Your Health in a Glass: Ginger Turmeric Tonic

Hello Friends!

As summer is quickly approaching here in south Florida and the temperatures are beginning to warm, I feel inspired to share my new favorite thirst-quenching drink that is overflowing with anti-inflammatory goodness: Ginger Turmeric Tonic!

Don’t let the name scare you! It’s not only refreshing and delicious, but it’s very easy to customize to your palate! This healthy drink is very simple to make and I promise you will feel energized and revitalized as the ginger and lemon juice add a great zing that is the perfect cure for an afternoon slump.

Lets take a look at some of the ingredient benefits!

Coconut water:

 I think there’s nothing more refreshing that chilled coconut water on a steamy day and it just so happens to be a natural weapon against dehydration as it’s liquid is packed with simple sugars, electrolytes, and minerals.

Coconut water contains five essential electrolytes– calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and sodium, thus not only is it nutritionally rich, but if you have a digestive disorder and suffer from diarrhea, coconut water is a great way to replenish electrolyte deficiency in the body.  On average coconut water has twice as much potassium and five times less processed sugar than the majority of sports drinks on the market. So think twice before grabbing that Gatorade! It also has many naturally occurring bioactive enzymes, which aid in digestion and metabolism, so I highly recommend incorporating into your diet especially if you are suffer from digestive distress.

I highly recommend you try Taste Nirvana, this is my favorite brand which is all natural and preservative free!

Ginger:

For centuries ginger has been used for its medicinal properties. Of particular interest to me is it’s ability to reduce inflammation and relieve digestive problems due to it’s phenolic compounds, which help to calm gastrointestinal irritation.

It also contains several antioxidant compounds- gingerols, beta-carotene, capsaicin, curcumin and salicylate and it’s good source of potassium, magnesium and phosphorous. In a study published in Cancer Prevention Research, volunteer participants experienced decreased inflammation markers in the colon after taking a daily ginger supplement for one month. 

I actually have a morning ritual where I steep peeled and sliced ginger root in boiling water. I then add about a ½ tablespoon coconut oil and 1-2 teaspoons of honey. This combination not only wakes me up, but is very soothing for my stomach .

Lemon:

 Consuming lemon water is a natural method for detoxifying the body and facilitating digestive processes. According to Dr. Josh Axe, lemons promote the production of bile, which in turn regulates healthy digestive functions and stimulates the liver to remove toxins from the body. Thus similar to ginger, lemon is a natural remedy for stomach upset and indigestion. It’s also a great source of vitamin C, which is essential for a properly functioning immune system.

Fun fact: want to kick the coffee habit?! Lemons are known for their ability to naturally boost energy levels without experiencing a caffeine crash!

Turmeric Root:

Curcumin, the primary compound of Turmeric is powerful anti-inflammatory agent. In fact in a recent study, mice given curcumin were protected from developing colitis! This is just one of several recent studies that show this compound may serve as effective treatment for  inflammatory bowl disease, crohn’s and ulcerative colitits but without the negative side effects of pharmaceutical drugs!

But it’s important to note that the curcumin content within turmeric root is not very high,  it’s around 3%. So in order to get all the benefits of the compound you should take an extract that contains it.Another important consideration is that curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream so it helps to consume black pepper with it, which contains piperine, a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2000%. I recommend buying a turmeric/curcumin supplement with piperine to enhance absorption. Without this supplement most of the curcumin you eat passes through the digestive system! The link provided is to the exact supplement I take everyday.

Curcumin is fat soluble so it’s very important to drink the tonic with a fatty meal or snack in order to absorb the nutrients.  One idea is to have the tonic as a beverage in the morning with fried eggs, avocado or a handful of nuts and make sure that whichever meal you decide to pair with the tonic that you use black pepper to further enhance the absorption. If a tonic doesn’t suit your tastes or on-the-go lifestyle, I highly recommend purchasing turmeric pills instead as they can provide the same health benefits!

Raw Honey:

I like to add raw honey to balance out the strong flavors of the ginger, lemon and turmeric. And who doesn’t like a hint of sweetness! But honey is a sweetener you can feel good about because it has a range of benefits, as long as it’s unpasteurized! When honey is heated it destroys much of the beneficial bacteria and antioxidants within so I recommend always buying it raw. Like ginger, raw honey has antioxidants called phenolic compounds, which protect your body from cell damage due to free radicals. As honey is made from plants it’s  also a great source of phytonutrients. These compounds provide both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits!  Also for dietary concerns honey is the best choice because it has a a Glycemic Index of 55 which is much lower than table sugar (68)  and glucose (100!). This means the sugars will be gradually absorbed into the bloodstream leading to  healthier digestion. Sugar is a controversial topic, but I found this to be an interesting and informative article about whether or not to reach for the honey Is honey a safe(r) sweetener?

Carrot Juice:

Carrots are nutritional gems and my go to for maintaining good gasterointestinal health because of the significant amount of dietary fiber they contain. This veggie is also a powerful immunity booster thanks to its rich vitamin C content and antioxidants. Carrots are good for blood sugar regulation due to the presence of carotenoids, which inversely affect insulin resistance and lower blood sugar.

Anti-inflammatory Ginger Turmeric Tonic

Ingredients:
2 cups coconut water
1 inch fresh ginger root
2 inch fresh turmeric root or 1 teaspoon  dried turmeric
1 lemon
1-2 tablespoons raw honey
½ cup carrot juice (optional)

Process:

1.If adding carrot juice to tonic, process about 4 large carrots in a juicer or set aside ½ cup of store bought juice.
2.Peel the ginger and turmeric and roughly chop it up. Add the coconut water, ginger and turmeric into a blender and process until smooth.
3.Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve to room the excess pulp from the ginger and turmeric. A handy trick : as you pour the contents from blender into the sieve, press down lightly with a wooden spoon to get all the liquid from the pulp.
4.Add the strained liquid, lemon juice, honey, and carrot juice in a blender and process until fully mixed and serve chilled.

Chef notes:

I am a lover of turmeric but I have to share one word of caution- it easily stains! If you handle even a small amount of turmeric root it will leave an orange stain . I use turmeric root on a daily basis and quickly got tired of ending up with orange fingernails. An easy way to prevent this is to wear kitchen gloves while working turmeric. If you happen to stain your clothing quickly wash the area with soap and water to prevent a permanent stain.If you are not a fan of the sharp taste of ginger simply add less or you may add a bit more honey to off set the bite.