Turmeric originated in India, where people have been gathering turmeric roots to use in food and medicine for over 4,000 years. It is closely related to ginger. If you know what turmeric can do for your health, you may recognize its bright golden colour and mild, slightly peppery flavour in the curry at your favourite Indian restaurant. The health advantages of turmeric are numerous in addition to its deliciousness.
Turmeric has been demonstrated to promote heart health, fight cancer, protect the liver, treat depression as effectively as Prozac, and provide a safe, natural alternative to ibuprofen. Due to its antibacterial qualities, turmeric can treat wounds, cure acne, and even improve your ability to think properly. In China and India, it has also been utilized in Ayurveda and other traditional medical practices.
The primary active component of turmeric is curcumin, a polyphenolic natural substance with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Similar to other vibrant plant-based foods, turmeric is packed with phytonutrients that may shield the body from harm by scavenging free radicals (pollution, sunlight) and neutralizing them. The prevention of diseases like cancer and heart disease is linked to diets high in plant-based foods.
Studies in the scientific community have focused on curcumin and other components of turmeric. More research will be necessary to see whether turmeric has any benefits for mood disorders, depression, or dementia. According to certain research findings, persons with osteoarthritis reported less joint discomfort after consuming turmeric in recipes.
The following are the benefits of turmeric
- Prevents Inflammations
- Improves Brain Functioning
- Reduces Depression
- Increases Immunity
- Reduces Cholesterol
- Prevents Cancer
- Improves Digestion
- Reverses Diabetes
- Relieves Arthritis Pain
- Delays Aging
- Heals Wounds
1. Prevents Inflammations
In Ayurvedic medicine and Eastern Asian medicine, turmeric has been used for ages as an anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic. Similar to how over-the-counter pain relievers work, turmeric not only decreases existing inflammation but also can prevent your body from creating the molecules that cause inflammation in the first place.Although the inflammatory response of the body is intended to keep us safe and secure, it occasionally goes into overdrive.
Curcumin, the primary active component of turmeric, interacts with a variety of chemicals that cause inflammation to lessen excessive or persistent inflammation.Early studies suggest that curcumin may help treat inflammatory disorders like pancreatitis, arthritis, and stomach pain.
2. Improves Brain Functioning
The action of curcumin, the active component of turmeric has been demonstrated to improve brain function. Curcumin has been demonstrated to boost brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is linked to better brain function and a lower chance of developing brain illnesses, as well as memory and mood.
3. Reduces Depression
Curcumin may raise levels of serotonin and dopamine, two brain chemicals that influence mood, according to certain animal studies. You might be able to handle unexpected stress better. While additional research is required, turmeric’s antidepressant properties may be a useful supplement to counseling or pharmacological therapy when combined with a stress-reduction plan and expert medical advice.
4. Increases Immunity
Turmeric’s anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral capabilities have been shown to increase immunity and shield the body from several ailments. It makes sense why our elders advocate the daily use of a teaspoon of turmeric mixed with a glass of warm milk.
Why not include this magical spice in your diet every day? A tablespoon of turmeric provides minerals like phosphorus, manganese, and potassium as well as a variety of nutrients that keep you healthy and powerful.
5. Reduces Cholesterol
Recent research indicates that this is by no means its exclusive function. According to research, turmeric provides a variety of therapeutic benefits for heart health, LDL cholesterol (commonly known as “bad” cholesterol), and much more.
But turmeric appears to have the capacity to precisely inhibit cholesterol formation in the liver, halt and block its absorption in the gut, and most critically, lessen LDL cholesterol oxidation in the lining of arteries.
6. Prevents Cancer
Several research demonstrates that turmeric has anti-cancerous effects, particularly for breast, intestine, stomach, and skin cancer cells. Although there is little laboratory research in this area, it does not substitute for standard cancer treatment. Because taking herbal supplements won’t make cancer go away, routine screening tests like mammograms, Pap tests, and colonoscopies are strongly advised.
7. Improves Digestion
Since ancient times, turmeric has been used to enhance liver function and treat digestive issues because it helps to increase bile flow, which is necessary for the digestion of dietary lipids, from the gallbladder into the intestines. By aiding phase 2 liver detoxification and boosting the generation and activity of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant, turmeric also improves liver detoxification.
8. Reverses Diabetes
The highly active component of turmeric, curcumin, has been demonstrated to assist in lowering blood sugar, potentially aiding in the treatment or prevention of Type 2 diabetes. Turmeric may help prevent the progression of prediabetes into diabetes, although more human subjects-focused research is required. A healthy BMI (20–25), 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week, and limiting carbs are all effective ways to fend off diabetes.
9. Relieves Arthritis Pain
Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and joint pain have all been linked to turmeric’s anti-inflammatory effects. While more clinical trials are required to evaluate the precise effectiveness of curcumin supplements for arthritis, preliminary research suggests that turmeric may have effects that are comparable to those of NSAID treatments for arthritis.
For instance, a 2016 meta-analysis discovered evidence supporting the efficacy of utilizing turmeric extract in additionto standard medication.
10. Delays Aging
The potent antioxidant capabilities of turmeric curcumin are another advantage. As they increase the activity of the antioxidant enzymes in our bodies, these antioxidants aid in the prevention of cell damage. To combat these black spots and stop skin aging and wrinkles, turmeric is utilized. It treats a variety of skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, scars, and greasy skin.
11. Heals Wounds
The complex process of healing a wound involves multiple stages, including coagulation, inflammation, the buildup of radical chemicals, proliferation, the development of fibrous tissues and collagen, and the constriction of the wound with the subsequent production of granulation tissue and scar tissue.
Due to its bio-functional properties, particularly its antioxidant, radical scavenger, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities, which are crucial to the wound healing process, curcumin, the most active component of the rhizome of Curcuma longa L. (commonly known as turmeric), has been studied for many years. Curcumin also sped up the management of wound restoration since it encouraged the creation of the growth factors necessary for wound healing.
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