Turmeric is a member of Curcuma with a botanical name Curcuma Longa. Turmeric is widely grown as a kitchen spice but has enormous medicinal benefits. Powdered root of turmeric is the most common form found in almost all kitchens worldwide. It has a bright mustard color and can be listed among some of the best herbs ever on earth.
Health Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric has enormous health benefits along with being loaded with nutrients and minerals. Let's see some of the benefits
High medicinal Value: Turmeric is a widely used herb in India for treating various ailments naturally because of the composition of elements in it. Turmeric contains curcuminoids and the most important is curcumin, which has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and is a strong antioxidant. Curcumin is fat soluble so it can be taken with a fatty meal too.
Natural anti-inflammatory Compound: Turmeric contains natural anti-inflammatory compound which is incredibly important in building the natural immunity of body. Without inflammation pathogens like bacteria can invade our body, but it’s a problem when it’s out of control and attacks the healthy tissues. Curcumin in turmeric helps fight chronic inflammation. It's very powerful that it matches some of the drugs but without side effects.
Natural Anti-Oxidant: Turmeric is said to have natural antioxidant properties. Oxidative damage is said to occur due to aging and other diseases. It also involves free radicals with unpaired electrons. The free radicals tend to react with important organic substances like fatty acids, proteins and DNA. Antioxidants protect our body from free radicals. Curcumin neutralizes the free radicals due to its chemical structure while enhancing the body’s own antioxidant enzymes.
Improved Brain Function: Neurons in the brain is capable of making new connections. Brain derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF is the process that drives the function. It's a type of growth hormone that functions in your brain and many disorders are linked to decrease of this hormone, such as depression, Alzheimer's etc. Curcumin helps increase the brain levels of BDNF. It's also said that turmeric helps to improve memory and make you smarter!
Lowers risk of heart diseases: Curcumin helps in enhancing the functioning of Endothelium. Endothelium is the lining of blood vessels and endothelial dysfunction contributes to most heart attacks.
Helps In Cancer Treatment: Cancer is uncontrolled cell growth. Curcumin has been found to be a beneficial herb in cancer treatment which affects cancer growth, development and spread.
Treatment of Alzheimer's: It is said that inflammation and oxidative damage play a major role in Alzheimer's disease and curcumin has benefit for both. So, it's safe to say they help in the treatment of Alzheimer's too.
Arthritis Treatment: Arthritis occurs due to inflammation at the joints. Again, in the previous section we have known that turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties.
Beneficial against Depression: Depression is linked to reduced levels of BDNF and shrinking hippocampus. Curcumin is said to boost the BDNF levels and reversing the changes.
Side effects Of Turmeric
Like anything good has its bad, turmeric too has its side effects when taken in quantities that’s not needed for the human body.
When Taken By Mouth: Turmeric is safe when taken in small quantities by mouth. Turmeric products that produce 8g of curcumin per day for a span of 2 months is said to be safe.
Skin Application: Turmeric is often used in beauty products and home skin care remedies. It is said to be safe to be applied on skin.
Precautions While Taking Turmeric
Turmeric is without doubt a very useful spice, but too much of it is definitely not healthy and not good for the body.
Pregnancy and Breast feeding: Its safe for pregnant women to eat in quantities that’s found in cooked food, but not safe when taken in medicinal quantities as it initiates periods putting pregnancy at risk.
Gall Bladder Issue: Turmeric can make gall bladder problems worse.
Bleeding Problems: Turmeric can slow the blood clotting process and increase the risk of increased bleeding.
Diabetes: Curcumin further reduces the blood sugar in people with diabetes, therefore it should be had with caution.
Turmeric is no doubt a spice that should be present at every household. Apart from the innumerable benefits they have also been found to help in the treatment of cold and throat issues.
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