When golden milk meets chocolate milkshake, our turmeric chocolate truffle smoothie brings the best of both culinary worlds together. This blend is right in the middle of indulgent and nutritious because it tastes sinful, but you’re getting in your daily dose of superfoods.
Turmeric contains curcumin, which is a compound that has been found to reduce swelling and inflammation. (This could be beneficial for digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcerative colitis.) Turmeric has a low bioavailability, which means that your body metabolizes it very quickly. Experts recommend pairing it with black pepper, which contains a natural substance called piperine that helps the body absorb the curcumin more slowly.
Other Benefits of Turmeric
- May help the pain of osteoarthritis.
- Can stimulate the gallbladder to produce bile, which may aid in digestion.
- May make your skin glow when used in your beauty regiment. Many companies are now using turmeric in their skincare lines.
- May help reduce the buildup of LDL/bad cholesterol in the arteries.
- Contains powerful antioxidants that may help prevent cancers.
- May help protect the brain.
Your Gut Matters
Eating habits also play a role in mental health. Research has shown that probiotic-rich foods decrease anxiety and boost the mood. That makes kefir a great wellbeing tool because it contains 12 live and probiotic cultures. Psychiatrist James Greenblatt explained that “‘the gut is really your second brain. There are more neurons in the GI tract than anywhere else except the brain.’” As research continues to develop, it’s becoming more and more apparent that there is a link between the gut and the brain. What was once suspected as one-way communication (brain to gut) is now understood to be more of a two-way system. Thus, the health of our gut may directly impact the health of our minds.
Prebiotics + Probiotics = a Healthy You
Prebiotics are non-living, non-digestible carbohydrates naturally found in a variety of foods. Your body actually can’t digest prebiotics, so they’re what probiotics feed off of to remain actively working in your digestive system. They help the digestive system by promoting the growth of good bacteria. Prebiotics and probiotics work together in balance to make sure our digestive system stays on track and regular. Research has found that consuming a variety of prebiotic and probiotic food sources may improve your body’s natural functions, including both your immune and digestive system.
Servings: 1 - 2Ingredients
- 1 cup Chocolate Lowfat Kefir
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder, unsweetened
- 1 tsp turmeric, ground
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 1 cup ice
Directions
- Place all ingredients into a high-powered blender. Blend on high until smooth, or until desired consistency is reached.