Turmeric is a lot more than just a little spice – it has numerous health benefits, too. We here at Ageless Nutrition put together a list of 10 proven health benefits of Turmeric just for you!
1. Turmeric is a source of Curcumin
Curcumin is the yellow pigment contained within the spice which soothes the oxidative processes of the body. Oxidation describes the body’s ability to fight back against free radicals, which can be negatively impacted if we don’t get enough of particular anti-oxidants. When this happens we call it oxidative stress (Healthline) and it can cause diseases if we are exposed to it frequently.
2. Turmeric contains anti-inflammatory properties
It’s that Curcumin again! It has anti-inflammatory properties which help to soothe swelling. BBC Good Food suggests this is because curcumin slows down the inflammatory pathways, but speculates that more research needs to be done on the “why” it works.
3. Turmeric keeps your brain healthy
Another compound found inside this ground-up spice is Tumerone, which studies have shown to speed up the processing of neural stem cells within the brain. In an article by the NHS, this experiment was performed on rats, so more testing is needed to confirm the correlation between Turmerone and brain health in humans.
4. Turmeric can be used as a salt substitute
When it comes to flavoring food that is where many of us fall into the trap of over-seasoning. Perhaps not because of flavoring but because we are trying to cover the blandness of the food. Next time you find yourself reaching for the salt try adding a pinch of turmeric instead and spice up your meal with a healthy alternative.
5. Turmeric helps strengthen your heart
That bio-active ingredient curcumin contains polyphenols which are responsible for the anti-inflammatory goodness found in turmeric. According to WebMD previous studies have shown that these qualities found in this spice are powerful heart strengtheners and can even prevent heart failure… so if you have a heart condition turmeric may be exactly what you need to stay healthy.
6. Turmeric can help treat certain cancers
Cancer is caused by the overproduction of cells within the body. These cells do not know they are unhealthy and continue to grow rapidly. In some specific cancers, the curcumin found in turmeric has been shown to affect the growth, speed, and development at which these cells appear. Cancer Research UK has all of the details.
7. Turmeric helps fight against Alzheimer’s Disease
Those neuro-protective properties we mentioned earlier are specifically good at minimizing and/or slowing down the progress of this degenerative brain condition. The Alzheimer’s Society has concluded that curcumin is an important ingredient for future studies into treating the disease.
8. Turmeric minimizes arthritis pain
The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric can help with a whole range of conditions; from settling an upset stomach to helping your heart stay healthy. One area where doctors report a positive impact of turmeric supplements is in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Arthritis.org suggests it is a key component in reducing swelling, pain, and inflammation that this particular disease causes.
9. Turmeric has anti-aging properties
Of course, we love the anti-aging properties of turmeric. This works because curcumin lessens the effects of oxidative stress on the internal organs by soothing them. This minimizes pain and swelling on the inside, which keeps you looking youthful on the outside!
10. Turmeric can help battle depression
Top of our list is depression – the silent killer. We turned to Psychiatry Advisor to ask the experts what they thought on the use of Turmeric to treat depression and they reported that this seemingly innocent little spice shows promise in future medication development.
So as you can see, Turmeric is more than just a tasty way to stay healthy and should be an essential part of all our diets! This wonderful spice and turmeric supplement can improve your life in many ways, and we are happy to help!