Turmeric is a great spice – distinctive yet versatile, it’s useful in all sorts of dishes, but isn’t usually used in sweet, dessert like dishes such as turmeric mango smoothie.
That’s where this recipe comes in.
Combining the savory flavor of turmeric with the sweetness of mango and pineapple, this is a delicious sweet treat, perfect for these late summer days and loaded with health-promoting ingredients.
Turmeric Mango Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups cubed frozen mango
- 1 cup fresh or frozen pineapple, chopped
- 3/4 cups water
- 5 oz greek or coconut-flavored yogurt
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
In a blender or food processor, combine the ingredients and blend until smooth. Garnish with your choice of goji berries, toasted unsweetened coconut flakes, raw hemp seeds or chia seeds.
Here’s Why It’s So Good For You!
Turmeric
Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory due to the compound curcumin. It can help relieve symptoms of arthritis(1) by alleviating inflammation, and is also associated with the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease(2). It can also help prevent and slow the development of certain cancers(3) and help treat digestive problems by reducing inflammation in the body.
Cinnamon
This warm and fragrant spice can be found in stick or powdered form, and is associated strongly with lowered blood sugar levels, making the perfect addition to a recipe loaded with natural sugar(4). Cinnamon also helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation(5).
Mango
Rich in vitamin A – which is linked to bone growth and eye health – mangoes are also packed with fiber, which is important not only for promoting a healthy digestive tract but for preventing certain types of cancer as well(6).
Pineapple
Pineapple is chock full of vitamin C, an antioxidant which helps prevent damage to the body at a cellular level and is also widely known for its immune-system-boosting properties(7).
Yogurt
Fermented foods like yogurt are essential for promoting the growth of “good” bacteria in your gut, and increasing the diversity of your gut’s natural microbiome(8). By incorporating yogurt into your diet along with fresh, fiber-rich foods like mango and pineapple, you’re guaranteeing a healthier gut and digestive system, which is vital to your body on multiple levels – after all, your gut produces most of your body’s serotonin!
sources:
[1]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21717043
[2]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2781139/
[3]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23303705
[4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24019277
[5]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23717759
[6]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1851150
[7]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2991605/
[8]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15277142