Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory powerhouse. In traditional Indian Ayurveda, turmeric root is used to manage pain, fatigue, respiratory problems—you name it!
Since Wonder FUEL was born from this tradition, combining the wonderful benefits of turmeric with the clean, no-sugar-added energy of MCT’s was a no-brainer.
In this post, we’ll explore just why turmeric is so powerful, and why a magical drink called Golden Milk helps unlock its secrets.
Little Root, Big Punch
The turmeric we know and love comes from a rhizome, or root, and looks a little like whole ginger. In fact, they’re in the same family! Turmeric’s skin is brown and knobby, but inside the flesh is a signature bright orange.
When dried into a powder, this bright golden substance is commonly used to season curries and other Indian dishes. It tastes a bit earthy, but the flavor is relatively mild. You’re most likely to notice turmeric in dishes because of their vibrant hue. Just think about your favorite Indian curry powder!
But it turns out turmeric is so much more than a pretty color.
This little root is a highly concentrated source of anti-inflammatory compounds called curcuminoids. Research shows curcuminoids reduce inflammation, and they’ve been studied in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, cancer, arthritis, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel disease, diabetes and many other chronic conditions.
This research is borne out by traditional Ayurvedic principles, which rely on turmeric’s medicinal properties to heal a variety of conditions. In some cases, a paste is even made from turmeric to help heal skin conditions. This is versatile stuff!
Scientists think curcumin works by modulating the way our cells signal to each other and inhibiting inflammatory compounds. It may be taken by mouth or in the form of a concentrated curcumin pill, although other uses have been the subject of scientific research as well.
And, unlike many the anti-inflammatory drugs you might pick up at the pharmacy, turmeric has very few, if any, side effects. This makes it a great alternative to traditional pain management techniques. Just make sure you check with your doctor before making any changes to your routine!
Turmeric can add a subtle spice to many dishes, and if you’re just looking to increase your overall wellness, this might be enough. But to really see benefits, it’s often important to include turmeric at much higher doses than are possible with a bottle of the spice.
Since cooking with turmeric might not help you get enough curcuminoids into your diet, we can turn to Ayurveda for another solution!
The Golden Secret
Though you could easily start dumping turmeric all over your food, this might not be the best (or most cost effective) strategy for healing.
To truly maximize the healing powers of turmeric, consider combining it with a cocktail of synergistic nutrients. Synergistic nutrients work together to increase each other’s potential, and combining them is the key to unlocking turmeric’s magic!
According to the tradition of Ayurveda, herbs and spices like ginger, black pepper and cardamom work together to increase the absorption of turmeric and to promote your body’s use of this healing spice.
Bonus: these ingredients taste amazing together, and can provide a focused way to work more beneficial spices into your diet.
The most common synergistic preparation of turmeric is in a “Golden Milk.” Don’t let the name fool you: Golden Milk is usually built around a base of non-dairy coconut milk (yum!) and delivers a big hit of helpful curcuminoids along with a comforting, creamy flavor.
Because of the blend of spices in Golden Milk, you might recognize the flavor; it’s very similar to chai. In fact, like Match and Cold Brew Coffee, Golden Milk is gaining popularity in the wellness world as savvy consumers catch on to its amazing benefits.
A warm cup of Golden Milk is a fantastic way to wind down after a busy day!
We love this recipe from Epicurious for homemade Golden Milk Turmeric Tea, which uses whole spices for a synergistic kick.
Making your own Golden Milk is a great way to maximize your intake of turmeric. But many of us don’t have time to devote to sourcing, buying and cooking these powerful ingredients. Since Wonder FUEL is all about helping you get “FUELLY” charged with minimal effort, we knew we had to make it simpler to pack in the power of curcumin.
Wonder FUEL’s Powerful Turmeric Combo
If you’ve already tried our incredible no-sugar-added Coffee and Original flavors, you know just how simple it can be to fuel your day with MCT’s. These medium-chain fats bypass glucose production for sustained energy.
We source our MCT’s from sustainable coconuts, never palm oil, and all our recipes are inspired by traditional Ayurvedic principles. So, it’s no wonder that we chose to include our own very special Golden Milk recipe in our line of ready-to-drink Wonder FUEL bottles!
Our Turmeric Golden Milk includes coconut concentrate and cream, MCT’s, and turmeric, ginger, vanilla, cardamom, black pepper and quillaja extracts plus a little Himalayan pink salt.
And of course, we never add sugar! It’s the most delicious take on golden milk, but it’s ready to pack in your gym bag, purse or backpack for busy days.
And, since Wonder FUEL already skips added sugars in favor of long-burning fats (not to mention is Vegan, Paleo and Keto-Friendly!), it’s the perfect anti-inflammatory addition to any healthy diet. It’s an excellent alternative to your morning coffee, but we also love heating it up before bed for a traditional warm Golden Milk that skips the prep time!
Staying FUEL’d with Golden Milk
When you’re working turmeric into your routine, it’s important to remember that synergistic spices can help with absorption, allowing you to amplify its effects. Mix up your own Golden Milk or grab one of our Turmeric Golden Milk bottles and you’ll be good to go.
We love finding new ways for you to live FUELLY charged without added sugar! No matter how you choose to incorporate turmeric into your routine, we know you’ll be blown away by this powerful little spice.