Looking for simple diet changes that could improve your fitness and performance? This week, Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu, founder of The Turmeric Co., explains the natural performance benefits of turmeric…
Raw turmeric root is nature at its most powerful. When it comes to performance nutrition, Lucozade and other big companies might have the marketing dollars and flashy sponsors. However, raw turmeric is an ingredient that can truly transform the way your body recovers from performance sports. The natural performance benefits of turmeric have been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Now, hundreds of modern trials and studies have proven these benefits.
Performance benefits of turmeric
Turmeric has many performance benefits. Although we’ve been hearing this anecdotally for some time, research into turmeric’s properties is steadily growing, and we’re now starting to see just how beneficial the inclusion of turmeric can be for performance. Perhaps the most significant performance benefit of turmeric is its anti-inflammatory properties. For this reason, many people, from professional athletes to sufferers of conditions like arthritis, have benefited from turmeric.
Turmeric’s active ingredient – curcumin – is an incredibly powerful natural anti-inflammatory. It works by encouraging the healthy development of new cells and the maintenance of existing ones. This has proved game-changing for athletes.
I started The Turmeric Co. after discovering the anti-inflammatory power of the root for myself, having used a blend of the raw root to make a recovery – against all odds – from a severe knee injury as a youngster. Therefore, for anyone looking to repair their muscles and recover more quickly, consuming raw turmeric can be totally transformative – as it was for me. Plus, turmeric is also a great source of vitamin C, fibre, iron and potassium.
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory benefits, boosting muscle recovery.
Where to buy turmeric for improved performance
Turmeric Shots from The Turmeric Co.
At The Turmeric Co., we make the same powerful and fresh recipe that helped me, in delicious, easy-to-drink shots.
To some extent, turmeric has been a victim of its own success. Given its incredible properties, it’s now widely available in products from tablets to gummy bears. However, not all turmeric forms are created equal. In fact, by far the most effective way to incorporate turmeric into your diet is by using the fresh root of the vegetable.
In its dried, powdered, ground, or tablet form, the number of nutrients it retains compared with the raw root is significantly reduced. Furthermore, it also won’t be absorbed efficiently into the body without combining it with piperine – black pepper – which all of our shots contain.
Of course, you can buy raw turmeric and cook with the root, if you’ve got the tools, time, and patience. However, this can get time-consuming and messy, which is not ideal for anyone looking to maximise their performance.
In order to spend more time on the track, on the bike, in the pool, or anywhere but the kitchen, we developed our all-natural, fresh shots with a whopping 35g of raw turmeric root. Plus, it’s sweetened with refreshing natural ingredients like coconut and lemon for an easy-to-drink, naturally powerful addition to your performance arsenal.
As someone who has had the very best nutritional support throughout my career, I can safely say turmeric truly is nature at its most powerful. You only have to look at what our fitness ambassadors at places like KXU Gym and TRX have to say about it. Try it and feel that extra edge for yourself!
