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Turmeric is a well-known spice that has served as a food colourant and additive for centuries. It is a safe spice; therefore, turmeric consumption is not limited. Turmeric is an Indian plant from the ginger family, and the roots are the main parts of the plant consumed by humans.
Turmeric has a mild taste and odour, plus a sharp yellow-orange colour, making it a good option for many food recipes. Some diet and nutrition experts believe that the attractive appearance of the food recipes containing turmeric may stimulate the seniors’ appetite. So, here is a list of turmeric benefits described in five tasty recipes by which you can combat Alzheimer‘s (read more about Alzheimer’s).
Health Benefits of Turmeric
Based on scientific research, turmeric has numerous health benefits for people of any age, especially seniors. Some researchers even claim that the lower incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in India is directly related to the higher consumption of turmeric in their food recipes. Some of its essential health benefits of it are listed below:
Anti-inflammatory effects: chronic inflammation in our body may lead to several diseases like heart disease, cancer, etc. fortunately, curcumin (the primary bioactive substance of turmeric) can effectively fight inflammation at the molecular level in our body therefore potentially preventing or even treating such chronic and fatigue disease.
Antioxidant effect: like inflammation, oxidative reactions in our body lead to several diseases and ageing. Turmeric compounds like curcumin, vitamin C, and beta-carotene, which are essential vitamins for seniors, can neutralize these reactions in our bodies. Besides, turmeric can promote the activity of human antioxidant enzymes.
Increase brain functions: turmeric bioactive compounds can enhance brain-based hormone, which improves memory and lowers some brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and depression.
Decrease heart disease risk: turmeric boosts the blood vessels’ cell layer, thereby regulating our blood pressure.
Prevent cancer in seniors: turmeric can prevent cancer in our body by neutralizing oxidative reactions. Additionally, turmeric can reduce the growth of cancerous cells and tumours.
Preventing or treating Alzheimer’s: turmeric consumption can lower or even reverse the progression of Alzheimer’s by removing amyloid plaque in our brain. Hence, turmeric can improve seniors’ mental health and prevent or treat Alzheimer’s.
Helping arthritis patients: since arthritis is mainly an inflammatory disease, consuming turmeric can improve the symptoms due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
An excellent anti-depression: depression is related to the low level of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine in our brain. Treating people with a high turmeric diet can increase these hormone levels.
Important tip:
Turmeric bioactive compounds are hardly absorbed from the intestine into the blood. Thus, to increase the bioavailability of turmeric compounds, it’s better to consume them with black pepper. Turmeric compounds’ absorbance enhances as high as 2000% when consumed along with black pepper. Based on FAO reports, turmeric bioactive compounds are heat-stable to be used in thermally treated foods.
Owing to those fantastic effects of turmeric on human health, especially seniors, the living maples team has collected five tasty recipes with a high amount of turmeric. You can also see top anti-aging foods for seniors to get more information about healthy foods.
Combat Alzheimer’s with Turmeric Recipes
As we said at the beginning of this article, turmeric has many health benefits; one of them is increasing our brain activity, which is a piece of good news for people combating Alzheimer’s.
Here are some recipes that can help you fight Alzheimer’s and strengthen your memory.
Chickpeas with Tomato, Spinach, and Turmeric
Ingredients:
- One tablespoon Vegetable oil (see The Best Cooking Oils for The Elderly)
- One sliced onion (preferably red onion)
- Two chopped cloves of garlic
- Shredded fresh ginger (1/2 finger length)
- 2 Chopped Mild red chilies
- Powdered turmeric (1/2 teaspoon)
- Garam masala (3/4 teaspoon)
- Grounded cumin (1 teaspoon)
- Four chopped tomatoes
- Tomato puree or tomato paste (2 teaspoons)
- Rinsed canned (or cooked) chickpeas (400 g)
- Fresh Baby spinach leaves (200 g)
- Black pepper (1/3 teaspoon)
Instruction:
Stir onions in the oil until they soften. Add ginger, garlic, and chillies to the mixture and cook them for 5 minutes until the onions turn golden and the garlic starts to be slightly crispy.
Add the turmeric, gram masala, and cumin to the previous mixture and stir them for a few seconds; after that, add tomatoes and puree (or paste) and allow them to boil for 5 min.
Add chickpeas, fill ¾ of the frying pan with water (approximately 300 ml), and allow the mixture to simmer for 10 minutes.
Finally, add spinach to the recipe and wait for it to wilt completely. Your delicious meal is ready! You can serve it with bread or cooked rice.
Turmeric Salmon
Ingredients:
- Turmeric powder (4 teaspoons)
- Whole or grounded cumin (2.5 teaspoons)
- 500 g salmon filet
- One tablespoon Olive oil for frying
- A few amounts of salt and powdered pepper (preferably black pepper) for seasoning
- Parsley for garnish
Instruction:
Mix turmeric, cumin, salt, and pepper in a bowl and rub the mixture onto both sides of the salmon filet.
Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over a medium flame.
