I’m sure you’ve heard by now that ginger and turmeric are good for your health. But have you ever wondered why? Or how you can get more of these anti-inflammatory roots in your diet without having to take them in pill form?
I’ve created a delicious and refreshing juice recipe utilizing these anti-inflammatory foods. It is reminiscent of lemonade and perfect for warm, sunny days.
I also love drinking this juice right before a workout. I find that eating food before exercise makes me feel sluggish and makes my digestive system angry. But this juice gives me energy and sits just right. Plus, this juice has a VIBRANT color that gets lots of stares at the gym! People are always so curious what it is. A quick glance and you might think it is a really bright-colored orange juice, but closer consideration will leave you knowing it couldn’t be.
Juicing
Now, let’s talk about juicing. Because I’m not actually the biggest fan of juicing…in most cases.
When you juice fiber-rich fruits and veggies like apples, pears, beets, etc. the fiber gets stripped away as waste material and you end up with a drink full of fructose. For those with digestive issues, the result isn’t pretty. But it actually isn’t really a good idea for anybody.
While people with digestive issues and FODMAP intolerance tend to have an especially hard time with fructose, even healthy individuals malabsorb this type of sugar when it is consumed over a certain amount [1].
Excessive fructose consumption can also result in increased triglyceride levels and elevated uric acid levels [2].
Additionally, the body likes to maintain relatively stable blood sugar levels. But a juice with lots of fruit or starchy vegetables makes for a blood sugar roller coaster. This could leave you feeling moody, hungry, and possibly even promote insulin resistance. Long-term that spells trouble for conditions such as type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s, and more.
Luckily, lemons are low in fructose compared to other fruits. So I’m not worried about negative health impacts from this juice. Instead, I will point out its amazing benefits!
Turmeric
Turmeric is a root popular in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines that has now gained popularity in other arenas as well. In Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicine, it is used for a wide variety of health conditions. Research has supported its use for alleviating symptoms of several conditions, including the following [3]:
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Ulcerative colitis
- Osteoarthritis
One of its main active constituents is known as curcumin. This compound has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer properties.
Research has shown that curcumin has exhibited activity against all of the following diseases (see diagram below) [4]:
[Source: Gupta SC, Patchva S, Aggarwal BB. Therapeutic roles of curcumin: lessons learned from clinical trials. AAPS J. 2013;15(1):195-218.]
Ginger
Ginger is one of the other key flavors in this juice.
In case you haven’t noticed, I LOVE ginger. I use it in lots of recipes. It has anti-histamine, anti-inflammatory, and motility properties. And I have discussed it extensively in previous posts: Fresh Lemon Ginger Tea, Ginger Berry Smoothie.
- 5 lemons, peeled
- 30 grams fresh turmeric root (about 3.5 inch chunk), cut into 2-3 pieces
- 30 grams fresh ginger (about 3 inch chunk), cut into 2-3 pieces
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup or honey (I prefer maple syrup)
- 4 cups water
- Place a container below your juicer to catch the juice.
- Alternate between adding lemons, turmeric, and ginger, ending with lemons.
- Transfer juice to a blender and add maple syrup and water. Process for 10-15 seconds or until well incorporated. If your blender isn't big enough to fit everything, work in batches. Transfer to storage jars.
References
[1] Rezaie A, Buresi M, Lembo A, et al. Hydrogen and Methane-Based Breath Testing in Gastrointestinal Disorders: The North American Consensus. Am J Gastroenterol. 2017;112(5):775-784.
[2] Dornas WC, De lima WG, Pedrosa ML, Silva ME. Health implications of high-fructose intake and current research. Adv Nutr. 2015;6(6):729-37.
[3] Cassileth B. Complementary therapies, herbs, and other OTC agents: turmeric (Curcuma longa, Curcuma domestica). Oncology (Williston Park, NY). 2010;24(6):546.
[4] Gupta SC, Patchva S, Aggarwal BB. Therapeutic roles of curcumin: lessons learned from clinical trials. AAPS J. 2013;15(1):195-218.
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