Golden oatmeal revamp: Turmeric and pepper's health Synergy

"Golden" is more than just its colour; it's renowned for its beneficial effects on the body, making oatmeal the perfect way to kick-start your day.

The ingredient that lends oatmeal its "golden" hue is turmeric, a spice that, despite its benefits, is often overlooked. A pinch of turmeric (roughly recommended daily amounts range from 2 to 3 grams) is enough to support overall body function. Nonetheless, turmeric's effectiveness is significantly enhanced by the addition of pepper, which boosts its bioavailability. Surprisingly, this combination works well even in sweet oatmeal dishes. This is a recipe you need to know.

Turmeric is packed with curcumin, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Thus, turmeric can be beneficial in managing various inflammatory conditions, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. However, the perks of incorporating turmeric into oatmeal extend beyond its anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Turmeric also aids digestion, accelerates fat metabolism and helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

On the other hand, Pepper contains piperine, a substance that enhances the bioavailability of curcumin. Piperine facilitates the body's absorption of curcumin, maximizing turmeric's effectiveness (adding a little pepper to oatmeal is nothing to worry about). But there's more to pepper than just that. Piperine boosts the production of gastric juices, aiding digestion. Additionally, pepper's warming properties can improve circulation and alleviate pain. Together, pepper and turmeric synergize, boosting their health benefits.

Ingredients:

• 75 grams of mountain oat flakes,
• 250 milliliters of milk,
• 1 teaspoon of maple syrup or honey,
• half a teaspoon of turmeric,
• half a teaspoon of cinnamon,
• a pinch of pepper,
• 1 small apple,
• walnuts for sprinkling.

Preparation:

1. Pour the milk into a pot, add the spices, and heat the mixture.
2. Add the oat flakes to the warm milk and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Mix in the maple syrup (or honey, if preferred, when the oatmeal is slightly cooler) close to the end of cooking.
4. Serve the oatmeal in a bowl, topped with apple grated finely and a sprinkle of walnuts.