I want to share with you this soothing, comforting and anti-inflammatory latte, as the perfect alternative to your usual cup of tea or coffee. It’s completely caffeine-free, which is perfect for those of us that tend towards anxiety and can be overly sensitive to the stimulating (and therefore, stress-inducing) effects of caffeine. I know I am.
The following recipe is adapted from the book The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution* by Aviva Romm. The original recipe contained green tea which has a lot of health benefits but also contains caffeine so this has been omitted. It’s still a wonderfully rich and tasty drink, even without the caffeine.
So what are the benefits of turmeric?
- Curcumin is the active component in turmeric which has anti-oxidant properties and supports the function of the body’s own anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are needed to fight free radicals which can otherwise damage cells within the body
- Curcumin also has anti-inflammatory properties because it blocks inflammatory pathways in the body. There are lots of conditions linked to increased inflammation such as arthritis, diabetes, obesity, depression and Alzheimer’s
- This paper discusses numerous studies about the health benefits of curcumin. One study, in particular, showed that curcumin was able to improve fatigue, memory, and calmness and reduce psychological stress (1).
“Curcumin is great for reducing inflammation and boosting anti-oxidants, both of which are important for supporting mental health” (2)
“Adding black pepper (3), heating (4) and taking curcumin with some form of fat (like coconut milk) (3) increases the absorption significantly”
Turmeric Latte Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp of freshly grated turmeric or 1 heaped tsp of turmeric powder
- 1 tsp of freshly grated ginger
- Pinch of ground black pepper
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Coconut milk or other milk (make sure it’s not really low-fat or fat-free milk, as we want some fat for absorbing the curcumin)
Method:
- Bring one cup of milk to a boil and turn off
- Add the spices and steep for 10 minutes
- Strain the liquid and if you like it hot, add the liquid back to the pan, bringing it to simmer
- Pour into a cup and enjoy 1-2 cups daily!
Tips:
- Wear some rubber or latex gloves when grating the turmeric as it really stains your hands!
- You can buy fresh turmeric and ginger in bulk which you can grate or chop into usable-sized chunks to freeze. When you want to use it in future, there’s no need to thaw it out, just grate from frozen or (if already grated) add it straight to whatever it is you’re making
- This recipe contains ginger which has health-promoting properties such as lowering blood pressure, and increasing blood circulation, it’s anti-inflammatory, anti-sickness and it’s also great for supporting digestion, reducing bloating and reducing indigestion (6)
Drug-nutrient interactions
Interactions aside, turmeric has some wonderful health benefits which you can enjoy by drinking this anti-inflammatory turmeric latte. It’s a great choice when you are wanting something rich and frothy, and because of the ginger and black pepper, it has a subtle spicy kick to it. It’s also possible to supplement with curcumin and there are many products on the market. If supplementing, look for one that contains black pepper or one that states it is “liposomal”, for improved absorption. I am not affiliated with any supplement companies but I am happy to point you in the direction of good quality supplements, so please feel free to get in touch!
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