Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin/All About Turmeric/Health Benefits of Turmeric -Curcumin Longa

 Turmeric

Common Name: Turmeric, Turmeric Root, Indian Saffron

Latin Names: Curcuma longa, synonym Curcuma domestica; Curcuma aromatica

Image Courtesy:gettyimages.in

Turmeric or Indian Saffron called the Golden Spice comes from the root Curcuma Longa. Turmeric has been used in India for thousands of years for cooking and in traditional medicines.

Turmeric is a common spice and a major ingredient in curry powder in Indian Cuisine. Curcumin is a major component of turmeric which gives the deep orange-yellow color accompanied with range of health benefits. These include antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and rich antioxidant properties as well.

Turmeric powder has a warm, slightly bitter and earthy flavor with a unique strong aroma. It is one of the most effective natural nutritional supplements. Turmeric is extensively grown in tropics and is the root of the flowering plant.

Ancient Indian System of Treatment like Ayurveda and Siddha recommends turmeric for a variety of health conditions like chronic pain, inflammation, joint pain, skin conditions, allergies, respiratory infections and many more.

Western medicine has begun to study turmeric as a pain reliever and a healing agent. It is used for conditions like osteoarthritis, hay fever, depression, high cholesterol, liver disease, itching, heart burn, stress, blood pressure etc. Let’s find out more about what this wonder spice can do to your health.

Turmeric is a natural Anti-Inflammatory

Inflammation is a crucial process. It helps the body fight foreign invaders caused by bacteria, viruses and injuries. Without inflammation, pathogens like bacteria could take over your body and might even lead to death.

Although short term inflammation is beneficial, it becomes a serious complication if it becomes chronic and unseemly attacks your body’s own tissues.

Scientists are coming to the conclusion that chronic, low-level inflammation plays a major role in almost every disease including heart disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s etc.

The curcumin in turmeric has strongly anti- inflammatory properties, so powerful that it matches the effectiveness of some anti-inflammatory drugs without any side effects.

Here are some ways in which turmeric can be included in our day to day diet other than adding in our curries

Turmeric Tea –Immune Booster

Turmeric Milk/Golden Milk

Turmeric increases the Antioxidant Capacity of the body

Oxidative damage is believed to be one of the mechanisms behind ageing and many diseases. Curcumin present in turmeric has antioxidant properties that help fight free radical damage and stress. Curcurmin when consumed regularly is believed to neutralize the free radicals. Turmeric helps in boosting the anti-oxidant capacity of our body.

                                  image courtesy: gettyimages.in

Turmeric may help prevent Cancer

Cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases and it is becoming more common by the day. Characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, this disease has many forms each as bad as or worse than the other.

Curcumin has been studied as a beneficial herb in cancer treatment and been found to affect cancer growth. Scientific studies have shown that curcumin can contribute to the death of cancerous cells, reduce the spread of cancer and inhibit the growth of cancer.

Curcumin is poorly absorbed into our blood stream. However, for it to be completely absorbed, turmeric has to be consumed along with black pepper which contains piperine. Piperine is a natural substance in black pepper which enhances the absorption of curcumin effectively in our body, thereby helps in preventing cancer.

Many nations all over the world are now studying whether high doses of curcumin can prevent cancer altogether.

Turmeric is an excellent Pain Reliever - Eases Arthritis Pain

Arthritis is a problem which is becoming very common nowadays. Arthritis is the swelling, stiffness and tenderness of one or more joints causing severe pain and worsens with ageing. The most common types of arthritis are Osteoarthritis and Reumatoid Arthritis. As curcumin happens to be a potent anti-inflammatory compound, it reduces the swelling and the pain in the joints. Many studies even show that turmeric is more efficient than most anti-inflammatory drugs.

                                                                     Turmeric Milk

Turmeric may help delay or reverse Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases affecting many people. But unfortunately treatment for this cruel disease is not yet found. Hence, preventing it is the best we can do. Not all is dark as there might be good news on the horizon.

Inflammation and oxidative damage play a key role in Alzheimer’s diseases and as mentioned above curcumin has favourable effects on both. There is growing evidence that curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier and may help to protect against Alzheimer’s disease. It works by reducing the inflammation as well as the build-up of protein plaques in the brain that are the basic charateristics of Alzheimer’s disease sufferers.

 Turmeric helps in fighting Depression & Anxiety

Curumin has shown promising results in treating depression.  Recent studies report that curcumin, the bioactive compound present in turmeric is linked to treating anxiety, depression and many other mental illnesses probably as it boosts serotonin and dopamine levels.

Scientists are exhilarated to announce that curcumin may be just as effective as prozac with fewer side effects and is an excellent anti-depressant.

Here's a short video of how to make Turmeric Tea

Turmeric lowers the risk of Heart Disease

Curcumin plays a vital role in the prevention of heart disease. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can improve the function of the endothelium [thin membrane that lines the inside of the heart and blood vessels].

Recent studies found that turmeric can lower LDL-low density lipoproteins - “bad” cholesterol, with zero side effects. This helps in reducing the risk of developing heart disease or even stroke.

Scientists continue to do researches on the heart protective possibilities that this spice might have. One such study found that turmeric can help ward off heart attacks in people who have bypass surgery.

Turmeric helps in Boosting Immune System

Turmeric plays a vital role in boosting our immune system. A strong immune system is basic key to protect our body from disease causing pathogens. When our body is inflamed the immune system is suppressed making us more susceptible to illness and infections.

 The anti-inflammatory property of curcumin in turmeric helps in functioning of immune system properly. This thereby boosts the immune system when consumed daily and helps us fight cold, flu and cough. Do check out how to make TurmericTea and Turmeric Milk here.

                                                                      Turmeric Tea

Turmeric helps in blood sugar management in Type 2 Diabetes

Inflammation and oxidative stress are the two major factors which play vital role in diabetes. As curcumin can help fight inflammation and reduce oxidative stress, it helps in keeping blood sugar levels at bay, it is often used to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes.

A study proved that when those who have prediabetes take curcumin for 9 months, the odds that they would develop diabetes is lowered. Several other studies conducted suggest that curcumin can help people with diabetes in different ways, which may include improving insulin resistance and cholesterol levels.

Content Source: Wikipedia, Google, Webmd etc

Here are some ways in which turmeric can be included in our day to day diet other than adding in our curries

Turmeric Tea –Immune Booster

Turmeric Milk/Golden Milk

Check out other interesting health drinks, kashayams, coffee and tea here.

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