Turmeric comes from the root of the Curcuma plant, a part of the Ginger family. This entire family of plants has iconic medicinal benefits, and Turmeric is slowly becoming appreciated worldwide as an anti-inflammatory super spice.
Originally used as a dye and spice, turmeric has been a regular part of Eastern diets for over 4000 years. Long before lab studies proved its effectiveness, this potent spice’s healing power has been well documented and even earned it religious acclaim.
It turns out, old plant medicines were likely a lot closer to the truth than we initially gave them credit for, and the western world is starting to respect this yellow-golden spice as much as ancestral healers.
Turmeric’s Secret Weapon - Curcumin
We wouldn’t blame you if you had trouble differing between Curcumin and Tumeric. They both come from the Curcuma root, and if you said they are the same thing, technically, you’d be correct.
Turmeric is full of curcuminoids, one of which is Curcumin. Curcuminoids only make up 2-10% of any scoop of turmeric, but it is considered Tumeric’s active ingredient. So, while they are not the exact same substance, you can’t have curcumin without turmeric, and you can’t have turmeric without curcumin.
So, Why did we Decide to use Turmeric in växa bars?
We pack our bars with nothing but healthy ingredients that are healthy and naturally delicious. As we spoke with nutritionists, athletes, and food scientists, it became abundantly clear that we needed to incorporate Turmeric into our snacks.
Several modern doctors are starting to recommend daily doses of the yellow powder, and it's becoming both a supplement cabinet and spice rack staple recognized for far more uses than adding to a tasty curry.
This ancient medicinal spice is full of vitamins and minerals, and new evidence suggests it also boosts the brain's neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine levels.
That adds up to a whole lot of goodness! Let’s take a closer look at this golden spice and show you why växa considers Turmeric a fundamental part of our healthy alternative to snack time.
Turmeric is Anti-Inflammatory
Turmerics anti-inflammatory medicinal beneifts are well recorded and is the key ingredient that elevated it from a fringe nutrient to a worldwide wonder. Chinese traditional medicine has recognized the plant’s ability to treat acute injuries, arthritis, and other chronic pains.
You can’t expect the powder to cure your arthritis, but Turmeric may help prevent its development and reduce it’s negative effects. To this day, Turmeric is frequently cited as a long-term treatment option for chronic joint pain.
Even if you’re not currently experiencing joint pain, reducing inflammation can have a host of other benefits in the short and long term. Reducing inflammation increases your mood, helps in the fight against obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, while improving your bodies ability to fight illness and recover faster.
We’re not quite advocating for you to reach for a turmeric tablet instead of a Tylenol next time you have a headache, this incredible supplement is certainly more healthy for you in the long run than artificial anti-inflammatory medicines.
As part of a healthy and balanced diet that includes plenty of exercise, it’s not rediculous to think that this super spice could address the underlying causes that have us reaching for pain medication in the first place.
Antioxidant
Foods exceptionally high in antioxidants are on the fast track to superfood status, and this golden spice certainly qualifies. Curcumin’s potent antioxidant properties work against free radicals, molecules that actively cause damage to the body's cells while turmeric boosts antioxidant enzymes to provide a significant antioxidizing benefit.
Turmerics' unique combination of anti-inflammatory and antioxidizing benefits plays a part in preventing and managing heart disease by improving blood pressure.
Ayurvedic Medicine Staple
One of the world’s oldest holistic medicine practices, Ayurveda seeks to cultivate a healthy balance between mind, body, and spirit. For millenia, turmeric has ranked as a key tenet to the health system. Ayurvedic medicine pracitioners believe this vibrant plant medicine increases energy, improves digestion, relieves arthritis, and can help relieve symptoms of menstruation, amongst myriad other benefits.
Many eastern Asian countries still consider Ayurverdas natural system of medicine as efficient at curing modern illnesses as any Western or Chinese medicine.
There are certainly pros and cons to the Ayurverda belief system, but when you combine their truths with scientific studies that have come to the same conclusion, Ayurveda's reverence of turmeric is no myth.
Brain Food
The jury is still out, but subtle signs may be pointing to some serious cerebral benefits from this spice. Chinese medicine practices have been using Tumeric to battle depression for centuries.
Controlled trials in the west have declared that curcumin can bring similar assistance to someone suffering from depression as Prozac - without the side effects!
It’s an incredibly bold claim, and much more research is required before any doctor will prescribe Tumeric to battle depression. Still, no one pill can magically cure such a taxing disease, and because of the multitude of other health benefits, it can’t hurt to make turmeric a part of your diet.
Studies have also begun to explore turmeric’s role in preventing Alzheimer's. Many in the medical community have pointed to one extreme stat as evidence; The occurrence of Alzheimers in patients aged 70 to 79 in India, where turmeric is practically as common as salt, is 1/4th that of the United States.
There are plenty of other factors that could play a part in that extraordinary difference, but its a great indicator that we should be taking a closer look at turmeric role.
Scientists do know within reasonable doubt that any anti-inflammatory will do wonders for the long-term health of your brain, and curcumin has also shown itself ready to reduce the build-up of harmful protein tangles and battle oxidative damage. These properties are essential pillars of any functioning brain.
While there is no such thing as a cure for depression or Alzheimer’s, this little supplement is starting to drop some serious hints that it could play an essential role in promoting a healthy brain.
How to Get More Turmeric In Your Diet
The studies have added up to one clear-cut conclusion: everyone could benefit from a few milligrams of Tumeric in their daily routine. Nutritionists routinely recommend around 500 MG’s of Tumeric in its powdered form - daily!
There is no need to go turmeric happy and put it on every meal, but finding a few new ways to sneak urmeric into your foods can’t hurt. The spice is best paired with black pepper to improve turmerics bioavailability.
Smoothies -
One scoop or a few shakes is all it takes to get your daily fix. Adding a spoon of turmeric to your existing smoothie recipes won’t noticeably alter the flavor, but it will elevate your snack to a superfood.
Soups -
Summer may be coming, but there is always room on my menu for varied soups! It’s the most versatile genre in the kitchen and combining turmeric, anis, and cloves with a yummy broth is a recipe for success no matter the veggies added.
Rice -
Traditional yellow rice can often feel like an entirely different grain than white rice, but all it is is some jasmine rice with turmeric or curry powder added. Sautee some turmeric, garlic, and onion in the same pot you plan on cooking rice, and activate those yummy flavors before adding in the rice for a unique take on a classic base.
Curry -
You won’t have to go out of your way to get more turmeric added to your curries. Curry powder is often a combination of turmeric, cumin, ginger, and black pepper.
The powder is delicious for making Indian curries, but it’s also yummy to add to roasted potatoes or even mixing up popcorn.
Roasted Veggies -
Spice up any sauteed or roasted veggies by adding turmeric into the mix. With a bit of olive oil and sea salt, Turmeric adds a splash of color to your veggies and will only heighten their flavor.
Tea Time -
Ayurvedic medicine often suggests turmeric and ginger tea to battle any feelings of illness or just give your body a boost. We find the soothing combination is the best right before bed!
Växa bars!
If you ask us, there’s no better snack to get a healthy dose of all the goodness your body needs. Our Orange Turmeric bars bring an instant immune system boost and combine it with an upbeat citrus flavor to serve all your body's wants and needs.
These two essential ingredients combine with loads of organic seeds, syrups, and butters to bring together a delicious plant-based nutrition bar capable of providing 7 Grams of protein and an all-natural deliciousness.