Both belonging to the Zingiberaceae family,1 ginger and turmeric are usually either compared or wrongly interchanged with each other. However, the popularity of turmeric as a superfood has been snowballing through the years, with numerous scientific studies focusing on the active compounds the root contains.
This spice has been used since ancient times, dating as far back as 4,000 years ago. It was primarily utilized to combat different conditions brought on by inflammation.2 Nowadays, turmeric is widely available in stores and health shops, whether fresh or incorporated into numerous products, one of the most popular being turmeric tea.
Turmeric tea may be used to alleviate numerous conditions and assist in the treatment of many others. To learn more about this tea, its benefits, nutrition facts and correct storage, continue reading this article.
What Is Turmeric Tea?
You've probably seen the bright yellow-orange powder during one of your trips to the grocery store. With its striking color, it's hard to miss this spice. But aside from its eye-catching appearance, the reasons you should be attracted to this spice shouldn't stop there.
Turmeric, dubbed as "the golden spice,"3 is one of the most beneficial spices in the culinary world, which is largely due to the astounding amounts of curcumin it contains, its principal bioactive component.4 According to a 2017 study published in the journal Foods, curcumin contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may assist in alleviating arthritis, metabolic syndrome and hyperlipidemia.5
This spice can be added to numerous recipes to boost both the flavor and the nutritional content, but one of the easiest ways to add turmeric into your diet is by brewing turmeric tea. Turmeric is available in the market as fresh root, turmeric tea bags or as powder, all of which can be used to brew tea. Opting for fresh turmeric root allows you to extract as many nutrients as you can.
Three Potential Health Benefits You May Get From Turmeric Tea
Aside from being a soothing drink, turmeric tea offers numerous healthy components and nutrients. Drinking turmeric tea will provide you with a plethora of health benefits, some of which include:
• Helps alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis — According to a 2017 study from the Journal Of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, turmeric-containing products were found to significantly improve pain, stiffness and functionality difficulties in patients with osteoarthritis.6
A 2016 study from Drug Design, Development and Therapy showed that curcuminoids and curcumin extracts helped alleviate pain and improved both physical function and quality of life.7
• May help improve behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer's and dementia — A 2012 study from Ayu found that the daily administration of turmeric to Alzheimer's disease and dementia patients helped reduce irritability, agitation, anxiety, apathy and other Alzheimer's disease symptoms.8
• Provides an immune system boost — According to a 2018 study from the Journal of Cellular Physiology, curcumin affects numerous immune cells, including natural killer cells and B lymphocytes, supporting the body against immune system-related diseases.9
Caffeine Content in Turmeric Tea
If you're sensitive to caffeine, the good news is that turmeric tea does not contain any.10 In fact, drinking turmeric tea may even help alleviate symptoms of sleep deprivation. A 2008 animal study published in Phytomedicine showed that curcumin extracts helped shield mice from oxidative damage and behavior alterations brought on by sleep deprivation.11
Here's How You Can Make Your Own Turmeric Tea
If you want to reap the benefits of turmeric tea, here's how you can brew it at home:
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 to 2 teaspoons ground, grated or powdered turmeric
Procedure
- Add ground turmeric to boiling water.
- Simmer the mixture for about 10 minutes.
- Strain the tea into a teapot. Allow it to cool for five minutes. Serve.
(Recipe from Medical News Today12)
You can also try a tea combination of ginger and turmeric to benefit from the nutritional components of both of these roots. Here's a recipe you can follow:
Turmeric-Ginger Tea
Ingredient
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- Splash of grass fed organic milk
- Raw honey, to taste
Procedure
- Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan.
- Add the turmeric and ginger.
- Reduce heat and let simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Stir in milk. Strain tea into a cup.
- Add raw honey to taste. Serve hot.
(Recipe adapted from The Kitchn13)
How to Correctly Store Turmeric Tea
Turmeric tea is usually brewed using turmeric powder, which is made from ground dried turmeric root. The powder is widely available, and may be bought from numerous grocery stores and health food shops.
To correctly store turmeric powder without the risk of it clumping together or becoming stale, make sure that you keep it in an airtight, sealed container. Keep the container in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight or heat to keep it potent for a longer time.14
Side Effects of Turmeric Tea You Should Look Out For
While turmeric tea may help maintain good health, note that it can also cause detrimental side effects. These include the following:15
• Upset stomach — While turmeric tea or other turmeric products may assist digestion, it may also cause discomfort or problems by promoting gastric juice production. Large amounts of turmeric may also trigger gastrointestinal irritation.
• Blood thinning effects — Turmeric has blood-thinning properties, which may heighten your risk of bleeding. If you're currently on blood thinners or you're drinking other herbs with blood-thinning capabilities, consult with your doctor to ensure that adding turmeric tea into your diet is safe.
• Miscarriage — Pregnant women should avoid drinking turmeric tea as it may increase their risk of preterm birth or miscarriages. Consumption of turmeric may stimulate the uterus or promote a menstrual period.16
If you're planning on drinking turmeric tea or adding turmeric as a spice to your dishes, it's highly recommended that you consult a physician before doing so. This will help you avoid endangering either you or your child.
Take a Sip of Turmeric Tea and Enjoy Its Many Benefits
As a spice, turmeric offers some of the most impressive health components, and the increasing availability of it in the market is making it easier for people to reap its benefits. Hence, it's no surprise that turmeric tea offers the same health advantages.
If you're trying to live a healthier life, adding turmeric tea to your daily routine would be a great idea. Just make sure that you take all the factors into consideration to avoid its potential side effects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Turmeric Tea
Q: Where can I buy turmeric tea?
A: You can buy turmeric tea from numerous health food stores and online shops.17 The availability of this tea has been increasing in the market, as more and more people are finding out about turmeric's health benefits. While numerous countries require pesticide residue testing for turmeric to safeguard quality, it would still be best that you choose organic turmeric when loading up your supply.18
Q: How often should I drink turmeric tea?
A: It's important to note that turmeric tea is a potent drink. According to Organic Facts, limiting your intake to one cup each day may help you avoid its potential side effects.19 If you want to increase the amount, make sure that you consult a medical practitioner.
Q: Can I put plain turmeric powder in my tea?
A: Yes. There are numerous ways that you can add turmeric to your everyday drinks. You can add it to tea, coffee, milk or even shakes.20
Q: Can I use fresh turmeric for brewing tea?
A: You have the option of using turmeric powder, tea bags or raw, grated turmeric. The amount you use depends on your tea strength preference.21