A steaming bowl of soup offers unmatched warmth and solace on a chilly autumn night.
The Benefits of This Soup
This soup is crafted with anti-inflammatory ingredients and spices, making it a perfect remedy to soothe symptoms of the common cold, flu, allergies, and asthma. Although inflammation is a crucial part of the body's immune response, chronic inflammation can result in the body turning against its own tissues.
Chronic inflammation is linked to a variety of diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and cancer. Turmeric lentil soup has been shown to lower inflammation, potentially reducing the risk of these conditions. For those already affected, it may even help alleviate symptoms or reverse the progression of the disease.
Turmeric is celebrated for its strong anti-inflammatory effects. It supports fat metabolism and weight control, relieves chronic coughs, fortifies ligaments, improves skin condition, speeds up wound healing, purifies the bloodstream, prevents cancer, serves as a potent anti-arthritic, aids digestion, and can lower cholesterol levels.
Research has found that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, can decrease the risk of heart attacks by up to 65% in patients after coronary bypass surgery.
Curcumin is also acknowledged as a powerful anti-cancer compound. Various studies have shown its potential in inhibiting the production of enzymes responsible for cancer, thus lowering the risk of the development and proliferation of cancer cells. Turmeric combats cancer by blocking the activity of the Topoisomerase enzyme, essential for the replication of cancer cells, thereby preventing the spread of cancer cells in the body.
Adding coconut milk to soups is beneficial as well. It's a rich source of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese, selenium, and essential fatty acids. Selenium is crucial for thyroid and immune functions and may aid in preventing heart disease, cancer, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Lentils contribute to heart health by improving blood cholesterol levels, regulating blood pressure, and lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke. They are especially advantageous for individuals with diabetes and in preventing type 2 diabetes.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups water
- 1.5 cups coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1.5 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 cups red lentils
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 4-5 cardamom pods
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon sea salt or Himalayan salt
- pinch of black pepper
Method:
- Wash the red lentils in cold water, rubbing them in a bowl of water until the water is clear for optimal results.
- Allow the lentils to drain thoroughly.
- As the lentils drain, heat the coconut oil in a medium-sized pot and sauté the onions over medium heat until they turn soft and golden.
- Stir in the turmeric and garlic, cooking for approximately 2 minutes, stirring often.
- Pour in water and increase the heat to high.
- When it reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to medium, add the lentils and cardamom, and let it simmer covered for around 15 minutes.
- Stir in the coconut milk, tomatoes, cinnamon, cumin, sea salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking until the lentils are tender, which should take about 10-20 minutes. For a creamier soup, let it simmer for approximately an hour.
- Serve the soup warm, topped with pumpkin seeds and coconut flakes.
