FIGHT INFLAMMATION WITH THIS TURMERIC AND LEMON MORNING ELIXIR

Starting the day with your morining routine may suit your needs just fine.  A bit of yoga, maybe meditation, a shower, a healthy breakfast with orgainc coffee, and then out the door.  Does this sound familiar?  If so, your morning routine is already exceptional.  But we have a mighty elixir that can compliment your regimen wonderfully.

You may have heard that warm lemon water will get those pipes working in the morning and optimize your health.  You may even drink warm lemon water with Himalayan salt, or warm lemon water with honey in the morning. However, have you heard of warm water combined with honey, cinnamon, and the most essential ingredient to this morning elixir, turmeric?  If you have yet to try this one, you may be missing out on an excellent way to begin your day. All-natural lemon and turmeric are especially powerful ingredients that boast a wealth of beneficial properties.

Lemons offer a tasty, tart flavor with many health-promoting properties. According to a study published in the Chemistry Central Journal (2015), lemons possess a treasure trove of natural metabolites.  The study authors state, "Citrus fruits exhibit plentiful boiactivities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antimicrobial and anti-allergy activities, as well as cardiovascular effect, neuroprotective effect, hepatoprtective effect, obesity control, etc."  Lemons are indeed a healthy ingredient to enjoy at the beginning of the day.  However, when you couple lemon with turmeric, your health and wellness benefits increase significantly.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a yellow-orange spice that is part of the ginger faminly.  Native to tropical South Asia, turmeric is well know in traditional Asian medicine and cuisine.  More recently, its health benefits have been recognized in Western medicine.  According to a study published in the journal of Nephropathology (2012), "Turmeric, a neglected Asian traditional drug might reemerge as remedy and/or preventive tool for various illnesses including different types of cancers, obesity, type-2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, CKD (chronic kidney disease) and ESRD (end stage renal disease), which are steadily increasing globally, claiming many lives and tremendous amout of resources worldwide."

One active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, has been the focus of several academic studies.

Curcumin may alleviate inflammation:  According to research from the Department of Stomatology at the University of California, San Francisco, curcumin possesses anti-inflammatory properties.  The research, published in the journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2004), found that curcumin, "may exert its anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition of a number of different molecules that play a role in inflammation."

Curcumin's anticancer potential:  Curcumin may play a vital role in cancer prevention, according to a study published inb BioMed Research International (2014).  Previous research has highlighted curcumin's antioxidant, antibacterial and antitumor properties, according to the study, which concluded, "Curcumin, a vital constituent of the spice turmeric, is an alternative approach in the prevention of cancer."

Therapeutic application of curcumin:  According to a review study published in the AAPS journal (2013), "curcumin has shown therapeutic potential against a number of human diseases," including multiple types of cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, peptic ulcers, psoriasis, H. pylori infection, Alzheimer's disease, acute coronary syndrome, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and respiratory tract infections.

The Turmeric and Lemon Morning Elixir--1 serving--Prep Time- 5 minutes

Ingredients
1/2 of a lemon, squeezed for juice
1/4-1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp honey (locally if possible)
1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
1 cup warm water, and/or coconut milk (the coconut milk adds healthy fats, and helps absorption of turmeric)

Mix the lemon juice, turmeric and honey into your cup of warm water or milk. You will want to stir these ingredients well.  Add cinnamon on top and continue to stir your morning elixir as you drink it--this will ensure that the turmeric does not settle at the bottom of your cup.

Turmeric with its main active ingredient, curcumin, may be that one healthy addition to your morning routine you've been looking for, and can help you fight inflammation in your body.  Enjoy!!

​thenutritionwatchdog.com