Turmeric - how to make sure you reap the benefits + Duggie's TU*GO Turmeric Power Bar Review
Turmeric is one of the most widely discussed super foods. It is a spice commonly used in curries but it is also heralded as being "the most effective nutritional supplement in existence".[1]
This is not the first time I've blogged about turmeric. In August 2015 I wrote about its nutritional benefits and how you can use turmeric for your pups and puss cats.
I'm writing about turmeric again because a few weeks ago I had the pleasure of tasting some turmeric bars from Turmeric Life. I'm always on the lookout for new super healthy foods and when I saw these bars on my Instagram feed, I just had to give them a go.
Turmeric Life is run by Dr Doug English. He is an Australian vet who has been researching turmeric for years and has compiled anecdotal evidence on the benefits of turmeric for animals.
After chatting via Instagram, Doug's lovely son dropped by later that day to deliver me some of the turmeric bars. We had a stimulating conversation on the benefits of turmeric, the bars and some other exciting plans that are in the early phases for his dad's business.
I was super excited to hear that these bars are great for animals as well. With five furry friends at home, I was keen to try them out.
The bars (called Duggie's TU*GO Turmeric Power Bars) offer a medicinal dosage of turmeric in a way that is easily absorbed by your body. They are kind of like a piece of fruitcake without as much sweetness (a little less moist too). They are vegan, raw, gluten free with no added sugar and no GMOs.
In addition to turmeric powder, the bars contain dates, sultanas, almond meal, chia meal, linseed meal, pepitas, cacao powder, coconut oil, pepper and cinnamon. There's a new ginger variety as well which has the same ingredients as the original but with the addition of ginger. You can really taste the ginger in these bars and if you're a lover of ginger, you will love them!
I just love that these bars contain 10 doses of turmeric in an easily absorbable serve.
The animal testing at home was as successful as I thought it would be. The dogs loved them, the cats not so. Whilst the bars contain cacao, it is such a small amount that it won't have a toxic effect on your pup.
One serve of these bars provides a great treat for your pup and will be featuring as a regular on our doggy treat menu!
Just in case you're new to turmeric, let me introduce you to the main benefits:
It contains strong natural anti-inflammatory compounds.
It dramatically increases the antioxidant capacity of the body.
It boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which is linked to improved brain function and a lower risk of brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.It may reverse heart disease.It can help prevent (and potentially treat) cancer.
It may be useful in preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease.
It can help treat symptoms of arthritis.
It can alleviate symptoms of depression.
It may help to slow down ageing and fight age-related diseases.[2]
Dr English, has found the spice helps our furry friends with:
Skin health.
Arthritis.
Cancers.
Stimulating the immune system.
Dementia.
Irritable Bowel Disease.
Liver detoxification.
Lung disease.[3]
To make sure you (and your furry companions) are getting the benefits of turmeric, it is recommended to consume in a paste which combines organic turmeric with cold pressed organic coconut, olive or flaxseed oil and black pepper. Combining turmeric with oil and black pepper increases the body's ability to absorb the benefits of turmeric. It also helps to cook the turmeric paste for greater absorption.[4]
See Dr English's recipe for Golden Paste below. From a convenience and taste perspective, I recommend consuming Duggie's TU*GO Turmeric Power Bars, which you can purchase here.
Duggie's TU*GO Turmeric Power Bars are a great way to ensure that you do reap all the benefits of turmeric with the added benefit that they taste so much better than other ways of eating turmeric.
What's your favourite way of including turmeric in your (or your furry companion's) diet)? Let me know in the comments below.
[1] Kris Gunnars, ‘10 Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin’, Authority Nutrition, http://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric/, viewed 27 August 2015.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Turmeric Life 2015, ‘Doug English – Turmeric for Animals’, http://www.turmericlife.com.au/doug-english-turmeric-for-animals/, viewed 21 November 2016.
[4] Turmeric Life 2015, 'Turmeric Recipes - Golden Paste', http://turmericlife.com.au/turmeric-recipes-golden-paste/, viewed 21 November 2016.
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