Turmeric is one of those spices that instantly brighten up your dishes, owing to its bright yellow hue. It has an earthy flavor combined with some hints of ginger and pepper and makes a great addition to lattes, teas, curries, soups, pasta dishes, and smoothies. But be mindful of supposedly healthy turmeric lattes offered at cafes, warned registered dietitian Victoria Taylor (via British Heart Foundation). “They often come with added ingredients that are high in saturated fat or sugar.”
If you’re cooking with the stuff, you can use the root or the powdered version, but the spice does stain easily so you want to handle it with care and not bring it in close contact with white clothing or table linen.
Even if there is still some debate on turmeric in relation to your cholesterol levels, the spice offers myriad other health benefits. According to an oncology clinical dietitian/nutritionist at Johns Hopkins Medicine, Mary-Eve Brown, the phytonutrients in the spice could help protect your body from pollution and sunlight by neutralizing free radicals and combating cell damage. “Anyone who’s trying to manage inflammation could benefit from adding some turmeric to their foods,” added the clinical dietician. For example, there is 2006 research pointing toward its efficacy in keeping patients with ulcerative colitis (an inflammatory bowel disease) in remission, when consumed with their prescription medication (per Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology). Curcumin has also been associated with brain health, pain relief, reduced depression, boosted immunity, and cancer prevention.