Many times the most delicious and indulgent treats are the ones that have highest cholesterol content.
And while not all cholesterol is bad, too much can lead to dire health issues.
Of course, few people want to give up these indulgences, so we are here to offer some easy and delicious alternatives to help keep cholesterol levels down!
Get Cholesterol Levels Under Control
According to American Heart Association, cholesterol is a waxy substance that your body uses to build cells in the body.
Cholesterol helps in the production of hormones
Specifically, cholesterol aids in the production of hormones, vitamin D, and other compounds that aid in food digestion.
What you may not know is that your body produces all of the cholesterol it needs, so eating high cholesterol foods is unnecessary and potentially very dangerous.
Your diet dictates how much cholesterol the liver produces
In fact alcohol, sugar, and caffeine can stimulate cholesterol production in the liver.
Combine that with the popularity of potato chips, sweets, and dairy products that contain dietary cholesterol, and saturated and trans fat that also stimulate cholesterol production. You may be raising cholesterol levels to a point that it becomes dangerous.
While cholesterol is a result of an unhealthy lifestyle, sometimes it’s genetics. If our parents have high cholesterol, we are at a higher risk to have this condition.
Some potential diseases down the road
Whatever the reason for high cholesterol, when not maintained at a healthy level, it can lead to heart attack, stroke, or heart disease.
These conditions occur when cholesterol builds up in the arteries, blocking oxygen-rich blood to the heart or the brain.
Successfully lowering high cholesterol takes discipline. That means having a right combination of exercise and a healthy diet. Herbs is one of the healthiest food options that can support the heart and balance cholesterol levels in the body.
One of these herbs is turmeric, which you may be familiar with if you enjoy curry.
Control Cholesterol With Turmeric
Turmeric root and powder have been shown to provide several health benefits including support for increased blood circulation.
This is because a primary component of turmeric is a chemical called curcumin, which is bright yellow and responsible for some of the flavor and color of curry.
While it can be used as a tasty spice, curcumin is believed to serve as an anticoagulant by hindering platelets from forming blood clots.
This can be the cause of heart attacks and strokes, both of which are brought on by high cholesterol.
Improves cardiovascular heatl
In addition to aiding in healthy blood circulation, turmeric is also thought to contribute to heart health.
The compounds in turmeric have been studied for its ability to support of arterial elasticity and stiffness in middle-aged and older adults.
As we age, the lining of our blood vessels becomes weaker and less likely to function to its full potential.
This may lead to an inability to regulate blood pressure, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Now that we have looked at some of the best known benefits of turmeric, we have some mouthwatering juice recipes to share!
While you can take turmeric and curcumin supplements, this herb is very flavorful in its natural form. You can add this as a spice to your dishes and juices. We’ll talk about the latter below.
The following recipes are fast and easy, rich in vitamins and minerals, and the best part is you can make them in your kitchen with just a few ingredients, a stove or heating element, and a blender.
Tasty Ways To Enjoy The Benefits of Turmeric
Ancient Golden Milk
One of the most popular and proven turmeric recipes is the ancient ‘golden milk’. This recipe from Wellness Mamma is easy, soothing, and can be prepared in just 5 minutes!
Yield: 4 servings
Prep time: 2 minutes
Cook time: 3 minutes
Ingredients you’ll need
- 2 cups of milk (almond, pecan, coconut, or dairy) or use bone broth in place of the milk for a more hearty tea.
- 1 tsp. turmeric powder or spice mix
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- pinch of black pepper (increases absorption)
- tiny piece of fresh, peeled ginger root, or ¼ tsp. of ginger powder
- pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1tsp. raw honey or maple syrup to taste (optional)
How to make this
Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth.
Then, pour into a small saucepan and heat 3-5 minutes over medium heat until hot, but not boiling.
Drink immediately.
Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Tonic
This next recipe for Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Tonic we found via Savory Lotus and is chock full of healthy ingredients!
Yield: 2-3 servings
Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients you’ll need
- 2 cups coconut water (or filtered water)
- 2 tbsp. grated fresh turmeric (or ½ to 1 tsp. dried turmeric powder)
- 1 tbsp. grated fresh ginger
- juice from 1 lemon or orange
- 1 medium carrot
- 1 tbsp. raw honey or real maple syrup
- pinch of black pepper
- optional: a pinch of cayenne or cinnamon
How to make this
Place all ingredients into high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Drink as is or strain before serving.
Black pepper is found to increase absorption of curcumin in the body and increase its benefits.
Creamy Banana Turmeric Smoothie
Our last recipe is a deliciously creamy and easy to make smoothie from Eatwell 101.
Yield: 1-2 servings
Ingredients you’ll need
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ inch fresh ginger, grated
- ½ cup coconut or almond milk
- juice of ½ lime
- ¼ tsp. ground turmeric
- fresh turmeric root, grated for garnish
- shredded coconut, for garnish
How to make this
Combine all ingredients in a blender, and process until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add a bit more coconut milk. Garnish with grated turmeric and coconut flakes.
Who says lowering your cholesterol can’t be easy, fun, and delicious?
Give these recipes a try, start exercising more, and talk to your doctor about regularly testing your cholesterol. A happy heart and a healthy diet with plenty of turmeric may be the key to enjoying more of life!
Love this! Wish I could give it to my son who has crohn’s disease. May need to skip ground pepper and he should be fine.