The turmeric - black pepper - coconut oil trio
These three ingredients offer so many amazing benefits on their own, but the reason this paste works so well is because of how they work together to enhance each other’s effectiveness.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a popular Asian-Indian spice in the ginger family that reaps so many health benefits thanks to a polyphenol called curcumin, the substance that gives it its vibrant yellow hue. Curcumin kicks in on a molecular level by blocking disease-causing molecules related to inflammation; it’s the spice’s primary active component that exhibits over 150 potentially therapeutic benefits. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory that has been as effective as some potent anti-inflammatory drugs like hydrocortisone, but without all the side effects.
Black pepper
Black pepper is the fruit or berry of a flowering vine in the Piperaceae plant family. When ripe, the berry is cultivated, dried and is then used as a spice. Aside from its ancient Egyptian healing properties, black pepper became the king of spices around the world. It offers such a diverse flavor that can be added to food dishes and even drinks, but the best part is its health benefits. Black pepper has been proven to promote weight loss because it decreases belly fat and boosts metabolism. In addition to this, black pepper is a natural anti-depressant and helps improve mood!
This common household spice is actually the key to this recipe being so effective. Black pepper’s spicy component called piperine triggers the active ingredients in the turmeric. When it’s added to turmeric, piperine enhances curcumin’s absorption by 1,000 times. So, when mixing turmeric and black pepper, your body’s absorption will increase by an impressive 2000%!
Coconut Oil
There’s not too much coconut oil can’t do. While coconut oil consists of over 90% saturated fats which contain high levels of medium chain triglycerides (which give it its antimicrobial properties), it’s also extremely high in protein. Aside from coconut oil’s long list of health benefits, the saturated fat it contains help increase the absorption of turmeric. Believe it or not, fat is needed for our body to properly absorb nutrients!
What it does for you
Thanks to this trio of amazing spices, this paste offers so many health benefits that include the following:
- Natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, and analgesic
- Boosts immunity
- Anti-carcinogenic
- Helps maintain cholesterol levels
- Promotes digestive health
- Liver detoxifier
- Regulates metabolism and weight management
- Reduces high blood pressure
- Promotes proper memory and brain function
- Improves various skin conditions
- Helps with neurological disorders
- Lowers triglycerides
- Reduces inflammation and stiffness of joints
Turmeric Paste Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup organic turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon organic ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon organic virgin coconut oil
- 1/2 cup filtered or distilled water
Directions
Mix all contents into a large stainless or ceramic saucepan and brew over medium heat. Stir frequently. Once the mixture begins to bubble (approximately 4 minutes), turn heat down to low while continuing to stir to prevent it from burning. Once it thickens to a paste (about 8 minutes in total), shut off heat. Once mixture cools, transfer to a glass jar and store in the fridge. The turmeric paste will last up to 2 weeks. Tip: If it begins to smell metallic, it has gone bad!
This paste can be added to anything. I try to eat 1-2 teaspoons of it every morning with breakfast by adding it to my morning smoothie, but it can easily be slipped into most dishes.
Enjoy!
References:
http://www.ravenpine.com/turmeric-health-benefits-make-turmeric-paste-with-black-pepper-coconut-oil-maximum-absorption/
http://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric/