Health Benefits of Turmeric
Rose May Pimentel in Health
Nov 19, 2020 • 3 min Read
Turmeric, also known as luyang dilaw, is a common food item in the Filipino pantry. Often, it is used as an ingredient in our favorite dishes and also made into tea because of its various medicinal benefits.
According to health experts, turmeric, the main spice in the Indian dish, is arguably the most powerful herb on the planet at fighting and potentially reversing disease. Here are some of the amazing benefits of this golden spice, from Healthline:
1. Contains Bioactive Compounds With Powerful Medicinal Properties
Turmeric contains curcumin, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Most studies used turmeric extracts that are standardized to include large amounts of curcumin.
2. Curcumin Is a Natural Anti-Inflammatory Compound
Curcumin is strongly anti-inflammatory, it’s so powerful that it matches the effectiveness of some anti-inflammatory drugs, without the side effects. Turmeric can fight chronic inflammation. Therefore, it is of potential importance in preventing and even treating diseases (such as heart disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, and Alzheimer’s).
3. Dramatically Increases the Antioxidant Capacity of the Body
Curcumin has powerful antioxidant effects. It neutralizes free radicals on its own but also stimulates your body’s antioxidant enzymes.
4. Curcumin Boosts Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Linked to Improve Brain Function and Lower Risk of Brain Diseases
Curcumin boosts levels of the brain hormone, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which increases the growth of new neurons and fights various degenerative processes in your brain. Many common brain disorders have been linked to decreased levels of this hormone, including depression and Alzheimer’s disease. It may be effective in delaying or even reversing many brain diseases and decreases age-related brain function. It may also improve memory and will make you smarter.
5. Curcumin Should Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
Curcumin has beneficial effects on several factors known to play a role in heart disease. It improves the function of the endothelium and a potent anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant. Endothelial dysfunction is a well-known major driver of heart disease and involves an inability of your endothelium to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting, and various other factors. One study found that curcumin is as effective as exercise while another shows that it works as well as the drug Atorvastatin. Also, curcumin reduces inflammation and oxidation, which play a role in heart disease as well.
6. Can Help Prevent (And Perhaps Even Treat) Cancer
Curcumin has been studied as a beneficial herb in cancer treatment and has been found to affect cancer growth, development, and spread at the molecular level. Studies have shown that it can contribute to the death of cancerous cells and reduce angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels in tumors) and metastasis (spread of cancer). Also, there is evidence that it may prevent cancer from occurring in the first place, especially of the digestive system, colorectal cancer.
7. Arthritis Patients Respond Very Well to Curcumin Supplements
Arthritis is a common disorder characterized by joint inflammation. Many studies show that curcumin can help treat symptoms of arthritis and is in some cases more effective than anti-inflammatory drugs.
8. Curcumin May Help Delay Aging and Fight Age-Related Chronic Diseases
Due to its many positive health effects, curcumin may aid longevity. For this reason, curcumin has become very popular as an anti-aging supplement.
Start your turmeric journey now. Go cook up some curry and/or enjoy a cup of turmeric tea!
Stay healthy and safe!
