We’ve seen the effects that turmeric juice has on inflammation (as well as the brain), but what about the heart?
Although nothing can really replace exercise, turmeric has been found to produce some of the same cardiovascular health benefits as moving the body. This recent study found that taking just a teaspoon of turmeric per day has the ability to reduce heart attack risk, just as effectively as doing three 60-minute cardiovascular workouts a week.
This 8-week long study involved 32 post-menopausal women, who were either assigned to an exercise group, a turmeric group, or a control group (no change in diet or exercise). Ultrasound was used to measure changes in endothelium (the inner lining of blood vessels), which would overall determine the health of the participants’ blood vessels.
The turmeric group received 1 teaspoon of turmeric a day, while the exercise group underwent supervised aerobic exercise training 2-3 times a week, plus any other activities they might have done at home such as cycling and walking. Each of their sessions last 30-60 minutes with an intensity of 60-75% maximal heart rate.
At the end of the study, researchers found that the turmeric group and exercise group both experienced improved endothelial function at rates that were statistically significant. Their results were nearly identical, suggesting that turmeric has the same effect on the cardiovascular system as doing 60 minutes of exercise.
How amazing is that? This isn’t the only study that has discovered the connection between turmeric juice and the cardiovascular system. A 2012 study from the Chiang Mai University of Thailand found that turmeric could reduce the frequency of heart attack after coronary artery bypass surgery by 56%!
Make sure you use organic turmeric powder, or fresh root. I decided to also include coconut and black pepper in this turmeric juice recipe, as turmeric is more readily absorbed into the blood stream when these ingredients are included with it.
Turmeric Juice Recipe
Ingredients: (serves 1)
– 3 inches fresh turmeric root
– 2 inches fresh ginger root
– 2 oranges, peeled
– 5 large carrots
– 1 lemon, peeled
– 1 tbsp. melted coconut oil
– 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Method:
Run all of the above ingredients through a juicer, except for the coconut oil and pepper. Once finished juicing, add the coconut oil and black pepper. Stir, and enjoy!
I dont have a juicer but I have a ninja blander, will that work ok?
Yes! If you want to strain it in a nut milk bag after blending, you can do that too.
I make golden paste with turmeric, coconut oil, water and black pepper. I then consume it in hot drinks or right off the spoon. So beneficial for my inflamed foot
Hi Cathy! Is this recipe to drink everyday? There’s a lot of natural sugars in both carrots and oranges. How will this affect a perimenopausal woman’s efforts in trying to lose weight? Is there another way to consume turmeric daily without all the added sugars?
You can drink this recipe every day, yes! Do not worry about natural fruit and vegetable sugars – focus more on reducing your consumption of refined sugars. Fruit and vegetable sugars synthesize in the body much differently than refined sugar forms. But if you want to consume turmeric differently, you could always dissolve a couple teaspoons in some coconut milk and maple syrup and heat it up a bit, and drink it as a sort of “golden milk” (which I have recipes for under the recipe section!).
Is it best to only take one of the recipes daily – I’m going to start with the turmeric juice but I also rather fancy the pineapple one.
I have a high level of inflammation and also want to protect my heart. I am post menopausal and walk daily with my dog.
Your advice would be great.
Thank you.
You can switch between the two every day. Both of them are going to be very beneficial!
Wow, that’s alot of carrots and oranges to go thru everyday for just 1 serving.
Is there any other tumeric recipe that i can mix up that doesnt use that amount of carrots and oranges as it would cost me a small fortune buying the carrots and oranges just for 1 drink per day, not to mention the time in peeling them daily.
Have already got the tumeric as give tumeric everyday to my horses
Definitely! You can always mix the turmeric up with some coconut milk and black pepper, heat on the stove and add a bit of honey or maple syrup for taste. Alternatively, you could also mix up honey with the amount of turmeric you want (and some black pepper), and then just eat it like that! Black pepper helps increase absorption.