Turmeric tea is well-known for its medicinal uses in the Asian and Indian cultures. And it has been used for centuries.
Turmeric tea is prepared from the root of the turmeric plant, which is where all the beneficial substances and health properties of this plant are hidden.
By making sure we understand how and when to use turmeric tea, we can ensure that we take advantage of all of its health benefits.
This is why in this article, I will go into more detail when and how to make the best out of your favorite cup of turmeric tea.
And just in case turmeric tea is not your favorite cup, well, that’s okay. Keep reading, and I am sure it will be worth your while to change your opinion.
What Makes Turmeric Tea Good?
Turmeric tea has an array of different properties that can boost and improve our health in various ways.
Turmeric has been used for centuries in order to treat various ailments, and it is also a part of the Ayurveda medicinal principles. But what exactly is making it so good?
All the health claims are as a result of the curcumin that is found in turmeric. It may be interesting to point out that curcumin is actually a type of polyphenol, and it belongs to the ginger family.
It is very likely that you have heard something about polyphenols.
There are different types of them, and they have antioxidant properties. They can improve our health in many ways. And we will actually get to that in a bit.
Curcumin is also responsible for one more thing: the bright yellow color of turmeric tea.
Is There a Best Time of the Day to Drink Turmeric Tea?
There are no hard and fast rules about when you need to drink turmeric tea.
You can drink it any time during the day whenever you feel like drinking it.
However, many people will drink turmeric tea because of its potential and numerous health benefits.
So is there a more specific time where if you drink it you will be to get the most out of it? The answer is going to be, yes, there is.
A Notable Disadvantage
So the biggest disadvantage of turmeric tea is that the curcumin normally has low rates of absorption by the body. It is metabolized by the liver and the intestines so fast that your body doesn’t have time to break down and fully take advantage of its beneficial properties.
What we need is to find a way to help our body absorb as much of it as possible.
This is definitely an area which scientists have yet to research. So I decided to dig a little and do some research on when it is recommended to take turmeric and curcumin supplements in order to absorb them better. And from there we will make a connection with the turmeric tea.
What experts recommend is to take curcumin three or more hours after or before eating. If our body is in a fasted state, it will be able to absorb higher amounts of curcumin.
Additionally, the fact that turmeric tea doesn’t contain any caffeine in it – unlike most of the ‘true’ teas – is making it even suitable for a relatively late night tea.
Turmeric is not associated with causing hyperactivity. It also doesn’t have significant energy-boosting capabilities, unlike black tea, for example.
However, there is some data online that points out taking high doses of turmeric can lead to very high levels of heart rhythm and palpitations. So make sure you drink it in moderation.
Should You Drink Turmeric Tea Before or After a Meal?
The first thing we need to establish is when in relation to your meal, it is best to drink turmeric tea. Here’s what I found while doing my research.
So far, we know that fasting seems to improve the rates of curcumin absorption in our body.
What this means for you is that the best time to drink your turmeric tea is going to be after about three hours after your last meal. It is also recommended to wait at least an hour before eating again.
This can easily be done during the day or early in the morning before having your breakfast as your body is already in a fasted state when you wake up.
So naturally, we may ask the next question:
Can You Drink Turmeric Tea on an Empty Stomach?
Usually, the body gets into a fasted state 8 to 12 hours after you have had your last meal.
And most of us typically sleep or at least should sleep about 8 hours a night. This automatically means that you are most likely in a fasted state when you wake up.
So drinking turmeric tea in the morning on an empty stomach can be very beneficial. And doing so is generally considered safe.
However, keep in mind that depending on individual predispositions and sensitivity, some people may feel discomfort or stomach upset.
If that happens, stop drinking the tea on an empty stomach. You can also combine it with a small breakfast snack or a toast.
I, for example, am not reacting very good to drinking tea early in the morning because I tend to get extremely hungry almost immediately. So I know that if I drink my tea on an empty stomach, I better have something to eat as soon as possible.
Can You Drink Turmeric Tea at Night?
There are no ingredients found in turmeric tea that will necessarily reduce the quality or quantity of your sleep.
Conversely, there are some anecdotal reports of people experiencing poor sleep quality after administering turmeric tea late at night.
The important thing here is to keep that in mind.
You may not be sensitive to it, but others may be.
If you really want to drink turmeric tea before bed, make sure to keep an eye on how well you sleep after that. If you notice any sleep disturbances, try stopping it and see if there will be any improvements.
Can I Drink Turmeric Tea When I Want to Lose Weight?
As we will see in a bit, there are many different reasons to drink turmeric tea. However, one of the most common questions I get is whether turmeric tea has any known weight loss properties.
Unfortunately, turmeric tea doesn’t have any direct effect on weight loss.
However, it does have several other ways in which it may indirectly help you on your weight loss journey.
- It can help your digestion;
- It can reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels;
- It can regulate the blood sugar levels; and
- It can increase bile production.
And let’s not forget that we can combine it with other ingredients and tea blends that can further accentuate its effects.
Proper dietary guidance and regular physical work are a vital part of any weight loss journey. Even though certain types of tea can promote weight loss, the overall effect is usually very small.
All You Need to Know When to Drink Turmeric Tea
Now let’s take a look under what circumscriptions it is worth drinking turmeric tea.
1. When Suffering from Joint Problems
If you are suffering from arthritis, this is a good time to drink turmeric tea. Here’s why.
Turmeric tea has anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce swelling and pain in people suffering from arthritis.
One study pointed out that curcumin in turmeric has great potential in treating many inflammatory diseases, including osteoarthritis.
However, the scientists acknowledged that its efficacy was limited to its low bioavailability and low solubility.
And another study discovered that 29% of the people surveyed used turmeric to treat their rheumatoid arthritis.
