Bored with drinking plain black coffee?
Here’s something new for you – turmeric coffee.
I know, it sounds a bit weird.
But it’s delicious and, more importantly, very healthy.
I’m a convert, and I’m sure you’ll be after the first try as well.
But for now, let’s see what turmeric coffee does for your health.
Turmeric Coffee: 7 Benefits
The year 2016 marked the beginning of the turmeric craze. It was everywhere – from food, smoothies, supplements to even coffee.
But to be fair, there’s a good reason behind the trend – this spice is so darn good.
And not just good, but healthy as well.
In fact, drinking turmeric coffee affects your body in several ways.
Let’s see why you should include turmeric in your morning routine.
Reduces inflammation
Turmeric has an old tradition of being used in Eastern medicine, especially Chinese and Ayurvedic. Its major component is curcumin, which is a type of polyphenol.
Now, polyphenols are reducing agents, also known as – antioxidants. And what they do is protect the boy tissue from oxidative stress, which can cause, among other things, inflammation.
Well, turmeric has a strong antioxidant game. Curcumin is powerful enough to combat chronic inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis. That’s why you often see turmeric supplements used to treat joint pain.
But that’s not the only chronic condition it helps with. Turmeric’s antioxidant properties also help to control inflammation, cell growth, and cell death. That’s why it’s believed it has the potential to treat other chronic conditions like cancer or Alzheimer’s as well.
Supports weight loss
Now, I’m not saying that drinking turmeric coffee is the secret to amazing weight loss. But including it in your diet can definitely help with losing pounds.
You see, even coffee itself can help with that. As you know, caffeine is a nervous system stimulant. It blocks a neurotransmitter called adenosine, thus increasing the release of certain hormones.
Among them is adrenaline, which sends signals to fat cells to break down the reserves inside them.
When you add turmeric into the equation, losing weight seems even easier.
Now, turmeric doesn’t do the same thing as caffeine. Instead, it complements it with different effects to support weight control.
First, scientists believe that turmeric may suppress particular inflammatory markers that cause obesity. That way, it also helps retain lost weight.
Furthermore, turmeric also increases adiponectin levels, a hormone that regulates your metabolism. That could be the possible answer to why turmeric makes it hard to regain what you’ve lost.
But we also can’t forget its anti-inflammatory effects and how they help weight loss. Well, sore muscles are no one’s cup of tea, right?
Well, turmeric coffee can help you deal with inflammation and continue with your workout plan.
Gives you a nutritional boost
The great thing about coffee is that, while it has practically no calories, it contains a number of nutrients.
Coffee itself contains potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, folate, and choline.
Turmeric, on the other hand, contains calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamin C.
So when you mix these two together, you get a very powerful drink. It doesn’t add up to your daily calories, but it gives you a nice nutritional boost of vitamins and minerals.
But remember, don’t go overboard with turmeric coffee.
A recommended daily dose of turmeric is one teaspoon, so turmeric coffee isn’t something you can drink all day. Plus, you shouldn’t drink more than 400 milligrams of caffeine each day either. So you can’t go ham with that, either.
May improve your mood
If you love coffee as much as the next guy, a warm cup is your perfect morning ritual. So that alone gives you a bit of serotonin to get your day started.
But adding some turmeric powder can do a better job of lifting your mood.
No, this is not a marketing gimmick.
Several studies showed that curcumin may have an antidepressant-like activity. Now, why it works is still up for debate, but this compound has been shown to reduce anxiety and the length of depressive episodes.
With that being said, it’s in no way a miracle treatment. And I’m not saying that drinking turmeric coffee puts pink glasses on your head. But it has that “something” that can make you feel a bit brighter.
May improve heart health
Turmeric is amazing for heart health on so many levels.
First, it helps with blood thinning, thus preventing thrombosis and hemostasis.
It also improves the lining of the blood vessels. Doing so helps with regulating blood pressure and blood sugar.
Finally, turmeric can also lower your bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Now, we can argue how much turmeric coffee can actually help with cardiovascular diseases. After all, you’re only drinking a small amount at a time. Still, it can definitely be a good addition to the diet for those dealing with such health issues.
May relieve stomach discomfort
I know, coffee itself can cause stomach discomfort. Coffee acids can be harsh on the stomach, especially when coffee is the first thing you ingest.
But turmeric can help with that.
According to research, turmeric is shown to relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. These include:
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Cramps
So, in a way, turmeric counters those potential negative effects of drinking coffee.
Helps with allergies
Do you get a stuffy nose as soon as spring comes?
Well, once again, turmeric comes to the rescue.
Apparently, curcumin prevents mast cells from releasing histamine, thus preventing allergic reactions.
I’d say it’s too good to be true had I not tried it. And really, turmeric does such a great job at that.
So, when you’re dealing with seasonal allergies, drinking turmeric coffee each day can keep your symptoms at bay.
A Delicious Recipe for Turmeric Coffee
Did you get cravings from all that turmeric talk? I surely did.
So, let’s make turmeric coffee at home.
Now, I need to make one thing clear – turmeric coffee and turmeric latte aren’t the same thing. In fact, the latter actually has no coffee. The name comes from a mere visual and textural resemblance to a latte.
If you’re wondering about the flavor, here’s what to expect. Turmeric coffee has a warm and earthy flavor with mild notes of spices. You want to be light with your hand when adding turmeric, as adding too much can make it too bitter.
Alright, let’s start making. Here’s what you need:
- 1 shot espresso
- 1 cup plant-based milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon ginger ground
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Black pepper
- Honey to taste
When it comes to milk, you can choose whatever you prefer, almond, coconut, macadamia…
However, keep in mind that not all types of plant-based milk froth the same way. Soy, oat, and almond are the best when it comes to foam consistency and creamy texture.
Still, frothing them takes a bit more time, so be patient.
As for making turmeric coffee, here’s what to do, step by step:
- Make one shot of espresso and pour it into a tall glass. If you don’t own an espresso machine, you can use a Moka pot for this recipe. You’ll get coffee of similar texture and strength suitable for this turmeric coffee.
- Froth your plant-based milk of choice.
- Add the spices into the glass with espresso and give it a good swirl. This should mix the spices in and turn your coffee golden in color.
- Turmeric coffee can be a bit bitter, but you can add some honey to make it sweeter.
- Pour frothed milk on top.
- Sprinkle some cinnamon on top.
And that’s pretty much it.
Turmeric Coffee Recipe
Equipment
- Espresso maker (or Moka pot)
- Tall glass
Ingredients
- 1 shot espresso
- 1 cup plant-based milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon teaspoon ginger ground
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- black pepper
- honey to taste
Instructions
- Make one shot of espresso and pour it into a tall glass.
- Froth your plant-based milk of choice.
- Add the spices into the glass with espresso and give it a good swirl.
- Pour milk on top.
- Add some honey to make it sweeter.
- Sprinkle some cinnamon on top.
To Sum Things Up
There you have it – all the health benefits of turmeric coffee.
Turmeric is an antioxidant, so it helps our bodies in numerous ways. From fighting free radicals to boosting our immunity, there are many reasons why turmeric coffee can be healthy.
However, you shouldn’t drink more than one cup of turmeric coffee per day. Consuming more than recommended can make you feel nauseous and upset your stomach.
So, like any coffee, drink in moderation.
Does putting mayo in coffee actually work? Here’s our article that elaborates on this weird trend.
