Written by Ruth Riley

There seems to be no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to losing weight. There are those individuals who prefer yoga and breathing exercises for achieving their healthy weight goal. Some people explore the benefits of CBD oil for losing weight. At the same time, there are also those who’ve found their solutions by using herbs and spices.

Are you feeling full and bloated lately? A warm cup of turmeric tea might be the answer to your weight-loss woes. Turmeric has earned the reputation of being a “superfood” because of its potent medicinal properties. (1)

One of its most surprising health benefits is the ability to speed up weight loss. For this reason, many people looking to lose weight turn to turmeric.

Turmeric has been widely used in Ayurveda, a traditional Indian medicine system, for thousands of years. It’s also known as “golden spice” and is widely used in Asian cuisine.

Thanks to its main active compound, curcumin, this spice has earned itself superfood status.

Several studies have been made on curcumin and its health-promoting properties. Research shows that curcumin has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

It may even be used against a broad range of diseases with no adverse effects on liver and kidney function, even at high doses. (2)(3)

Turmeric may help aid in weight loss

So, you can further enjoy your sip of turmeric tea, we look into turmeric’s weight loss properties.

Obesity and excess fat are often associated with inflammation. Curcumin has been known to contain powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

It does this by scavenging the free radicals that create oxidative stress. It then neutralizes them and prevents them from accumulating and creating damage. (3)

This is the mechanism by which it helps reduce our body’s inflammation and oxidative stress, effectively helping us lose weight.

Turmeric is also great at reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome, which is associated with obesity. When you have too much stored fat in your abdomen, it leads to metabolic changes.

Metabolic syndrome may lead to serious health issues such as insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. Turmeric might help in reducing your risk for metabolic syndrome by lowering your body’s cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood sugar levels. (3)

This golden spice is also great for digestion. When you’ve had too much food, and you’re feeling bloated, a cup of turmeric tea could just do the trick. It can help calm and relieve stomach discomfort and improve bowel movement. (4)

Turmeric has also been shown to increase bile production present in the stomach. It’s the digestive enzyme responsible for emulsifying fat and its metabolism. When you have a high fat intake, especially saturated and trans-fat, it may strain the process. (4)

Regular consumption of turmeric can aid in producing more bile acids that can help reduce excess fat in the body. Turmeric is even shown to have a positive effect on the gallbladder as it might prevent the formation of gallstones. (4)

Not only is turmeric great at promoting weight loss, but it can even prevent further weight gain. Research suggests that turmeric has a “protective effect” against weight gain with regular exercise and a proper diet. It also controls inflammatory markers commonly linked with obesity and reduces the risk of obesity-related diseases. (5)

Turmeric and black pepper (piperine)

If turmeric’s properties weren’t already impressive enough, you can boost it even further by adding piperine. It’s a compound in black pepper that’s been shown to improve curcumin absorption in the body. Combined, they can promote multiple health benefits.

A 30-day study was made on 44 people who had trouble losing weight. They supplemented 800 mg of curcumin and 8 mg of piperine twice daily. The results showed significant reductions in their body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, and body weight. Here are some of the results: (6)

• Significant waistline reduction from 2.36% to 4.14%
• Body fat reduction from 0.70 to 8.43%
• Average weight loss from 1.88 to 4.91%
• Improved hip circumference reduction from 0.74 to 2.51%
• Enhanced reduction of BMI from 2.10 to 6.43%

Aside from tea, you can enjoy turmeric by adding it to your favorite vegetables, milk, smoothies, and salads.

Find what’s best for you!

Keep in mind that there is no miracle drug for weight loss, even with turmeric’s powerful benefits. While drinking a cup of turmeric tea can help, proper diet and exercise will also help you lose weight in a healthy way.

Everyone is unique, so you may have to figure out what works best. When taking supplements, it’s advisable to seek your doctor’s approval, especially if you take certain medications.

References:

1. https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/postings/2020/02/turmeric.php
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29629341/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664031/#B9-foods-06-00092
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3882399/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28839007/
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26592847/