Almost every spice that is used and cooking provides some health benefits but turmeric tops the list. Turmeric is also one of the most researched herb that has found positive impact in curing many health conditions even better than the prescribed medicine in many cases.
This ancient folklore medicine is used for healing wounds to treating cancer. Turmeric is sometimes used with other popular herbs such as ginger and garlic but in most cases it is used on its own.
Curcumin is the most important nutrient in turmeric providing most of the medicinal properties of turmeric.
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric belonging to Ginger family is native to South Asia. The plant is cultivated annually during monsoon and the rhizomes are used in most of the curries. The yellow color in the curry comes from turmeric.
The rhizomes can be used fresh during the season and in dried powder form throughout the year. It is also used as natural dye.
Turmeric contains a group of the following compounds called curcuminoids
- diferuloylmethane (curcumin)
- demethoxycurcumin
- bisdemethoxycurcumin
Turmeric also contain following powerful volatile oils
- turmerone
- atlantone
- zingiberene
Out if all its important and useful components curcumin is most researched for its therapeutic values.
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Health Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric is very beneficial to your health and has no side effects. Excess of anything is bad, so the rule applies to turmeric also. Following are some of the most important benefits offered by turmeric to keep you healthy.
1. Prevents Diseases Due to Its Anti-inflammatory Properties
The most important health benefit is provided by anti-inflammatory capabilities of curcumin in turmeric. Inflammations are main causes of many diseases and health conditions including major health conditions ranging from chronic pain to ulcerative colitis, arthritis, heart diseases, cancer Alzheimer and other degenerative conditions.
Researchers have found curcumin to be more powerful than commonly prescribed medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Both these medicines and other have many side effects for their long term use.
When inflammation is controlled. Many conditions can be reversed and stopped from recurring. Therefore, make turmeric as part of your daily intake. Add to your food. There is no other herb as powerful as turmeric.
2. Improves Brain Functioning
Alzheimer is one disease whose treatment is unfortunately not yet been found. As a result it leads to dementia. Since oxidative stresses and inflammation play a role in Alzheimer and curcumin has been found to be dealing well with both oxidative stresses and inflammation, researchers are finding it encouraging to treat Alzheimer.
The protein build up in the brain called Amyloid plaques is responsible for Alzheimer. Curcumin has been found to clear the Plaque. More research is required to see if the progression of protein build up can be stopped by curcumin.
Since Turmeric has been good for inflammation, a regular use gives you so many benefits, add turmeric in your regular diet.
3. Reduces Depression
Turmeric has been found to be antidepressant. Some studies have compared the impact of turmeric on the depression by comparing the impact with anti depressant drug prozac. The finding showed the same effect. This is significantly important as turmeric is natural and has no side effect.
Some researcher have found that curcumin can in turmeric boost the brain neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. This boost improves the mood of person and get him out of depression.
4. Increases Immunity
In addition to curcumin a compound known as lipopolysaccharide is responsible for boosting immunity of the body. The antibacterial and and anti-fungal properties keep the microorganism at bay. All these properties do not let cold, flu and other infections to impact you.
5. Reduces Cholesterol
Curcumin in turmeric has been found to reduce LDL- the bad cholesterol responsible for the plague built up in the arteries. The power of curcumin is very similar to the LDL reduction achieved with exercise.
Researchers have compared cholesterol reducing drugs lipitor with curcumin and found them equal in reducing cholesterol. Turmeric has no side effects so consume one gram of turmeric daily. It is safe quantity for daily consumption.
6. Prevents and Treat Cancer
Researchers have found that turmeric prevents prostate cancer.
7. Improves Digestion
Curcumin improves digestion and people suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), Crohn’s disease, and Ulcerative Colitis can benefit by taking turmeric in their daily diet.
Researchers have found that people suffering with the above conditions were able to leave their medicine by consuming turmeric.
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8. Controls and Reverses Diabetes Type 2
Curcumin in turmeric controls and regulate blood sugar well. It also reduces insulin resistance.
9. Provides Relief From Arthritis
People suffering from any kind of arthritis, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis get relief from use of turmeric. The anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin and antioxidants in the turmeric reduce inflammations and prevent harm caused by free radicals.
The most common arthritis drugs (diclofenac sodium), though reduces pain but causes leaky guts and heart diseases. Researchers have found curcumin in turmeric more powerful to deal with arthritis pain than diclofenac sodium.
Do not underestimate the healing power of turmeric. Use it regularly. If you add it to your foods, it adds a flavor and eye pleasing yellow color. Get used to the yellow color even if you don’t like it as the benefits are many to even consider color as a positive or negative.
10. Delays Aging
Just imagine, if your inflammations are controlled, you don’t get cancer, your heart diseases are averted, your digestion improves then what happens? You certainly increase your chances to live longer. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities of turmeric acts as anti-aging agent.
Your overall quality of life also increase when pains and aches are gone. So turmeric not only delays the aging process it improves the quality of life also. Turmeric should be certainly part of your anti-aging supplement.
11. Heals Wounds
Turmeric is a natural antibacterial and antiseptic agent. When you get minor cuts and bruises and bruises, you can apply turmeric powder on the affected area. Your woulds will heal fast. Make sure that your cloths are protected from turmeric as it acts as a strong dye. The color sets on the cloth is permanent so be careful.
In addition to the above there are a large number of other minor health conditions turmeric cures. Add turmeric to your daily diet and stay healthy.