What is the best way to juice turmeric root?

Turmeric is a bright yellow spice that comes from the turmeric plant. It is commonly used in curries and other South Asian cuisine to add flavor, color, and health benefits. The active compound in turmeric is curcumin, which has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Drinking fresh turmeric juice is an excellent way to reap the many benefits of this super spice.

Benefits of Juicing Turmeric

There are several reasons why you may want to juice turmeric root:

• Concentrated source of curcumin – Juicing provides a concentrated dose of the beneficial curcumin compound
• Increased absorption – Curcumin is not easily absorbed by the body, but juicing helps increase bioavailability
• Anti-inflammatory – Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory, which can help reduce joint pain and inflammation
• Antioxidant – Curcumin neutralizes free radicals that can damage cells and lead to disease
• Supports liver health – Animal studies show curcumin promotes bile flow and reduces liver damage
• Boosts immunity – Curcumin activates the immune system and increases the activity of protective immune cells

Drinking turmeric juice regularly can provide a significant boost to your overall health and wellbeing.

Best Practices for Juicing Turmeric

Follow these tips to get the most out of your turmeric juicing:

Use Fresh Turmeric Root

Fresh turmeric root contains the most curcumin compared to dried, ground turmeric. Look for firm, unblemished roots with a strong aromatic fragrance. The fresher the root, the better the juice.

Peel Before Juicing

Peel the brown outer skin from the turmeric root before juicing for the smoothest, best tasting juice. The skin can add a bitter flavor.

Combine with Other Ingredients

For more palatable juice, combine turmeric root with sweeter produce like carrots, apples, oranges, pineapple, or lemon. Ginger is an excellent complement that enhances the anti-inflammatory effects.

Juice Small Chunks

Cut the turmeric into small 1-2 inch chunks before feeding into your juicer. Smaller pieces will juice more efficiently.

Use a High Powered Juicer

A powerful juicer like a twin gear or cold press juicer will extract the most juice from the firm turmeric root. Make sure to immediately drink the juice after juicing for maximum curcumin potency.

Store Properly

If not drinking immediately, store the juice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The longer the juice sits, the more degradation of active compounds.

How Much Turmeric Juice Should You Drink?

There is no official recommended dosage for turmeric juice. However, most health experts suggest the following based on the available research:

• 1-2 inches of fresh turmeric root daily for general wellness
• Up to 3 inches of fresh turmeric root daily for therapeutic anti-inflammatory effects

Always start small with 1/2 inch of turmeric root and gradually increase over time to allow your body to adjust. Too much at once can cause digestive upset in some individuals.

Potential Side Effects of Turmeric Juice

When consumed in normal food amounts, turmeric is very safe and well tolerated. However, drinking concentrated turmeric juice regularly could potentially cause:

• Upset stomach or diarrhea – High doses of curcumin may irritate the gastrointestinal tract
• Blood thinning – Large amounts may worsen bleeding disorders or interact with blood thinning medications
• Gallbladder contractions – Turmeric can cause gallbladder contractions in susceptible individuals
• Kidney stones – Turmeric contains oxalates that could worsen kidney stones in prone individuals

To avoid adverse effects, start with a low dose and avoid turmeric juice if you have gallbladder or kidney problems.

Recipes for Juicing Turmeric

Here are a few delicious recipes to enjoy the benefits of fresh turmeric juice:

Basic Turmeric Juice

• 1 inch turmeric root, peeled
• 1 apple
• 1/2 lemon, peeled
• 1 inch ginger, peeled (optional)
• Dash of black pepper

Juice all ingredients and stir in black pepper to finish.

Turmeric Carrot Juice

• 1 inch turmeric root, peeled
• 3 carrots, tops removed
• 1 orange, peeled
• 1/2 lemon, peeled
• 1 inch ginger, peeled (optional)

Juice all ingredients together and enjoy!

Turmeric Green Juice

• 1 inch turmeric root, peeled
• 1 green apple
• 1 inch ginger, peeled
• Handful spinach
• Handful kale
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1/2 lemon, peeled

Run all ingredients through a juicer. Pour over ice and drink as soon as possible.

Turmeric Pineapple Juice

• 1 inch turmeric root, peeled
• 1/2 pineapple, rind removed
• 1 orange, peeled
• 1/2 lemon, peeled
• 1 inch ginger, peeled (optional)

Juice turmeric, pineapple, orange, lemon and ginger. Shake or stir to combine.

The Bottom Line

Juicing turmeric root is an easy and nutritious way to incorporate the many health benefits of turmeric into your diet. For best results, use fresh turmeric root combined with sweeter produce like carrots, apples, or pineapple. Drink 1-2 inches of turmeric root daily for general wellness. Always start small and increase gradually to find the optimal dosage for you.

Enjoy experimenting with different juice combinations and cheers to your health!