Turmeric is a spice that is known to be one of the most effective nutritional supplements in existence.
Several studies show that many of the benefits of turmeric for your body and brain are due to one of its main active ingredient, curcumin.
Turmeric has been used in India for thousands of years as both a spice and medicinal herb and gives food and curries its yellow colour.
Curcumin being the main active ingredient in turmeric is known to have anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.
5 Health Benefits of Turmeric
1. Turmeric is a Natural Anti-inflammatory
Turmeric is commonly used to fight inflammation and this is mainly due to the presence of the compound Curcumin.
Since chronic inflammation can lead to several chronic diseases, turmeric can help treat conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, and arthritis.
2. Turmeric Helps Protect Against Heart Disease
Heart disease is known to be the number one cause of death in the world. Turmeric is shown to improve the health of the thin membrane covering the inside of the heart and blood vessels.
The function of this membrane is associated with ageing and an increased risk of heart disease.
Thus, turmeric may help protect against age-related loss of function and reduce your likelihood of developing heart disease.
3. Turmeric May Help Treat or Prevent Diabetes
Turmeric is shown to treat and prevent diabetes, as well as associated disorders like diabetic nephropathy (also called diabetic kidney disease), which affects people with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, turmeric may help prevent diabetes and improve many of the factors that contribute to it including insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and hyperlipidemia (medical term to describe high levels of fat in blood).
4. Turmeric May Help in Treating Depression
According to a small study, turmeric is known to be as effective as an antidepressant.
Depression is linked to reduced levels of BDNF and a shrinking hippocampus, a brain area with a role in learning and memory.
Turmeric can help boost BDNF levels, potentially reversing some of these changes and can boost the brain neurotransmitters and dopamine.
5. Turmeric can help delay ageing and fight age-related chronic diseases
Due to many of its positive health effects, such as the potential to prevent heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer, curcumin may help in longevity and ageing related issues.
Common brain disorders like Alzheimer’s are associated with lower levels of BDNF, a protein that plays a key role in keeping nerve cells (neurons) healthy, as well as regulating communication between nerve cells.
Uses of Turmeric
Traditional Uses of Turmeric:
- Turmeric is used in households for treating cough, anorexia, dysentery, abdominal pain, respiratory ailments, and dental disorder.
- The turmeric paste is an excellent antiseptic, and that is why it is applied to the umbilical cord of newly born babies.
- The combination of turmeric and neem is very effective in treating chickenpox, smallpox, and measles (rubella).
- It is also used for treating gastrointestinal disorders like liver disease, ulcers, and flatulence.
Therapeutic Uses of Turmeric:
- Turmeric helps to detoxify the body and improve liver health.
- Turmeric plays an important role in reducing platelet aggregation, which improves blood circulation and protects against atherosclerosis.
Skin Care Uses of Turmeric
- Turmeric has a strong antibacterial property, and therefore it can help in any bacterial infection on the skin.
- The gel form of Curcumin is used in treating photodamaged skin (solar elastosis, solar lentigines, and actinic poikiloderma).
- Several cream or lotion-based formulations are prepared using turmeric, which showed great potential to reduce the hairs on the face and acne infections and improve skin naturally.
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Turmeric contains Curcuminoids, and it has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Due to this, it is used as a cosmeceutical.
Easy Turmeric Recipes to Try at Home
Turmeric Kulfi
With just three ingredients and a few steps, turmeric kulfi is the perfect summer dessert to relish with your family. Fresh turmeric is added to boiled milk followed by sugar and frozen in moulds for a chilled kulfi.
Mint and Turmeric Chutney
Chutneys are a quintessential Indian accompaniment and are a part and parcel of every Indian meal. Here is a mint and turmeric chutney perfect to prep up your next meal. Hand churned spices mixed together with coriander, plum and jam for a tangy chutney that you can pair with piping hot parathas.
Turmeric Scrambled Eggs
Looking for a speedy supper or a brunch with a difference? Try out turmeric scrambled eggs, a twist on a classic dish ready in just 15 minutes flat.
Try Mangaal Harvest’s Turmeric Products
Here is our collection of Organic Turmeric products.
Turmeric Powder
With its vibrant colour, strong aroma and great flavour, turmeric is used across cultures to brighten up dishes. In addition, this spice also has many health benefits. It contains curcumin, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Activated Turmeric
One common variation to turmeric or Haldi powder, as it is commonly known, is Activated Turmeric.
The main Active ingredient is Pepper. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents prevailing in Turmeric get absorbed faster than turmeric powder.
Turmeric Root
Turmeric and especially its most active compound curcumin have many scientifically-proven health benefits.
It's a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and may also help improve symptoms of depression and arthritis
Turmeric Leaves
Crushed turmeric or haldi leaves can help boost digestion and reduce problems of gas and bloating.
Mango Turmeric Pickle
Mangaal Farms' Mango Turmeric Pickle is made with no artificial colours and flavours added. Store the product in a cool and dry place.
Sources:
https://pharmeasy.in/blog/turmeric-benefits-uses-side-effects/
