Turmeric – Adding Spice to your Cooking

Have you considered altering your diet in order to add more turmeric?  There seem to be a number of individuals who have questions about this perennial flowering plant of the ginger family that contribute so greatly to our health.  Turmeric is usually consumed in a powder form as a spice, and is a common ingredient in curry powder.

Turmeric plants thrive in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent and have been used for over 5,000 years in traditional cultures throughout the Eastern world.  Turmeric is a peppery-flavored spice that has a mild smell and a bright yellow-orange color – and is said to have the ability to remedy lots of illnesses.

Nutrition

The USDA nutrition database says that one teaspoon of turmeric powder contains:

• 9 calories
• 0.29 grams of protein
• 0.1 grams of fat
• 2 grams of carbohydrates
• 0.7 grams fiber

This same teaspoon of turmeric is a source for 62 mg of potassium, 6 mg of magnesium,  5 mg of  calcium and 1.7 mg of iron.

Promising Health Benefits

Curcumin is what gives turmeric its yellow-orange coloring. Curcumin is the active ingredient found in turmeric.  It has been said that it may be a contributor to helping break down fat cells in your body; and, because of its natural anti-inflammatory agents, turmeric may help reduce joint and muscle pain.  Some preliminary research on the positive effects of curcumin include aiding in digestion, lowering cholesterol, relieving arthritis and cystic fibrosis symptoms, preventing some cancers, and lowering blood pressure.

Cooking with Turmeric

Try adding this simple spice to your diet by tossing it into a favorite dish.  Our family adds turmeric in a family favorite roasted cauliflower and tomatoes.  We toss cauliflower, cut into florets, and halves of cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, turmeric and cayenne pepper. We bake these veggies in a shallow baking pan until tender.