Place the rubbed fillets into the hot oil and cook it for around 7-8 minutes until both sides of the fillets turn to golden brown colour.
Garnish the cooked fillets with Parsley. You can serve it with a piece of bread.
Turmeric Yogurt
Ingredients:
- Powdered turmeric (1 teaspoon)
- Five tablespoons of yogurt (preferably probiotic yogurt)
- A drop of honey
Instruction:
It is a pretty easy recipe; you can prepare it within a few minutes. Just mix the powdered turmeric and yogurt, drizzle a drop of honey and enjoy!
Turmeric Tea
- Water (4 cups)
- Powdered or grounded turmeric
Instruction:
Boil water in a teapot. Add the powdered turmeric and let it brew for 10 minutes. Steeping turmeric particles in hot water can extract flavour and healthy compounds. You can add a little bit of ginger, lemon juice, or honey to add more flavour.
Final Words
Turmeric is a well-known spice with a broad range of positive effects on human health, especially for seniors. Given that Alzheimer’s has been widespread among nations and turmeric’s positive, healing effects have been scientifically proven, scientists strongly suggest including it in your daily diet. However, it’s important to note that much of the research on turmeric and Alzheimer’s disease has been done in animals or in vitro, and more research is needed to confirm these effects in humans. Additionally, consuming turmeric alone may not be enough to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, and other lifestyle factors, such as exercise and a healthy diet, are also crucial for brain health.
I think choosing the best food materials will be effective for our health, especially at our age. but I have one question, can we replace another material with Tumeric?
Oh yes! I have the same question; because I can not bear the smell and taste of turmeric. It would be so good if someone suggested an alternative.
I never liked turmeric until last summer when one of my friends made turmeric tea as an afternoon beverage. I remember it had turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon. I never thought something as yellow and bitter as turmeric could taste that good!
Same here. My mother used to give me turmeric tea whenever I was sick, and she never added anything else that would give it a better taste. However, after I tried masala tea with turmeric in it, I realized how delicious it could be if combined with other things. I’m not a big fan of turmeric tea if it’s only powdered turmeric and water, but I will try the turmeric salmon recipe and your friend’s tea recipe. Another turmeric recipe that I like is my mother’s homemade masala ice cream. I’ve never thought that the spicy flavour of turmeric or ginger could give ice cream such an enjoyable taste.
I’m just so glad we live at a time when you can fight diseases with the help of food, you know? This would have seemed ridiculous 100 years ago. Now I can just eat Tumeric salmon and be happy that I’m fighting Alzheimer’s. A good time to be alive indeed.
Dear Victoria, I don’t see eye to eye with you on this. Though turmeric is nutritious and proved to be effective in Alzheimer’s, it’s not that simple to fight a severe disease with just a single spice. It may work in a combination of factors such as a healthy lifestyle and not being genetically affected.
Such a great article! I’m a nutrition expert, and I’ve studied many hours on the health benefits of different food ingredients on the human body. Turmeric has a considerable amount of health-promoting constituents. As a nutrition expert, I suggest using it in all food recipes as much as possible.
I recommend food they recognize and already enjoy, with the textures adjusted as necessary to allow them to eat safely.
Avoiding crispy bits will be the first change, I think.
And likely, when they are much later in the disease process, they may need things puree.
Many fluids, fiber, but mainly, tasty meals that smell and look good, particularly if they’re losing their appetite. Mix in butter or cream cheese if they need a calorie boost and only eat small meals.
I take homemade nutritious foods along with a few eggs per day. Dark chocolate with more than 70% cocoa is also helpful. You can add pumpkin and sunflower seeds.
In my personal experience, dietary supplements of a multivitamin, vitamin b12, magnesium, vitamin D3, and fish oil would all help a lot.
Also, make sure to stay free of constipation.
Well, if you have a diet of processed meats, packaged and junk foods, you’re going to be more at risk for just about any disease.
I know fish is good for your brain because of vitamin omega 3, as well as leafy greens. I would also recommend a diet with variety in colour, flavour, texture and temperature.
Turmeric tea is my favourite. My mum always made it; it was her first offer to her guests. maybe that’s why her children have a great memory.
I’ve read that turmeric contains anti-inflammatory properties, suitable for Alzheimer’s prevention. Turmeric is usually used as a spice in cooking and tea, and it is excellent for heart health and cancer prevention. Maybe It’s not advisable to take high doses of turmeric for extended periods because there isn’t enough research to guarantee safety, but you can use it a few times a week.
I’m allergic to turmeric. I get a rash when I eat or smell it. Is there any way for me to use turmeric? I mean, can I mix it with something else or use an alternative?
I highly recommend trying Creamy Turmeric Tea.
You need:
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• one teaspoon cinnamon
• one teaspoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger
In a microwave, warm the almond milk, add the spices and drizzle the honey over the top. Yummy!
Turmeric has many health benefits, but I suspect I’m allergic to it. Whenever I eat Turmeric, I get itchy, particularly on my scalp. Has anyone experienced it, too?