Get a healthy dose of antioxidants with a side of vibrant color with this super spice.

There's no shortage of foods that boast health-boosting powers, but if you're over kale (is that even possible?), we've got another good-for-you ingredient that'll shake up your routine: turmeric. The vibrant spice has been around for years — 4,000 to be exact — but it's having a major resurgence with creative cooks everywhere, moving beyond classic curries and into smoothies, sweets and everything in between.

What it is: Used for centuries in Chinese and Indian medicine as a powerful anti-inflammatory, turmeric comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. It has a warm, peppery flavor and a bright orange color that comes from the root's deep orange flesh.

Why you'll want to eat it: Not only does it add vibrant color and dimension to dishes, the anitoxidant-packed powder has some pretty amazing (and proven) health benefits too. It's most well-known for its anti-inflammatory powers, which help curb heartburn and indigestion, but it can also improve circulation and fight cancer-causing free radicals and Alzheimer's thanks to curcumin, a powerful antioxidant.

How to eat it: Turmeric is an essential ingredient in Indian curries and even yellow mustard, but that's not the only way to get your fix. Here are a few unexpected ways to eat and drink the age-old spice:

Add to a smoothie, hot cocoa, over your French fries, in a Tonic, or spice up your muffins.

Source: thenest.com/content/turmeric-is-the-super-spice-that-does-it-all