Turmeric is more than a spice used for flavor. It has amazing healing powers. And for that reason, it has been used for centuries as both food and medicine.
Our ancestors knew that there were plenty of health benefits of turmeric. So before there was Western medicine, people turned to the spice to deal with aches, pains, and disease.
And even though we now have access to drugs and hospitals, people still find relief from using turmeric. There’s something nice about using something from nature as opposed to something from a pill box.
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Curcumin vs Turmeric
Curcumin is a main component of the spice as well as a major contributor to the health benefits of turmeric. Curcumin is rich in healing antioxidants and contributes to healthy cell activity.
Supplements will sometimes be sold as turmeric and other times as curcumin. The two have similar properties and benefits. The difference is that curcumin is an isolated form of one of the most healing components of turmeric.
The Health Benefits of Turmeric
So now you know that turmeric is used for its medicinal properties. But you might be wondering what exactly this buzz is all about.
Turmeric has an array of health benefits. And this isn’t just anecdotal. Many people profess that turmeric transformed their health.
Here are a few of the amazing health benefits of turmeric.
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Improves Heart Health
Turmeric may help lower your blood pressure, reduce risk of blood clotting, and lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol. For that reason, it’s considered a heart healthy spice.
Research shows that curcumin may help heal blocked arteries. This is a key risk factor for heart disease.
So if you want a healthy heart, turmeric is a great addition to your nourishing meal plan.
Lowers your Risk of Dementia/Alzheimer’s
Memory loss is common with advanced age. But turmeric may help your memory for years to come.
Worldwide, over 50 million people live with dementia. That’s about 6 to 8 percent of the population over 60 years old.
Curcumin is helpful in protecting the brain cells to delay memory loss. Additionally, it may encourage brain cell growth, further protecting from disease.
Helps Manage Blood Sugar
No, turmeric won’t make it so that you can gorge on pizza and ice cream. But it may assist your other efforts to lower blood sugar and maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
High blood sugar is a key risk factor for metabolic syndrome. And this can increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
A 2013 study showed that curcumin may lower risk for key markers of diabetes. This includes insulin resistance which stems from long-term elevated blood sugar.
Reduces Arthritis Pain
Arthritis is an unavoidable risk of aging. Most people will eventually experience the aching joint pain that comes with arthritis.
Curcumin has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. And these can be especially helpful when dealing with age related inflammation and pain.
In fact, a 2019 study showed that turmeric was very effective at reducing knee pain due to arthritis. Amazingly, curcumin given three times a day was just as effective as medication for arthritis pain reduction.
Improves Depression
It’s not all in your head. Depression is a serious condition. And we’re fortunate to have many medications on the market to help those who suffer.
However, there is research that shows that turmeric can be an effective alternative for some. Studies connect depression with inflammation. And turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory.
It seems like not only may turmeric help ease depression. It may also help depression medications work more effectively.
Of course, always check with your doctor first to make sure that the benefits of turmeric will be right for your health regimen.
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Slows Cancer Growth
While we don’t yet have anything conclusive, it appears that turmeric may be effective for fighting cancer.
Turmeric has powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. And inflammation is thought to be a potential factor in cancer growth.
Laboratory and animal studies seem to indicate that turmeric can benefit the fight against cancer in a couple of ways. First, including it in the diet may help with cancer prevention. Additionally, taking it after diagnosis may slow its growth and spread.
How to Take Turmeric
So you know that turmeric is good for you. How do you get more of it?
There are many ways to get more turmeric in your diet. Here are some of the more popular options.
- Add it to curries or stews
- Use it in your rice recipe
- Put it in a smoothie or a juice blend
- Shake it on roasted vegetables
- Pour it into a Frittata
You can also take it as a supplement. This is most effective for those seeking a higher intake.
Check with a healthcare provider if you’re looking for treatment. Otherwise, 500 mg once or twice a day may be a good place to start for general health!
