This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
Inflammation can be uncomfortable, and chronic inflammation can have a serious impact on your health over time. In those situations, consulting your doctor — and following their advice — should be your first step. However, some dietary changes could also help relieve the inflammatory pain if you want to add a more holistic element to your health plan.
Specifically, turmeric is one spice well-known for it’s anti-inflammatory properties. Keep reading for more details.
Turmeric
Turmeric is widely recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties, making it an excellent ingredient to incorporate more heavily into your regular diet. If you are subject to uncomfortable inflammation, adding turmeric to your meals makes even more sense.
Turmeric contains curcumin. "Curcumin is strongly anti-inflammatory," explains Healthline. "In fact, it’s so powerful that it matches the effectiveness of some anti-inflammatory drugs, without the side effects."
The article adds, "It helps to consume black pepper with it, which contains piperine, a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2,000%." Taking a curcumin supplement might be your best bet when it comes to getting your regular does of its anti-inflammatory properties, but eating turmeric regularly can still be beneficial.
With that in mind, keep reading for 3 delicious, anti-inflammatory recipes that feature turmeric.
Creamy Turmeric Chicken Skillet
What You'll Need: unsalted butter, yellow onion, turmeric root, black pepper, kosher salt, chicken thighs, ground turmeric, dry white wine, heavy cream, low-sodium chicken broth, basmati or jasmine rice, cilantro
Full Recipe: The Kitchn
Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Tea
What You'll Need: organic coconut milk, ground turmeric, black pepper, ginger root, ground cardamom, ground cinnamon, raw honey
Full Recipe: Elizabeth Rider
Turmeric Rice
What You'll Need: butter, olive oil, onion, garlic, jasmine rice rinsed, chicken broth (low sodium), bay leaf, salt, pepper, turmeric
Full Recipe: Fox and Briar
