ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MANGO SMOOTHIE
Children love this sweet smoothie loaded with anti-oxidants, fibre and super healthy fats. Fresh turmeric has a lovely subtle falvour and its addition makes this drink highly anti-inflammatory. The taste of turmeric is completely masked by the rest of the ingredients, so you can sneak this in for even the trickiest of customers!
Ingredients
- 1 medium ripe mango
- 1 medium banana
- 2 inch thumb of fresh turmeric
- 1 pinch pepper
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. If using powdered turmeric add 2 tsp.
- Serve straight away or chill for later – It will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
THE SCIENCE BIT
TURMERIC is one of those wonder foods with a vast array of health benefits. It is highly anti-inflammatory and has tremendous mood boosting properties. It helps promote the production of glutathione, one of the body’s most significant antioxidants, and has significant blood sugar balancing properties. A study in 2009, published in Biochemistry and Biophysical Research Communications showed that curcumin in turmeric was 400 times more potent than Metformin – a drug widely used to manage diabetes. Adding pepper makes turmeric up to 20 times more bioavailable! BANANAS are a great source of easily digestible fibre. They are loaded with anti-oxidants and are an excellent source of potassium – research has shown that many children with autism can be low in potassium and that by adding potassium into the diet there can be significant improvement in sensory processing. Bananas can also help increase serotonin levels – this is our feel good neurotransmitter. Bananas also contain mega amounts of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) which is required for GABA (an inhibitory neurotransmitter) hormone production within our brain – this can be really helpful for children who tend towards hyperactivity. Besides having more than 20 different vitamins and minerals, MANGOS contain flavonoids like betacarotene, alphacarotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin, which help vitamin A to impart antioxidant strength and vision-protecting properties, maintaining healthy mucous membranes and skin. COCONUT MILK has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties and contains medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) that are easily digested and readily cross cell membranes. MCFAs are immediately converted by our liver into energy rather than being stored as fat.
