Inflammation, whether it’s chronic or acute, can be extremely painful and frustrating to deal with–especially if you’re not sure how to treat the issue. Luckily, there are several lifestyle changes and healthy habits you can implement in order to keep the issue at bay, from exercising regularly to managing your stress levels. One of the best ways to fight inflammation, though, is to introduce anti-inflammatory foods into your diet. And sometimes, that can be as simple as working some tasty spices into your meals. As it turns out, turmeric is one delicious, antioxidant-rich option that works great in tons of recipes–especially when it comes to your morning eggs.
To learn more about the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric and get some tips for adding it to your eggs, we spoke to health experts Lisa Richards, nutritionist and creator of The Candida Diet, and Joanna Wen, health coach and founder of Spices & Green. They told us that the curcumin in this spice can do wonders for treating inflammation. Find their expert insight below!
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Turmeric for inflammation
If you’re looking to keep inflammation at bay, adding turmeric to your food is always a great option. Richards explains that this spice is “a natural and effective anti-inflammatory compound primarily because of its antioxidant properties,” which “makes it an effective addition to a chronic pain regimen to lower inflammation in the body and to remove free radicals that lead to other chronic conditions.”
Wen explains that the anti-inflammatory properties are largely thanks to its curcumin content. “[Turmeric] contains a high concentration of curcumin, which helps reduce both chronic and acute inflammation in the body,” she says, reiterating that “curcumin has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help protect our cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.”
Luckily, it’s also a delicious, flavorful spice that tastes great in so many different recipes–and there’s no shortage of ways to work it into your eggs every morning.
How to cook eggs with turmeric
“Adding turmeric to eggs is one easy and delicious way to take in the benefits of this spice,” Richards assures us. In fact, you can spice things up (pun intended) in a few different ways. “It can be added to scrambled eggs by adding just a pinch of the powder to beaten eggs,” she suggests, noting that adding it into your omelet mixture is another great option for “an added subtle earthy flavor.” Yum!
If you prefer boiled eggs, Richards tells us you can simply add a pinch of turmeric powder to the water you’ll boil them in, so that “the eggs will become infused with the spice.” Interestingly, the eggs will turn a yellowish blue color.
Wen has a few other ideas, as well: “Alternatively, you could make turmeric egg salad wrap or even turmeric poached eggs,” she says. The possibilities are practically endless!
And here’s an extra tip: Wen says you should pair turmeric with black pepper, which will help your body absorb the curcumin better for maximal benefits. Good to know!
No matter how you prefer your eggs, it’s safe to say that they’ll taste delicious with a bit of this healthy spice–and not only will you be able to enjoy great flavor, but you’ll also be protecting your body along the way. It’s a total turmeric win-win.
