Turmeric, the most powerful spice that helps cure a thousand ailments. You won’t be able to do without it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turmeric is one of those spices that seems simple, but does so many good things. It’s been used for centuries, especially in Eastern cuisine, but today you can find it everywhere\u2014in savory dishes, drinks, even desserts. Its bright yellow color makes you happy and immediately suggests something healthy. And indeed it is: it’s known for its anti-inflammatory properties, aids digestion, and, in general, is beneficial for just about everything. It’s not a miracle worker, but when included in a balanced diet, it can be a real help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turmeric is a plant that produces a spice used not only in food but also as a nutritional supplement to prevent and treat many ailments and diseases. Numerous studies show it has significant medicinal properties, beneficial for the body and brain. Here are the top 10 health benefits of turmeric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Turmeric, the spice with a thousand virtues!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color. It has been used in India for thousands of years as an aromatic and medicinal herb. Recently, science has started to support what Indians have known for a long time \u2013 it does indeed contain compounds with medicinal properties ( 1 ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n These compounds are called curcuminoids, the most important of which is curcumin. Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric and is responsible for most of its properties described below. Curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very effective antioxidant. However, its content in turmeric is not that high. It represents about 3% by weight ( 2 ). Most studies have used turmeric extracts with dosages generally above 1 gram per day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be very difficult to achieve these levels using the spice alone in foods. Therefore, if you want to experience the full effects, you need to take a supplement that contains significant amounts of curcumin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. Consuming black pepper, which contains the natural substance piperine, increases the absorption of curcumin ( 3 ). The best curcumin supplements contain piperine, which significantly increases its effectiveness. Curcumin is also fat-soluble, so it might be a good idea to take it after a fatty meal with the addition of a tablespoon or two of extra virgin olive oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Turmeric Fights Inflammation <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Turmeric, or rather curcumin, has anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, it is so powerful that it is comparable to the effectiveness of some anti-inflammatory drugs, without the side effects ( 7 , 8 , 9 ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Turmeric is a natural antioxidant. Additionally, curcumin stimulates the activity of your body’s antioxidant enzymes ( 12 , 13 , 14 ). It directly blocks them, thus stimulating your body’s antioxidant defenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Turmeric improves brain function<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n . Many brain disorders including depression and Alzheimer’s disease have been linked to reduced levels of BDNF, a type of growth hormone ( 16 , 17 ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Interestingly, curcumin may increase brain levels of BDNF ( 18 , 19 ). In this way, it may be effective in delaying or even treating many age-related brain diseases. Turmeric may also improve memory, which seems logical given its effects on BDNF levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Turmeric Lowers the Risk of Heart Disease<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Curcumin may help heart disease patients ( 20 ). Perhaps the main benefit of turmeric is that it improves the function of the endothelium, which is the lining of blood vessels. Endothelial dysfunction is known to be a major contributor to heart disease and involves the endothelium’s inability to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting, and various other factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One study found it to be as effective as exercise, while another shows it works as well as the drug atorvastatin ( 21 , 22 ). Additionally, turmeric reduces inflammation and oxidation, which also play a major role in heart disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One study involved 121 people undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery and were divided into 2 groups. One group took a placebo and the other 4 grams of curcumin daily, a few days before and after surgery. The group taking curcumin had a 65% reduced risk of having a heart attack in the hospital ( 23 ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Turmeric has anticancer effects! Multiple studies indicate that curcumin can reduce the growth of cancer cells in the lab and inhibit the growth of tumors in tested animals ( 26 , 27 ). Whether high-dose curcumin (preferably with an absorption enhancer such as piperine) can help treat cancer in humans has yet to be properly studied. However, there is evidence that it may prevent cancer from occurring in the first place, particularly digestive system cancers such as colorectal cancer. In a 30-day study in 44 men with lesions in the colon that sometimes become cancerous, 4 grams of curcumin per day reduced the number of lesions by 40% ( 28 ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps turmeric and its active ingredient will one day be used alongside conventional cancer treatment. Additionally, a key feature of Alzheimer’s disease is a buildup of proteins called amyloid plaques ( 31 ). Studies show that turmeric can help remove these plaques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8. Turmeric Used for Arthritis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Arthritis is a common problem in Western countries. There are several types, most of which involve inflammation of the joints. Because turmeric has effective anti-inflammatory properties, it may help arthritis patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a study of people with rheumatoid arthritis, curcumin was even more effective than an anti-inflammatory drug ( 32 ). Several other studies have examined the effects of turmeric on arthritis and noted improvements in various symptoms ( 33 , 34 ). Turmeric has shown some benefits in treating depression. In a controlled study, 60 people with depression were randomized into three groups ( 35 ). One group took Prozac, another group one gram of curcumin, and the third group took both Prozac and curcumin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After 6 weeks, curcumin led to improvements similar to Prozac. The group taking both Prozac and curcumin saw greater improvements in symptoms. According to this small study, curcumin is as effective as an antidepressant ( 35 ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depression is also linked to reduced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and a shrinking hippocampus, an area of \u200b\u200bthe brain that plays a role in learning and memory. Curcumin increases BDNF levels, potentially reversing some of these changes. There is also some evidence that curcumin can increase the brain neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read also: Ginger: 10 health benefits you need to know to never go without it again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10. Turmeric delays aging<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If turmeric can indeed help prevent heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s, it would have obvious benefits for longevity. For this reason, turmeric has become very popular as an anti-aging supplement. But since oxidation and inflammation are believed to play a role in aging, curcumin may have effects that go far beyond simple disease prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contraindications and side effects: Side effects may include nausea, diarrhea, skin rashes, and a bitter aftertaste. Taking high doses of turmeric is not recommended if you are taking anticoagulant medications, as it thins the blood.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Turmeric, the most powerful spice that helps cure a thousand ailments. You won’t be able to do without it! 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<\/strong>Scientists now believe that chronic inflammation plays a major role in nearly all chronic Western diseases. This includes heart disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, and various degenerative conditions ( 4 , 5 , 6 ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Oxidative damage is thought to be one of the underlying mechanisms of aging and many diseases. It involves free radicals, highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons. Free radicals tend to react with important organic substances, such as fatty acids, proteins, or DNA. The main reason antioxidants are so useful is that they protect the body from free radicals. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals due to its chemical structure ( 10 , 11 ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. There are many different forms of cancer, and some of them appear to be affected by curcumin supplements. Curcumin has been studied as a beneficial ingredient in cancer treatment and has been shown to influence the growth, development, and spread of cancer at the molecular level ( 24 ). Studies have shown that it can contribute to the death of cancer cells and reduce angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels in tumors) and metastasis (spread of cancer) ( 25 ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Turmeric Prevents and Treats Alzheimer
<\/strong>‘s Alzheimer’s is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the world and a leading cause of dementia. Unfortunately, there is still no good treatment for Alzheimer’s. Curcumin has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier ( 29 ). Inflammation and oxidative damage are known to play a crucial role in Alzheimer’s disease, and curcumin has beneficial effects on both ( 30 ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Turmeric for Depression<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turmeric should not be consumed by people with gastritis or those with gallstones or biliary obstruction. It can cause intestinal ulcers if used for long periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n