A doctor has said that there is a “superfood” we need to add to our diets, and if you already do, you need to make sure you are doing it right. Taking to TikTok, the expert said it has many benefits and could reduce the risk of cancer.
In his video, The NHS F3 Doctor Arthur, aka @dr_arthur_, revealed this must try food is turmeric. He explains: “Turmeric is arguably one of the healthiest food you can eat, but you are probably eating it wrong.”
Calling it a “superfood” in the caption, he says that there is “one thing to never forget to eat with it”. Explaining the benefits of the spice, he warns that all you need to do is have a few pepper grinds to hand.
He said adding this common household staple can see you increase the benefits by as much as 2,000%.
Sharing this study, he says that it’s a “pretty good study that goes into pretty much every benefit of turmeric we know so far.” In the findings, published on the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the experts state that turmeric “has long been recognised for its medicinal properties, has received interest from both the medical/scientific world and from culinary enthusiasts, as it is the major source of the polyphenol curcumin.
“It aids in the management of oxidative and inflammatory conditions, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, anxiety, and hyperlipidemia. It may also help in the management of exercise-induced inflammation and muscle soreness, thus enhancing recovery and performance in active people.”
In addition to all of these benefits, the doctor says another study shows that the spice acts as an “anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial” food and “may even have anti-cancer properties.”
Noting an important point, he says : “Turmeric has no notable side-effects and no toxic levels which means even if the evidence wasn’t there for turmeric being so good, which it is, it’s not going to do you any harm to have anyway.
“And in one study when combined with two other ingredients, it can actually be more effective than naproxen for knee pain. The reason you’ve probably been taking it wrong is that it has terrible bioavailability which means it’s barely absorbed at all by the gut.
“However when you take it with black pepper, initial absorption which is very rubbish, increases by 2000% meaning 20 times more of the turmeric is absorbed into the body so the benefits can actually benefit you.” So the next time you are adding the spice to foods, like a curry, the doctor warns: “Make sure you have a few grains of pepper and and you will then get the benefits.”
The study published on NLM adds more good news, revealing “A relatively low dose of the complex can provide health benefits for people that do not have diagnosed health conditions. Most of these benefits can be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.”
Explaining the need for pepper, the study expands by saying: “Piperine is the major active component of black pepper and, when combined in a complex with curcumin, has been shown to increase bioavailability by 2000%. Curcumin combined with enhancing agents provides multiple health benefits.”
What can I make that has turmeric and black pepper in it?
Dr Punam Krishan, who frequently appears on BBC Morning Live has shared a drink she swears by for boosting her health. Not only is it delicious, but she describes it as having “healing powers” that can strengthen the immune system – and it has two of these key ingridients in it.
With cold and flu season in full swing, the Glasgow-based GP, says this is the ideal time to prepare her “mum’s trusted golden milk.” She calls it “a healing hug in a mug” and you can find the full recipe here.