Turmeric, also referred to as Indian saffron, is a flowering plant that grows in India and Southeast Asia. The turmeric spices you see on condiment racks came from the roots of the plant under the Ginger family. The deep orange-yellow color has influenced many cultures to use it as a dye and is also the primary ingredient of curry powder.
Curcumin is the primary active component of turmeric and the one that gives the spice its distinctive golden color. You can attribute curcumin for much of the potential medical benefits of turmeric. Unfortunately, turmeric and curcumin do not absorb well into the bloodstream. To achieve the levels of turmeric and curcumin proved to be beneficial, you will need to buy turmeric powder and take it as supplements.
Here are the top health benefits of turmeric.
Anti-Inflammatory
One of turmeric’s defining qualities is that it’s commonly used to reduce pain and inflammation because of curcumin. With the right dosage, curcumin could be a more successful anti-inflammatory medication than traditional drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen, according to an earlier study. As chronic inflammation leads to many illnesses, curcumin may help cure conditions such as arthritis, pancreatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Aids digestion
The primary reason that we buy turmeric powder for curry is that it adds an extra layer of flavor to food. But, turmeric may also play a key role in digesting the meal. Because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, turmeric may help in better digestion. Ayurvedic medicine even uses it as a digestive healing agent. Western medicine is also studying whether turmeric can assist with abdominal swelling and intestinal absorption.
Antioxidant
One component behind aging and many ailments induced by free radicals is oxidative damage. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant that can nullify free radicals. Because of its excellent chemical stability and improved activities of antioxidant enzymes in the body, it inhibits them first, and then activates the antioxidant defenses in the system.
Lowers risk of heart disease
Curcumin can also improve endothelium, a membrane that helps regulate blood pressure. Reduced endothelial function is linked to aging and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Hence, curcumin may help protect against age-related loss of function. Another research has shown that curcumin was as successful in increasing endothelial function in patients with type 2 diabetes as the medication atorvastatin, a treatment widely used to decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke.
May prevent cancer
As inflammation is closely linked to tumor development, anti-inflammatory agents such as curcumin may play a role in the treatment and prevention of different forms of cancer, including breast, colon, stomach, and skin cancers. A study in mice shows that curcumin can help delay the spreading of infected cells and may slow the occurrence of tumors. It may disrupt the emergence of tumor cells at different phases of the cycle, interrupt cellular pathways, and directly kill cancer cells.
There are many medical benefits of including turmeric in your diet as the golden spice is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and reduces the risk of heart disease. Like any alternative treatment, consult a doctor before using turmeric to treat any medical conditions you may have. There’s a wide selection of Turmeric powder online and make sure they have excellent reviews!