Turmeric and Honey Overnight Oats

ABOUT

Turmeric is a spice that comes from the turmeric plant. You may commonly know it from its uses in curry's or Asian food. It has a warm but slightly bitter taste to it which is why it is so common in these types of food.

Turmeric also comes in root form, and is widely used to make medicines. Turmeric as a medicine, has been used for arthritis, heartburn, joint and stomach pain, loss of appetite, high cholesterol, inflammatory conditions and a number of other conditions. Turmeric contains curcumin which may decrease swelling (inflammation), which is why it can contribute to helping treat a number of health conditions.

BENEFITS

1) Colourful Benefits - Having a variety of colourful plant based foods in our diet is good for our health because of their phytochemical properties or in easier terms - plant pigments. The curcumin is where turmeric gets its bright yellow pigment. These phytochemical properties are good for us because they "protect us from environmental and ingested carcinogens by arming antioxidant enzymes and enhancing DNA repair pathways. They also have direct effects on the fundamental hallmarks of cancer progression and metastasis." In simpler terms, there is increasingly convincing evidence to show that plant phytochemicals, have significant benefits for humans, such as reducing our risk of cancer and helping people living with and beyond treatments.

2) Anti-inflammatory - This has been briefly mentioned above, but in clinical trials , it has been found that turmeric can be more effective than a placebo for relieving pain and swelling in people with osteo and rheumatoid arthritis.

3) Supports Cognitive Performance - Turmerone is another active ingredient in turmeric - although it is far less known. Some studies suggest tumerone can support cognitive performance due to its neuroprotective properties.

4) High in Antioxidants - Oxidative damage is believed to be one of the mechanisms behind ageing and many diseases. Curcumin has powerful antioxidant effects. It neutralises free radicals on its own but also stimulates your body's own antioxidant enzymes.

5) Replaces unhealthy meal additions - Due to turmeric's flavour, it can be used to partially or wholly replace additional salt, sugar or added saturated fat in numerous dishes.

WHY USE THIS INGREDIENT IN BREAKFAST?

Although turmeric is mainly known to be used in savoury dishes, it's warm but slightly bitter flavour complements the sweet, natural taste or honey amazingly. Packed with nutritional benefits (both the turmeric and the honey ), breakfast is a super easy way to squeeze these nutrients into your diet.

---

Serves: 1. Preparation Time: 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup rolled oats

• 1/2 cup almond milk (or another plant based or dairy milk)

• 1 mashed banana

• 1 tsp flax seeds

• 1 tsp turmeric

• 1 tsp honey

• Topping Ideas: Strawberries, Cacao nibs, Omega 3 Seed mix or Extra banana

METHOD

1. The night before, add the oats, mashed banana, flax seeds, turmeric, honey and almond milk into a tub and stir until well combined. Seal in an airtight tub and leave in the fridge overnight (at least 6 hours).

2. Pour oat mixture into a bowl and top with toppings of your choice.

Happy Cooking!

Ruth xxx