Turmeric (Curcuma longa), the bright yellow spice used throughout Asia for centuries, has in recent decades been embraced by the West, not just for its ability to satisfy our appetite for curry, but for its impressive list of health benefits.
Grown for its root, turmeric has an ancient history of uses in cooking, fabric dyeing, cosmetics and traditional medicine in China and India. Its potent ingredient, curcumin, not only gives turmeric its golden colour, but also has a dazzling array of properties that are beneficial to health. Let’s take a look for it’s multiple benefits.
Anti-inflammatory
Long-term inflammation has been implicated in most chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancer. The curcumin in turmeric has proven, very strong anti-inflammatory properties that block the action of inflammatory molecules in the body. Studies show positive effects of curcumin on people suffering from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, amongst others.
Powerful Antioxidant
Curcumin has been shown to be effective in removal of oxygen free radicals, which are chemically active molecules that cause damage to the body’s cells. Free radical damage, along with inflammation, is a key driver of cardiovascular disease, so curcumin can play a part in preventing and managing heart disease. Curcumin blocks them directly and then stimulates your body’s own antioxidant defenses. Hence, it’s a powerful antioxidant.
Improve brain function
Many common brain disorders have been linked to decreased levels of hormones, including depression and Alzheimer’s disease. Long term intake of turmeric may be effective in delaying or even reversing many brain diseases and age-related problem in brain function. It may also improve memory by improving the condition.
Improve heart health
One of the main benefit of turmeric when it comes to heart disease is improving the function of the endothelium, which is the inner lining of blood vessels. Endothelial dysfunction is a major reason of heart disease as this type of dysfunction decrease ability of the endothelium to regulate blood pressure and other factors like blood clotting. So, taking turmeric keeps your endothelium in healthy condition and keep the heart healthy.
Anti Cancer in nature
Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. There are several form of cancer. According to various studies, curcumin has been a beneficial herb in cancer treatment and been found to affect cancer growth and development.
Studies have explored turmeric influence on cancer and found that it can affect cancer formation at a molecular level and hence can reduce the spread of cancer as well as contribute to the death of cancerous cells. Turmeric protect your body from cancer and even can protect against it if it is present.
Prevent & Treat Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the world. Prevention is key here. It is known that chronic inflammation and oxidative damage play a role in Alzheimer’s disease. Since curcumin has remove both the risk factors, it act as a boon to prevent the disease.
Another key feature of Alzheimer’s disease is a buildup of protein tangles called amyloid plaques in brain. As per studies, turmeric has been shown to lead to various improvements in the pathological process of Alzheimer’s disease.
Anti Arthritis
Given that curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory compound, it makes sense that it may help with arthritis. Several studies result also support this. In a study in people with rheumatoid arthritis, curcumin was even more effective than an anti-inflammatory drug due to it’s other added benefits.
Anti aging
Curcumin can really help prevent heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s, it would have obvious benefits for longevity. For this reason, curcumin has become very popular as an anti-aging supplement. By regular intake make your skin beautiful and flawless.
Conclusion
Turmeric can boost the immune system and act as an anticancer agent. People with pain caused by inflammation also benefit the most. Turmeric is commonly used for conditions involving pain and inflammation, such as osteoarthritis. It is also used for hay fever, depression, high cholesterol, a type of liver disease and itching. Some people use turmeric for heartburn, thinking and memory skills, inflammatory bowel disease and many other conditions and it works also.
You can take it in form of turmeric tea or with milk which is famously called as golden milk, but most common use is in everyday meal. A pinch of turmeric is enough and can do miracle on everyday basis.
Taking too much turmeric may cause side effects like stomach acidity, which can cause ulcers and it has a blood-thinning effect. So, take it in moderation and enjoy the benefits of turmeric/curcumin.
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