You’ve probably heard the news about turmeric, especially if you’re getting on in years or have a medical condition. You’ve investigated natural remedies and foods and found that this golden spice has some great health benefits. Modern medical research has gone further and identified the key compounds in Tumeric and how it promotes good health. Many people don’t know that turmeric isn’t easily absorbed by the bloodstream. It needs the help of a much more common spice, black pepper. Black pepper has its own set of health benefits. Let’s look at each spice separately and then discuss how they work together.
Tumeric Compounds and Benefits
Turmeric has been used for health benefits since ancient times. Modern medical research found that it’s mainly the curcumin in turmeric that’s responsible. It’s what gives this spice its golden color. Tumeric contains essential oils that benefit health. Curcumin fights aging and the inflammation responsible for conditions like arthritis. It combats Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Other promising benefits include cancer prevention and a
Black Pepper Compounds and Benefits
Black pepper is a common spice that has been used in both folk medicine and in the pharmaceutical industry. Studies show it’s beneficial to both physical and mental health. Piperine is the key compound that gives black pepper both its strong taste and health properties. It’s been shown to reduce or destroy cancer cells and improve brain health. Black pepper has a moderate amount of dietary fiber. Fiber helps regulate the digestive tract. As fiber moves through your system, it brings nutrients into the bloodstream. Black pepper is a good source of vitamin K, essential to good health.
Reasons to Combine Turmeric and Black Pepper
Black pepper helps stop the too-quick breakdown of curcumin in the body. This helps the bloodstream absorb turmeric and curcumin so that you get all their great benefits. In fact, studies show black pepper increases the absorption of turmeric and curcumin by a whopping 2,000 percent. There are two possible reasons why this works. First, piperine works like a muscle relaxer that includes intestinal muscles. This helps the intestines allow curcumin molecules to pass through and enter the bloodstream. The second theory is that piperine slows the breakdown of curcumin in the liver. This allows the body more time to absorb curcumin.
These two main reasons to combine black pepper and turmeric lead to still other reasons. Combining them enhances the powerful anti-inflammatory properties of both. This creates an arthritis treatment that is as effective as any medicine for arthritis pain without side effects. Studies also show that turmeric and black pepper work together to slow the growth of several kinds of cancer. The combination of these two spices helps reduce insulin resistance to help with diabetes.
Conclusion
Now that you know the benefit of combining these two spices, the last remaining question is the best way to do it. It’s generally thought that taking supplements is best. If you only use them to flavor food, it’s recommended that you use one-fourth teaspoon of black pepper to every teaspoon of turmeric.
