deal with, there are natural remedies that can help to soothe the symptoms until you find the source. Making a curry for dinner and adding turmeric, or having golden milk or oatmeal for breakfast are simple adjustments to your day that will limit bloating and ease stress in no time.
