Herbs and spices are fun, bamboozling things. But, one spice certainly ranks supreme…turmeric! Turmeric is a magnificent spice that has powerful medicinal properties. It is an ancient spice whose natural healing powers have been observed and utilized by tribal healers for thousands of years. The spice is the ground powder from the rhizome of the turmeric plant, which is closely related to ginger (another awesome, healing spice!). Turmeric contains curcumin, a substance with serious anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin is one of the most intensely studied natural antioxidants in history. Recent medical literature over the past several decades abounds in the study of this agent and much of it is focused on breast cancer. Such studies infer that the anti-cancer effects of curcumin are mediated through its down regulation of various transcription factors, growth factors, inflammatory cytokines and other oncogenic molecules. These positive effects of curcumin make it a vital spice not only for cancer prevention, but a host of other pro-inflammatory ailments such as arthritis and cardiovascular disease. And, you can find turmeric as ground powder in capsules or for smoothies. Here is a recipe for a turmeric smoothie, an easy way to sneak some of this good stuff into your diet.
Check out these articles to learn more:
- ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17569208
- ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4997408/
- ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19809577
This article is not intended as a substitute for medical prevention or treatment. If you have questions related to your medical condition, please contact your physician.
Tropical Turmuric Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond or coconut milk
- 1/2 cup frozen mango chunks
- 1 fresh or frozen medium banana
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- A dash of sea salt
- A little honey, maple syrup, or stevia to sweeten (optional)
The Add-ons
- 1 tablespoon chia seed or chia seed gel
- 1/4 avocado
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen pineapple chunks
- 1 tablespoon coconut shreds/flakes
- 1/2 tablespoon maca
Instructions
Place all the ingredients into your high-speed blender and blend for around 30-45 seconds or until nice and smooth. If you don’t have a very powerful blender and your coconut oil is in liquid form, you might want to blend everything except the coconut oil first, then drizzle it on and blend for another 5-10 seconds to avoid clumping.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 323; Fat: 18g; Protein: 3g; Carbohydrates: 44g; Fiber: 6g; Sugar: 27g;
Vitamin A: 13% RDA; Vitamin C: 67% RDA; Calcium: 33% RDA; Iron: 14% RDA
Austin Breast Imaging supports the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) recommendations that breast cancer screening should begin at age 40 and earlier in high risk patients. Please call or visit our website to schedule your mammogram today.
512.776.1000