Top 10 Health Benefits of Turmeric:
1. Antioxidant
Turmeric’s antioxidant properties are comparable to blueberries, based on comparative research results. Antioxidants are best known for their ability to fight free radicals that damage your body’s cells.
This is important because free radical damage contributes to cancer, heart disease, and other conditions that can be prevented or delayed through the use of antioxidants.
2. Anti-inflammatory Properties
The active compound in turmeric, curcumin, provides a host of anti-inflammatory benefits. A 2006 study published in the “Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine” found that curcumin was comparable to steroid treatment in relieving the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Turmeric may also help relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study published in the April 2008 issue of “Pharmacological Research.”
3. Antimicrobial Properties
Turmeric has been used for centuries as an antiseptic and antimicrobial agent in Ayurvedic medicine. Turmeric extracts can inhibit bacterial growth, such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.
Turmeric can also fight the flu virus, according to a study in “Phytotherapy Research” in 2009. Make turmeric a part of your healthy diet and it may one day save your life!
4. Arthritis Relief
Turmeric helps relieve pain associated with arthritis by reducing inflammation. In one study, scientists found that curcumin in turmeric was comparable to ibuprofen in treating pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.
5. Beneficial for Cancer Patients
In a laboratory study conducted on human breast cancer cells, the curcumin in turmeric was found to inhibit the growth of these types of cells.
Researchers believe that curcumin interferes with enzymes necessary for tumor growth and blocks some enzymes involved in the production of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow.
Turmeric is best used in its natural form and not as a dietary supplement. That’s because turmeric supplements have low bioavailability, which means that the human body doesn’t absorb much of it.
You can improve the absorption of curcumin by combining it with black pepper or fresh ginger juice. Black pepper contains piperine, which inhibits an enzyme responsible for removing curcumin from your body.
6. May Fight Alzheimer’s Disease
Turmeric has been used for centuries as a natural treatment for various ailments and conditions. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, scientific studies indicate that it can help prevent and treat many health problems such as cancer, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.
7. May Prevent Colds
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, laboratory studies indicate that curcumin in turmeric can block various chemical reactions involved in inflammation and cell damage associated with heart disease.
Since inflammation is also believed to be an important part of some respiratory infections, eating turmeric regularly can help prevent colds.
8. Skin Protection
Besides many other health benefits of turmeric, it also has antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. According to research, curcumin can prevent or treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and allergic reactions.
9. Sleep Aid
The curcumin in turmeric can help you sleep by blocking a chemical that stimulates nerve cells in the brain involved in waking up and suppressing chemicals that induce sleep. According to a study published in “Neuropsychopharmacology” in 2009, curcumin is the only known substance that acts on both inflammation and neurotransmitters.
10. May Help with Weight Loss
Turmeric helps increase your body’s metabolic rate by stimulating the production of several enzymes, including cytochrome p450. This enzyme helps your body break down fats in the liver so they can be used for energy. Increasing this enzyme also means that your body burns more fat for energy.
There are numerous benefits of consuming turmeric. With winters approaching, you can incorporate this magical spice into soups and sauces and enjoy a warm evening. In addition to having microbial properties, turmeric provides your body with warmth and helps reclaim the chills of winter.
Aside from many other health benefits of turmeric, here are 10 reasons to add turmeric to your diet.
- It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
- Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer. When combined with cauliflower, it has been shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
- May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by removing amyloid plaque buildup in the brain. It stops the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
- Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin. It May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
- May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
- A Potent, Yet Safe Anti-Inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.
- Is a natural liver detoxifier and a natural painkiller and a cox-2 inhibitor.
- Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
- May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide. Studies are ongoing on the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.
