Turmeric Latte for Memory & Brain Health

Turmeric has been used in various treatments for brain injuries as well as dementia, including Alzheimer's Disease. While turmeric has many health benefits, the main antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient that greatly improves brain function is curcumin. Curcumin has also been shown to improve memory in general, as well as symptoms of depression, heart disease, cancer and degenerative conditions like arthritis.

However, most of the curcumin in turmeric cannot be absorbed by our bodies directly. The key to making curcumin absorbable is combining it with 1. black pepper (due to a component called piperine, which is what gives black pepper its strong characteristic taste and also enhances the absorption of curcumin), 2. prolonged low heat (because it enhances solubility in water and also enhances the overall antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties), and 3. a healthy fat (curcumin binds more to fat and thus becomes more easily absorbable). This recipe includes all three of these components, plus a few more anti-inflammatory ingredients to make this healthy drink even healthier. 

*Curcumin may interact with some health conditions as well as certain blood-thinning medications. Please consult with your doctor before consuming large amounts of curcumin or having it frequently.

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk or milk alternative

• 1/2 cup water

• 1/2 teaspoon good quality turmeric powder

•  1 good pinch of freshly milled black pepper (pre-ground black pepper will have lost much of its oil, and will not help unlock the curcumin very well)

• 1 teaspoon coconut oil

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

• 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

• Well-sourced raw honey or maple syrup, to taste

Directions

1. Pour water into a small saucepan, add turmeric and black pepper and simmer for about 5-10 minutes.

2. Add all other ingredients except the raw honey (if using).

3. Stir over heat until it comes back to a simmer, then remove from heat and cool for a few minutes.

4. Stir in the raw honey or maple syrup and enjoy. Remember not to put the raw honey into the latte when it’s too hot, because extreme heat can destroy some of the benefits in raw honey.

Turmeric leaves a bright yellow stain on whatever it touches, so be sure to wear an apron when preparing this latte.