Add This Ginger-Turmeric Broth To Any Soup To Make It An Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Cancer Meal

“What is inflammation really?” I remember asking that of a good friend of mine who had studied nutritional sciences. I did have a vague understanding of what it meant. It’s a reaction that includes swelling and redness, but is it good or bad? My friend put me in an hour lecture, but I’ll spare you the jargon.

Inflammation is a natural process that occurs in your body as a reaction to infection. It works to heal the affected part of your body. Take, for example; it may swell and turn red. This is inflammation calling healing cells and nutrients to that position. This is called acute inflammation.

The other type of inflammation, chronic inflammation, is inflammation that occurs over the long-term. This sort of reaction is normally spurred by conditions like asthma and arthritis, but increasingly excess weight, stress, and a lack of exercise are rising causes.

Rather than good or bad, these two types of inflammation call to our attention that something is going on with our bodies. But inflammation from poor health, diet and stress are ‘unnecessary’ inflammation that overworks your body and can lead to heart disease and diabetes.

So what can you do about inflammation from poor health and stress? One of the best and easiest things to do is to change your diet. This recipe for an anti-inflammatory broth is refreshing and chock full of some of the world’s healthiest ingredients. These three ingredients feature prominently in this recipe, lending not only a great taste but great health-boosting properties!

Garlic

For anyone who knows me well, they’d know cooking is one of my biggest passions. One of my favorite ingredients to start with when I’m thinking up a new recipe is garlic. This bold, aromatic allium (the same family as onions and chives), makes the top of many lists of the world’s healthiest foods. And for a good reason!

Garlic has a number of components that protect your blood cells and blood vessels from inflammation. Not just limited to the cardiovascular system, garlic has been shown to target inflammation as a result of obesity.

Try to add more garlic into your meals, and I’m sure you’ll see a difference in both your cooking and health. When cooking with garlic, make sure you don’t make the rookie mistake. Always let your minced or chopped garlic sit for a bit before adding them to heat. This lets the garlic keep many of its health benefits even after cooking.

Ginger Root

Ginger has long been used to treat nausea and inflammation. Ginger’s potent anti-inflammatory powers come from the compound gingerols. Many people with arthritis find that regular consumption of ginger leads to reduced pain levels.

But did you know that ginger is known to kill certain cancer cells? Studies have discovered that ginger has properties which allow it to inhibit the growth of ovarian and prostate cancer.

Turmeric Root

I can’t stress enough how great turmeric is for your health. From treating diabetes to fighting cancer and inflammation, turmeric is a remarkable spice that is widely available and used in both cooking and medicine practice in China and India.

The superstar components of turmeric are its volatile oils and curcumin, the pigment that lends turmeric its orange-yellow color. Both components have strong anti-inflammatory properties even comparable to over-the-counter drugs. If you’ve got some extra turmeric root leftover, I recommend grinding it and making it into a tea!

Skip the hot cocoa; this rich anti-inflammatory broth is just the thing for a cold winter day!