This Ingredient Is The Best For Fighting Inflammation — 5 Ways To Get More Of It

If you struggle with inflammation—which so many people do—it's essential to manage it. According to research1, three out of five people die from chronic inflammatory diseases like stroke, heart disease, cancer, and more.

But even if you don't have a diagnosed inflammatory disease, it's still important to take a preventive approach, limiting inflammation when and where you can.

If you need a refresher, turmeric is a powerful root that's been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic and Indian cuisine, revered for its health benefits. Fortunately for us westerners, turmeric has made its way around the world and can likely be found in your nearest grocery store.

Turmeric is an antioxidant powerhouse, and it's also full of bioactive compounds, called curcuminoids, which help deliver turmeric's health benefits (and its bright color).

As registered dietitian Jessica Cording, M.S., R.D., CDN, previously wrote for mindbodygreen, "The principal (and most popular) curcuminoid, curcumin, has been extensively studied2 for its anti-inflammatory actions, antioxidant activity, and overall impressive list of proactive health benefits3."

If you're serious about getting more of the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric, your best bet is to take it as a supplement. You can always incorporate it into your diet, but the caveat is it's not always readily absorbed by the body, so it takes a lot of turmeric in your cooking to reap the full range of benefits.

If you browse the wellness section of your grocery store, or even have a smoothie shop in town, there's a good chance they'll have some sort of turmeric juice available. Whether it's a full bottle or a mini juice shot, this is a more palatable way to get it if you're not too keen on cooking with it.

And of course, if you have a juicer and you're up for the task, you can always make your own juice!

If you always have rice on hand, another simple way to get more turmeric is to add some to your rice. I've been making a delicious turmeric-ginger rice concoction since the weather has been colder, and not only is it anti-inflammatory, but it's so cozy and warming too.

Bone broth is a great way to start your day—or close out your workout with an extra punch of protein—and it's made all the more beneficial if you add a bit of turmeric!