Like many Indian spices, turmeric also has a long history in traditional medicine and it is used in many ayurvedic remedies as well. This spice which is filled with flavor is primarily cultivated from the roots or the rhizomes of a flowering plant that is grown in India and other parts of Southeast Asia. Aside from giving its vibrant yellow color to curry turmeric is also known for having the properties of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant according to some past reviews. Let’s check many Health Benefits Of Turmeric in this article.
Curumin is the primary active component of turmeric that gives the spice its characteristic yellow color. Indeed we can give credit to curcumin for most of turmeric’s potential health benefits.
Health Benefits Of Turmeric
- Helps control blood sugar levels : The highly active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin which helps lower the blood sugar and potentially helps in treating or preventing type 2 diabetes. Turmeric may be useful in helping prevent prediabetes from developing into diabetes.
- Improves heart health : Turmeric has shown that it helps improve cholesterol and blood pressure which are the two conditions that often go hand in hand. Turmeric has the potential to improve overall heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease or even heart attacks by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. But we will suggest consulting your doctor if you are taking blood pressure medications before beginning a turmeric regimen.
- Antioxidant properties : Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory food and can reduce the circulating levels of free radicals in the body.
- Aids in virus protection : At some low doses curcumin has the ability to enhance antibody responses which helps the body mount a response to viruses. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, researchers say that curcumin may even help alleviate some symptoms of Covid-19.
- Helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease : Turmeric can help in preventing Alzheimer’s or help slow its progression. Further, turmeric can also act as a neuroprotective in treating Alzheimer’s. Due to this Confounding decrease in Alzheimer’s disease, it is their radically different diet—with less processed foods and meat intake.
- Aids liver function : Health benefits of turmeric are many and using turmeric judiciously may improve liver function, improvement in detoxification, and reduce hepatic disorders. The curcumin property of turmeric has been shown to limit the damage to the liver from an iron overdose, ethanol, cirrhosis, and carbon tetrachloride.
- Improvement in skin health : turmeric benefits the skin in improving several skin conditions like ulcers, wounds, eczema, and psoriasis. The antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties in turmeric make it a popular skincare ingredient that is associated with brightening or evening skin tone.
Turmeric Powder Benefits
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- Provides relief from arthritic pain : The anti-inflammatory properties in turmeric have been instrumental in treating osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The antioxidant property in it also destroys the free radicals in the body that damage the cells. Anybody who is suffering from this condition should consume turmeric on a daily basis to relieve themselves of mild joint pains and inflammation though it does not stand as a substitute for medication.
- Good for brain : There is another powerful compound present in turmeric powder benefits as aromatic turmerone or ar-turmerone as much as curcumin. Research has shown that this compound promotes repair in the stem cells of the brain, the same stem cells that can help in the recovery from neurodegenerative diseases like stroke and Alzheimer’s. Curcumin can also help to improve memory in Alzheimer’s patients.
- Regulates Mood : Turmeric powder benefits help to regulate mood which includes the treatment of depressive disorders.
- Reduces body fat : Eating healthy and exercising are the two main ways to maintain healthily body fat levels but using turmeric in your diet can be an addition to your diet to alter the composition of fat cells in your body.
Turmeric Side Effects
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- Some mild turmeric side effects include acid reflux, upset stomach, dizziness, diarrhea, and headaches.
- If you consume a large dose of turmeric then it can significantly increase the levels of urinary oxalate which increases the risk of kidney stone formation.
- Turmeric acts as a blood thinner so you should avoid it if you are having a bleeding disorder.
- Medications including antidepressants, antibiotics, blood thinners, cardiac medications, and chemotherapy treatments can interact negatively if turmeric is added to the diet.
- It can result in dangerously if you are having low blood sugar levels.
- Stomach problems such as acid reflux and gallstones can be aggravated by turmeric.
- If you are on iron supplements you shouldn’t take turmeric as it limits iron absorption.
- Avoid taking turmeric supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Though you can include them in your regular food.
Depending on your health and other conditions keeping in mind, kidney stones or gastrointestinal disorders, in this case, you should speak with your doctor before taking any turmeric supplements.
Turmeric Powder Benefits From Tea And Its Preparation
Turmeric tea can be prepared from either pure turmeric powder or grated or ground, dried turmeric as it is beneficial for the health, skin, and getting better sleep.
Follow the steps to make a perfect cup of turmeric tea:
- Boil 2 cups of water.
- Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of powdered turmeric or greeted whatever you prefer.
- Allow the mixture to simmer for approx 8 to 10 minutes.
- Strain the tea into a container and let it cool down for 2 to 3 minutes.
- You can also add Honey if you prefer to sweeten the tea and give the mixture more anti-microbial properties.
Turmeric is sometimes called Indian saffron or the golden spice so make good use of our Indian spice in your diet for overall betterment.