Raw, Dried or Powdered: Which Turmeric Works Best?

Indian cuisine is a treasure trove of various spices. One of them is turmeric. Not only does it add color and flavor to food, but it is also invaluable for health. From ancient Ayurveda to modern science, the benefits of turmeric are equally appreciated everywhere.

Turmeric contains a powerful antioxidant called curcumin. Research says that it is five to eight times more effective than vitamin E or vitamin C. This curcumin increases the body’s immunity, reduces inflammation, and helps control cholesterol levels in the blood. As a result, the habit of eating turmeric regularly keeps the body healthy from the inside.

But the question is, which type of turmeric is most beneficial? Raw, dried or powdered?

Raw turmeric

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Turmeric grows underground. In its raw state, it is soft and contains natural juice and essential oils. The smell is also relatively strong. However, in this case, the amount of curcumin is slightly less.

The best way to eat raw turmeric is to mix it with milk or chew it with sugarcane molasses. It increases immunity power and drinking turmeric with milk is very beneficial when you have a sore throat or cold.

To make it more effective, raw turmeric can be eaten with ghee and black pepper. Because the piperine content in black pepper increases the absorption of curcumin in the body many times.

Dried turmeric

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Raw turmeric is dried in the sun. Then it becomes hard. This dried turmeric has a slightly higher amount of curcumin than raw.

Those who make dried turmeric at home should dry it directly in the sun. Curcumin is not destroyed in this.

However, many times turmeric is boiled or steamed and dried, which reduces the antioxidant level a little.

Powdered turmeric

The most commonly used powder is turmeric. It is used in almost all cooking methods. However, its benefits depend on how pure the powder is and the process by which it is made. The powders available in the market are often adulterated or mixed with chemicals, which can ruin the original quality.

Which is the most beneficial?

Actually, raw turmeric and pure dried turmeric have different benefits.

• It is easy to use dried powdered turmeric for cooking.
• It is better to eat raw turmeric to get its medicinal properties. Especially when eaten with milk, or with ghee and chili, the absorption of curcumin increases many times.
• Eating ghee and turmeric together improves liver function and reduces inflammation in the body.

Therefore, to maintain good health, you should make it a habit to eat a little raw or pure dried turmeric regularly, not only in cooking. This will nourish the body naturally, increase immunity, and make it possible to stay healthy for a long time.