16/05/2020
Dhal. Dal. One of my all-time favourite soups is full of skin and gut-loving nutrients. It's nourishing, warming, immune-boosting, and super simple to put together, making it a great weekday option!⠀⠀⠀ ⠀
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sourdough GF bread paired with this cup of lentil stew is perfect.
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Let's talk turmeric! Its name has become largely popular recently and can be found in a variety of things. It's healing, and inflammation-fighting properties make it a power horse when it comes to benefiting our bodies. Curcumin, the active polyphenol ingredient in turmeric, gives it the vibrant yellow pigment it's known for and is the compound with the superman benefits! Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been shown to inhibit the growth of certain fungi and bacteria and has proved effective against certain intestinal parasites. To me, the most profound benefit of incorporating turmeric in your diet is its anti-inflammatory benefits. Turmeric lowers the level of messaging molecules that trigger inflammation. It also lowers levels of nitric oxide and can promote healthy immune system responses. Consuming turmeric on its own still has it's benefits but is known to have low bioavailability, meaning it's not easily absorbed and used in our bodies the way it could be!⠀⠀⠀ ⠀
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✨Tips to make turmeric's benefits more bioavailable for us✨⠀⠀⠀ ⠀
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→ Add freshly ground black pepper.⠀⠀⠀ ⠀
Piperine, a compound found in black pepper, can significantly improve the absorbency curcumins' benefits.⠀⠀⠀ ⠀
→ Add fat.
Turmeric is fat-soluble, meaning it needs fat to help absorb and carry to our bodies tissues efficiently. Suggestions? Coconut milk is excellent - both taste-wise and nutritionally, and is traditionally used often in Eastern cultures as their primary fat option. Ghee is also a brilliant fat to use with turmeric. The list goes on though... avocado oil, coconut oil, grass-fed butter, nut butter, seeds - you name it!
