If you've been interested in natural health for a little while, you'll probably know that turmeric has become famous for it's anti-inflammatory properties. But if you don't take turmeric in just the right way, it doesn't actually get digested and the vast majority of the benefits are missed out on?
The key to making sure turmeric actually gets absorbed into the body is to consume it with a small amount of black pepper. (Alternatively, it could also be consumed with piperine, a compound extracted from black pepper.) Just a tiny amount of black pepper can result in significantly better absorption of turmeric and the beneficial curcumin it contains. (Curcumin is the main bioactive substance in turmeric responsible for fighting inflammation at the cellular level.) This is why black pepper is also traditionally a common ingredient in curry and curry powder! Consuming turmeric with healthy fats, as is also traditionally done in Indian cuisine, will also help escort the cucurmin into the bloodstream.
How does this work? Even just a very small amount of black pepper stops the liver from eliminating the turmeric curcumin too quickly, allowing turmeric levels in the blood to significantly increase. Just 1/20th of a teaspoon of pepper can increase the bioavailability of turmeric by 2000%. On top of that, eating turmeric with healthy fats allows the curcumin to be absorbed through the lymphatic system and partially bypass the liver.
So it should come as no surprise that this is how turmeric is traditionally consumed- with black pepper and fat! Now that the turmeric has actually made it into the blood, watch the video above to learn about the incredible benefits of this radiant root!