This turmeric smoothie incorporates many of the natural ingredients that are being investigated for their impact on dementia and inflammation. Inflammation may be a cause of Alzheimer’s disease (see this article). Coconut oil is being studied at the University of South Florida to determine if the curative affect it has on Alzheimer’s disease is real. Turmeric may be the substance that is responsible for the low rate of dementia in India.
This is a smoothie! You can add ingredients to adapt it to your taste. There are ingredients that should not be eliminated. Keep the coconut oil, the turmeric, and the cinnamon and ginger. These are the “active ingredients” in this recipe. Not part of the original recipe, I always add ¼tsp fresh ground black pepper. Studies show it increases the body’s absorption of the turmeric (bioavailability) by as much as 2000%. It’s probably best if you leave this in too. It is not as bad (taste) as you might think. The recipe calls for hemp or coconut milk. I think these are two of the best milk substitutes available, but you might use almond milk or rice milk. You might even use juice. There are some potential negative health effects of soy milk, and we suggest you stay away from that at least until we have more information. I even read the results of one study that found drinking soy milk makes us less happy. ? 🙄
Turmeric Smoothie
The Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut or hemp or coconut milk
- ½ cup frozen mango chunks
- 1 fresh or frozen banana
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- ½ – 1 teaspoon turmeric powder or use fresh turmeric
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- A dash of sea salt
- A little honey or maple syrup to sweeten (optional)
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon of black pepper.
- Sprinkle some turmeric powder on top, and serve
Some additions, depending on your taste and what you have on hand:
- ½ cup Pineapple: be sure to include the core, the most nutritious part
- 1-2 tablespoons milled chia or sesame seed
- organic apple, pear, or other fresh fruit
- 1 tablespoon maca
This is a good base recipe. Let your imagination and your taste buds run wild and create your own variations.
Add or substitute your choice of fresh fruit or berries. A tablespoon or so of chia, sesame, or hemp seeds add protein, a good balance of Omega oils, trace minerals, as well as other nutritional benefits. Just be sure to leave the spices including black pepper, and the coconut oil.
