10 Benefits of Turmeric
Aesthetically Placed Powdered Turmeric in a Bowl
Turmeric is a well known spice utilized in cooking a variety of dishes, but it has also been used to treat various health issues for centuries due to its anti-inflammatory powers. This root is often referred as the Indian saffron and is originated in Southeast Asia.
Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric and has been found to have preventive health advantages. Turmeric helps with muscles soreness, exercise induced inflammation, and also enhances performance and recovery in active inpiduals.
There are numerous more effective health benefits of turmeric, including the following:
Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation can result in various health conditions including heart diseases, metabolic syndrome, and even cancer, as well as cognitive decline. Turmeric has a powerful anti-inflammatory property which can help in reducing inflammation and prevent the potential health issues. The best way of using turmeric is to add it in your food. For instance, top up your salad with a pinch or two or turmeric.
Fights Free-Radical Damages
Turmeric has been found to enhance the antioxidant capacity and fights free-radical damages. This offers benefits for brain functions and immune system. It can increase the natural antioxidant capacity of your body and boost up the defense system to fight and eliminate any potential dangers. This also provides protection to your skin from environmental pollutants. You can include a teaspoon of turmeric in your smoothie or green juice to give your body an antioxidant boost.
Improves Immune System
Curcumin in turmeric has antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties which makes it a powerhouse of health promotion. Although curcumin doesn’t properly absorb well in the bloodstream but consuming it with black pepper can help in enhancing its absorption rate.
Helps Ease Joint Pain
The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric help in easing joint pain. Research has demonstrated promising outcomes of the ability of curcumin and turmeric to manage inflammation and pain liked with arthritis. It also helps reduce soreness for athletes.
Treats and Prevents Cancer
Research has also shown that curcumin and turmeric can play a role in preventing and treating cancerous cells. Turmeric is known as a natural cancer fighting agent with promising findings in both human and animal studies.
Guards Your Heart
Both turmeric and curcumin have been found to safeguard the heart in many ways including fighting free radical damage, decreasing inflammation, and enhancing endothelial function. Therefore, it is recommended to add cooking turmeric to high fiber dishes like barley, quinoa, or rice.
Treats Your Gut
Many people link turmeric with spicy food but it is utilized for treating inflammatory bowel issues like irritable bowel syndrome and colitis. If you are experiencing gut problems, try making a soothing soup with chicken broth and a pinch or turmeric to get relief.
Enhances Mood
Curcumin in turmeric has also been found to have potential uses in treatments for depression through reversing the harmful brain changes which happen in depressive state. Research has also shown its ability to potentially increase levels of mood-regulating neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.
Protects Brain Functions
Since curcumin cross the barrier of blood-brain, research has indicated that the brain might benefit from the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin to prevent health conditions like Alzheimer’s. It is best to utilize turmeric with other foods that protect brain functions, like walnuts and olive oil.
Improves Cognitive Functions
It has also been found to enhance levels of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) which is known to play a significant role in the cognitive functions. This indicates that turmeric has the ability to enhance the brain health.
Supports Digestion
Turmeric plays an important role in aiding food digestion. This golden spice contributes towards healthy digestion due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Turmeric has been utilized in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries as a digestive healing agent. In recent years, western medicine has also started exploring the ways turmeric can assist in reduce inflammation in the gut to enhance the efficiency of the digestive system.
Ways to Include Turmeric in Your Diet
Turmeric is well known for being versatile and can be utilized in numerous meals in a number of ways. Here are some of the ways you can incorporate turmeric in your diet:
- Add in a pinch or teaspoon of turmeric in spice mixtures like barbecue sauce or curry
- Create a salad dressing by mixing together vinegar, oil, turmeric, and other seasoning
- Change up your usual marinade recipes by including turermic
- Add a pinch of turmeric in a warm glass of milk before heading to bed
There are numerous other effective means of adding turmeric in your diet. You can also find and consumer turmeric in supplement form including tinctures, extracts, fluids, and capsules. You can consume turmeric with a protein extract, Bromelain which is found in pineapples, to enhance the effects and absorption of turmeric.
There are countless health benefits of using turmeric in your daily diet including digestion aid, pain relief, and support for the immune system. However, it is essential to keep in mind that there might be some side effects of turmeric for some inpiduals. For instance, some have reported upset stomach.
Therefore, it is highly recommended that you exercise caution when trying turmeric, especially for the first time. It is best to consult your health care provider to discuss the best ways of using turmeric in your diet to treat a health condition.
If you have any questions or confusion about incorporating turmeric in your diet, or how it can assist in treating your health condition then feel free to come for a health consultation by booking an appointment by today.Alliance Orthopedics offers a range of health services to help you reach and maintain your health goals.
Our expert health providers can help you in creating the right lifestyle strategies and diet plans so you can take optimal advantage of this powerhouse golden spice.