What is turmeric?
Turmeric is a spice that belongs to the Indian kitchen. The spice specifically contains medicinal properties. The reason for being an important spice is its miraculous healing properties.
You name the problem, and turmeric gives you the solution. It treats skin problems, regulates the immune system and promotes digestion. Turmeric contains a chemical compound called curcumin. The compound helps to protect the body against oxidative stress and inflammation.
It also acts against the uncontrolled proliferation of cells like cancers. Additionally, it aids in the management of arthritis, metabolic syndrome, anxiety and hyperlipidaemia.
NCBI states that turmeric helps in the management of exercise-induced inflammation and muscle soreness, which helps to enhance performance and recovery in physically active people.
Additionally, curcumin cannot be ingested directly. If ingested directly, we will not get the full health benefits because of its poor bioavailability, which is due to rapid metabolism, rapid elimination and poor absorption.
The benefits of turmeric are explained, and its potential health benefits are listed below in this blog.
Benefits of turmeric
Bioactive compounds with medicinal properties
Turmeric contains a chemical or bioactive compound called curcumin. According to NCBI, several constituents of turmeric contain chemoprotection against chronic diseases like Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). These results were concluded at the end of both in vitro and in vivo results.
Additionally, human clinical trials have provided positive results regarding the efficacy of turmeric and its compounds.
Turmeric is used as a dietary supplement for various conditions like digestive disorders, arthritis, respiratory infections, liver diseases, depression and allergies.
Turmeric is a major curry spice used in almost all dishes in Indian cuisine. It is also used to treat skin diseases, digestive disorders and other ailments.
Natural anti-inflammatory compound
The anti-inflammatory property of turmeric is due to the presence of a compound called curcumin. This compound is responsible for the yellow colour of the spice.
Since it contains anti-inflammatory properties, it helps to reduce pain and increases movement in people with osteoporosis.
According to Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is used to effectively treat liver diseases and digestive disorders, wounds and other skin diseases, as it contains anti-inflammatory properties.
Additionally, research studies show that turmeric helps prevent and reduce joint inflammation. And it will also help reduce stiffness, inflammation and pain related to arthritis.
To get relief from digestive disorders proper amount of supplementation is crucial. A research paper published in the Journal of Medicinal Food on turmeric extracts concluded that eight to twelve weeks of treatment with turmeric extracts help reduce the pain caused due to arthritis. The study was combined with a placebo.
Increases the antioxidant capacity of the body
Turmeric contains natural antioxidant capacity. The process of early ageing may be caused due to oxidative damage, and this mechanism is believed to play a role in treating many diseases like cancer.
When free radicals and highly reactive molecules are high in number, such diseases are caused. An increased number of free radicals tend to react with organic compounds like DNA, proteins and fatty acids.
Antioxidants help to reduce the number of free radicals and protect the body from oxidative stress. The chemical structure of the bioactive compound in turmeric helps neutralise free radicals.
Animal studies have confirmed the antioxidant property of turmeric. However, human trials are required for the same.
Boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor
The polyphenols in turmeric help increase the brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Additionally, turmeric with black pepper and a fat source helps can be beneficial to health.
It also increases bioavailability and helps the body absorb faster. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is a protein that plays an important role in memory and learning, responsible for drinking, eating and body weight.
Decreased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factors cause many disorders like Alzheimer’s and depression. Curcumin will help to boost the brain-derived neurotrophic factor and helps delay or even reverses the brain-related diseases.
Additionally, there is research which states that turmeric helps improve memory and attention.
Lowers the risk of heart diseases
Turmeric contains a powerful antioxidant called curcumin. Curcumin contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is the major cause of many diseases, and heart diseases.
Heart diseases are the major causes of death in the world. Turmeric contains certain properties that can lower the risk of heart disease.
Heart diseases are caused due to various reasons like lifestyle changes and other factors. Curcumin can help improve the function of the endothelium and the lining of the blood vessels.
When endothelium dysfunction occurs, heart disease occurs. This can also lead to blood pressure and blood clotting. Consuming turmeric milk can help improve heart function and reduces the risk of heart disease.
According to NCBI, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of turmeric may contribute to the cardioprotective effects.
Helps prevent cancer
Turmeric is widely used in the Indian kitchen. The reason is turmeric can prevent cancer and also helps fight cancerous cells.
Curcumin in turmeric kills cancer cells as proven by clinical studies.
According to Cancer Research, a 2013 study used turmeric and chemotherapy for bowel cancer. The research suggested that the combination treatment was more effective when compared to the chemotherapy alone. However, further studies are required to confirm the same.
Treats Alzheimer’s disease
Turmeric contains various health benefits, and it also has the potential to treat Alzheimer’s disease. The studies were carried out in cell lines and mice.
The results suggested that the curcumin in turmeric helps reduce inflammation and oxidative stress caused due to the brain cells. This can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
However, the way in which curcumin works is still unknown and unclear. More studies are required to know the mechanism behind how curcumin works.
Additionally, turmeric contains a chemical compound called turmerone. The effectiveness of turmerone was tested with animals. It demonstrated that it helps to stimulate stem cells that helps make new brain cells that can help with a condition like Alzheimer’s disease.
According to a study conducted at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), curcumin reduces lipid peroxidation and lipofuscin accumulation that is associated with ageing. Additionally, curcumin also protects the brain mitochondria against various oxidative stress and promotes brain health.
Help with arthritis symptoms
Arthritis is inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. There are different types of arthritis, and the two common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
It is evident that turmeric contains curcumin. The bioactive compound in turmeric naturally contains anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory property helps ease the symptoms of people with arthritis.
There are many studies on turmeric’s role in easing the symptoms of arthritis and reducing pain. Additionally, curcumin, along with anti-inflammatory drugs, helped reduce the pain.
Help with depression
Turmeric is commonly used to treat skin diseases and other diseases. There are reports that support turmeric can help with depression.
Depression is related to inflammation, and turmeric contains anti-inflammatory properties. This can help with depression. Certain studies were carried out in animals, and the results demonstrated that curcumin changes certain parts of the brain that alter how the brain responds to stress.
Turmeric also protects the brain cells against energy-producing structures. However, curcumin cannot be considered as an alternative as further research is required. Turmeric can be added to the diet as usual.
Delays ageing and other chronic age-related diseases
Curcumin contains properties like anti-inflammatory and other benefits. It also protects the brain cells from oxidative stress. When oxidative stress is prevented, it can also act as an anti-ageing agent.
There are studies to prove the anti-ageing properties of turmeric. Turmeric can be applied to the skin and treats acne effectively.
Turmeric effectively fights free radicals and slows the ageing process. According to research, turmeric is one of the natural ingredients that can help with skin tightening and prevents wrinkles.
This natural ingredient contains several key factors that combat ageing and also have the potential to reverse ageing.
Conclusion
Turmeric can be considered as a natural ingredient that helps treat various physical and mental health issues. Turmeric contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can protect the body against various diseases. Turmeric can be applied as such to the skin, and it helps in skin tightening and reverses ageing.
These properties are due to the presence of a bioactive compound called curcumin. However, curcumin cannot be consumed as such, as its bioavailability reduces. So, turmeric can be consumed to get the benefits of curcumin, and also, the bioavailability increases.