2. When Dealing with High Ldl Cholesterol
Scientists have discovered that even low doses of curcumin can have a positive impact on one’s cholesterol levels.
What they discovered as a result of the curcumin intake was a reduction in the levels of LDL and total cholesterol.
And this is exactly what experts like to see.
LDL cholesterol is also known as the ‘bad’ cholesterol, and reducing its levels is associated with less chance of developing heart disease, stroke, and overall all-cause mortality.
3. When You Want to Boost Your Immune System
Winter is the perfect time of the year to drink turmeric tea. It can boost and strengthen your immune system.
The natural ingredients found in turmeric tea are making it a powerful anti-inflammatory and antiviral tea that can offer a helping hand if you have caught the flu.
Pairing your tea with other ingredients like lemon and ginger can turn your cup of tea into a strong remedy for flu.
4. When You Are Suffering from Hay fever
The dreaded hay fever has actually been afflicting millions of people in the United States alone.
The worst thing is that it doesn’t just restrict itself to one particular time of the year. It can happen during the spring, early autumn, or late winter too.
Curcumin has shown a positive impact on reducing hay fever symptoms.
So if it is that time of the year and you are suffering from excessive sneezing, itchy nose, or congestion a nice big cup of turmeric tea may be able to alleviate these symptoms for you.
5. When Suffering from Low Mood and Depression
Curcumin consumption has shown powerful signs in potentially improving one’s mood. If you are feeling a bit under the weather or depressed a warm cup of turmeric tea may be what you need.
A study discovered that curcumin could have natural antidepressant properties.
This happens because it manages to increase certain chemicals like serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine. All of these affect how we feel and perceive pleasure and pain
Another study performed on rats showed that curcumin consumption might reduce cortisol levels, too.
6. If You Are Suffering From Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is getting more and more common nowadays.
This is a real concern as it can cause a number of serious health complications and issues. It is often caused by obesity, type II diabetes, increased insulin resistance, and more.
Experts have found out that regular intake of turmeric extract can prevent and reduce the fat built-up around the liver for people that are suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
7. When You Are Suffering from Stomach Ulcers
There are studies which suggest that long-term turmeric intake may be able to improve the symptoms associated with stomach ulcers.
However, they are relatively inconclusive, so more research needs to be done.
8. When You Want to Improve Your Brain Health
The curcumin found in turmeric has been shown to have some potentially strong and beneficial effects on brain health by stimulating the formation of new neurons and neuron connections.
By doing this, it may mitigate or even reverse some age-related brain diseases and improve brain function.
The potential benefits are there; however, more studies need to be done in order to confirm that fully.
9. May Help in Preventing Cancer
Different studies done in the field show that the curcumin found in turmeric may be able to fight some types of cancers and relieving the symptoms and side effects in people that are doing chemotherapy.
10. When You Have Herpes
Curcumin has potent antibacterial properties.
In one study, curcumin intake led to inhibition of the replication of the herpes simplex virus and even improving the recovery time after an outbreak.
Another study showed that curcumin intake might even help in preventing the growth of human papillomavirus.
How to Prepare Turmeric Tea
As you saw, turmeric tea may be used in many different circumstances, and it has a vast range of potential health benefits that people have been taking advantage of for years.
Many of the studies done are not just on turmeric tea but on turmeric powder as well. And this doesn’t necessarily mean they are that much different. And here’s why.
Turmeric tea is prepared from turmeric powder or finely ground dried turmeric which will be the most potent and effective.
You can also get turmeric tea in tea bags. Depending on the quality of the tea bags, this can also be a good way to administer your tea, although, admittedly, it may lead to a lower concentration of curcumin.
Using pure and freshly ground turmeric tea is the best way to enjoy a real turmeric tea and fully experience its unique flavor.
Turmeric tea preparation is very easy and only takes a few steps:
- For a regular 8oz cup of water use about a quarter to a half of a teaspoon of freshly ground turmeric powder;
- Bring the water to a low boil or simmer for about 10 minutes; and
- Finally, strain the tea and give it a few minutes to cool down before drinking it.
If you are interested in exploring some new flavors and tastes Here are some popular ingredients that people like to add to their turmeric tea.
Some of these actually have a specific purpose and reason to be used. And we will come to that in a bit.
- Creamers or whole milk;
- Honey or sugar;
- Lemon or lime juice;
- Ginger; and
- Black pepper.
How Much Turmeric Tea Is Too Much?
There is no official data on how much is the maximum safe intake of turmeric.
There is a general guideline for curcumin intake, which is about 1.3 mg per pound of body weight. For example, a 154 lbs person can take about 200.2 mg of curcumin.
Conversely, several studies showed that even significantly higher curcumin intake had shown no adverse effects.
As a reference point, in a teaspoon of freshly ground turmeric, you will generally have about 200 mg of curcumin.
How Can We Increase the Bioavailability of Curcumin?
One of the downsides of curcumin is that our body is able to absorb only a small percentage of it. This is also known as bioavailability.
So when we drink our turmeric tea not all of the curcumin in it is going to be absorbed by our body and a significant percentage is more likely to be just wasted away.
Despite the low absorption levels of curcumin, scientists have managed to find some interesting ways to fix that.
Adding Healthy Fats
There is data suggesting that curcumin absorption is increased when consumed in combination with foods that contain fat.
This means that you can try to pair your cup of tea with some healthy sources of fat like avocados, whole milk, coconut milk, almond, milk, or ghee butter.
Using Black Pepper
Another way to increase curcumin absorption is with black pepper, which increases the absorption of curcumin by 2,000%.
Does that mean that you have to drink your tea with black pepper? I am not sure how many of you will like it.
But there is nothing stopping you from pairing your cup of turmeric tea in the morning with a nice avocado and black pepper toast.
Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27356682
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