Try adding turmeric to your smoothies and juices for these great health benefits

If you have a blender at home, you know just how fun it is to mix and match ingredients and find the perfect balance between sweetness and usefulness in your juices and smoothies. The "trial and error" aspect of the hobby makes it all the more exciting, as the possibilities for adjustments are near endless. But have you really looked into the ingredients you're throwing into your machine? Some may be more beneficial than others, and that's what we're here to discuss. 
Turmeric, for example, is something few people would think to add to their concoctions, and yet the benefits from even small amounts can be incredibly valuable. Let's take a quick look at some of the most important health benefits of turmeric.
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1. It's a powerful anti-inflammatory
Turmeric is mostly valued for the valuable chemical compound within it called curcumin, according to Authority Nutrition. One of its chief properties is its ability to fight off inflammation by directly tackling the molecules responsible. One of these is called NF-kB, and its nefarious purpose is to essentially activate inflammation, the website reports. Curcumin is one of the chemicals that are capable of inhibiting NF-kB, thus holding back the onset of inflammation in some cases.
2. It'll protect your heart
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that turmeric can help combat atherosclerosis, a disease that occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries, potentially leading to further heart diseases or strokes. World's Healthiest Foods adds that curcumin has the ability to activate the creation of additional receptors for LDL, the harmful variant of cholesterol, leading to a more rapid elimination of LDL from the body.
3. It could help jog your memory
BNDF, or Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, is a protein that allows for the multiplication of neurons in the brain. Such a process provides additional protection against diseases like Alzheimer's, but BNDF has been found to decrease in the brain for various reasons, leading to an unfortunate victory for these diseases. Curcumin, however, is capable of increasing BNDF, allowing for heightened defenses against cognitive decay and depression, Authority Nutrition indicates.
In addition, curcumin was found to be able to cross into the brain and attach to amyloid-B, a protein that, when left to its own devices, tends to build up in plaques in the brain, causing the onset of Alzheimer's through oxidation and inflammation, according to World's Healthiest Foods.
4. It can help fight cancer
Authority Nutrition reports that curcumin has been found to lessen the growth of blood vessels within tumors, the spread of cancer to other organs, and the growth of cancerous cells. World's Healthiest Foods adds that curcumin seems to be especially potent at fighting off the growth of leukemia cells in children. Studies show that the prevalence of turmeric in Asian cuisine may be linked to the lower frequency of childhood leukemia in these parts of the world.
How to use turmeric in a smoothie
Now that we know just how useful turmeric can be, how can we best combine it with other ingredients for a deliciously healthy smoothie? Because turmeric can be fairly strong, it's recommended to use it in conjunction with somewhat sweeter fruits, like bananas or mangoes. Other equally beneficial spices, like ginger or cinnamon, can greatly complement the flavor of turmeric. 
If you wish to make the most of turmeric's properties, you may also want to combine it with a little pepper. Studies have proven that piperine, a chemical found in black pepper, increases the absorption of curcumin into the bloodstream by 2000%, according to Authority Nutrition. Unconventional as it may seem, adding just a little bit of black pepper to your smoothie can dramatically increase the effectiveness of turmeric. Here is a sample recipe for a turmeric smoothie:
1 1/4 cup carrot juice
1 cup mango
1 banana, peeled and chopped
1 tsp fresh ginger
1 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup ice
Naturally, as mentioned previously, these measurements are completely customizable and you're more than welcome to alter them, as well as add or remove ingredients to your needs.
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Do you have any other smoothie recipes involving turmeric? If so, tell us in the comments section. Don't forget to SHARE this valuable information with your friends and family! Healthy deliciousness for everyone!
RemedyDaily.com does not give medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.