The Benefits Of Turmeric
The health benefits of turmeric are almost endless, and it is used to treat many health conditions.To know its most important benefits, you should keep on reading.
What is turmeric?
Turmeric is a spice extracted from the turmeric plant. Asians use it in Asian food, and is often used in flavoring or colored curry powders. It is widely used to make medicine because of its health and therapeutic benefits. People also use it to color foods and cosmetics.
Nutritional value of turmeric
The benefits of turmeric for the body are due to its high nutritional value, as turmeric contains:
- Carbohydrates.
- Fibres.
- Proteins.
- Volatile oils.
- Calcium.
- Iron.
- Magnesium.
- Manganese.
- Phosphorous.
- Zinc.
- Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin D.
- Curcumin, an antioxidant extracted from the spice turmeric, helps prevent the growth of cancer cells. Each 100 gm of turmeric contains 354 calories.
The Health Benefits Of Turmeric
Here are the most important health benefits of turmeric, which we will summarize for you in the following, according to what studies have proven:
1. A powerful anti-inflammatory
One of the health benefits of turmeric is that it contains a wide range of antioxidants, antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal substances, in addition to containing anti-inflammatory substances.
That is why it is a natural remedy for arthritis. In addition, it is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting wounds and burns and accelerating their healing, and it is a natural pain reliever.
2. Anti-cancer
Several recent studies have indicated that turmeric contains curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, which can stimulate cells to carry out a process that causes the self-destruction of cancer cells.
Research has confirmed that a teaspoon of turmeric actually helps prevent many cancers, and destroy cancer cells, because it contains powerful antioxidants.
Thus, it supposedly may help prevent prostate cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, and skin cancer, and it reduces the risk of childhood leukemia, and has a role in enhancing the effectiveness of some types of chemotherapy and reducing their side effects.β
3. Beneficial for liver health and removes toxins from the body
The liver works to detoxify the blood through the production of enzymes, and turmeric helps to increase the production of these vital enzymes which leads to an effective reduction of toxins in the body.
Some studies have also proven that it has a role in fighting liver diseases, stimulating and improving blood circulation.
4. Lose weight and burn fat
The health benefits of turmeric related to weight loss are as follows:
- Many experiments have proven that one of the benefits of turmeric is that it helps in fat metabolism, and helps in losing weight and slimming the abdomen.
- There is an element in turmeric that helps stimulate the gallbladder to increase the secretion of bile in the body, which has the greatest role in the digestion of fats.
- Helps reduce blood sugar levels, reduce the resistance of cells to insulin responsible for increased fat storage.
- It helps reduce the production of adipose tissue by increasing blood vessels.
- It can stimulate the body to burn fat in the process of maintaining body temperature. Improves digestion, reduces bloating and gas symptoms.
- Turmeric is useful in treating most forms of intestinal infections, including ulcerative colitis.
5. Fight Alzheimer’s
Research has demonstrated a significant role for turmeric in preventing or slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by removing plaques caused by the buildup of beta-amyloid protein between brain cells that cause Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimerβs disease has also been linked to brain inflammation, and turmeric is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant activity, so regular daily consumption of turmeric may be an effective way to prevent the onset of Alzheimerβs disease and improve memory.
Another benefit of turmeric is that it supports overall brain health by helping to remove fatty buildup in the brain and improving oxygen flow to it.
6. Diabetes control
Several studies have shown that the antioxidants in turmeric effectively help reduce insulin resistance, which may have a role in preventing the occurrence of type 2 diabetes.
It also has a role in improving the control of glucose levels, and increases the effect of medicines used to treat diabetes.
But it is worth noting that its adverse effects may be dangerous for diabetics when combined with taking strong diabetes medications, which may lead to a sudden drop in blood sugar, so it is best to consult a specialist before taking turmeric capsules.
7. Reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood
Research has proven that simply using turmeric as a food seasoning can reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. High cholesterol can lead to other serious health problems, as it contributes to the prevention of many heart and vascular diseases.
You can add turmeric in the form of a powder to many fried dishes, such as eggs, juices, and warm milk, or it may use it as dye and color.
8. Turmeric benefits for face, beauty and skin
Turmeric has properties that help promote skin health and beauty, strengthen hair and treat its problems, and perhaps the strongest results appeared on the topic of treating acne and its effects, purifying the skin and unifying its color.
How to use turmeric
There are several ways to benefit from the benefits of turmeric for the body, where you can eat turmeric or prepare a drink from it, such as:
Add turmeric powder to food during cooking, Half a teaspoon to a teaspoon.
Prepare a turmeric mask with honey, aloe vera or yogurt with lemon, and this mask provides the benefits to the face.
Using turmeric to prepare some hot drinks with different types of herbs and ingredients.
Examples of turmeric drinks include:
- Turmeric and ginger tea, which provides the benefits of turmeric with ginger for the body, both are rich sources of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory.
- Turmeric and lemon tea for weight loss.
- Fresh turmeric tea.
- Turmeric and milk drink.
- Turmeric, ginger and lemon drink.
- Turmeric and green tea.
Contraindications to the use of turmeric
Despite the many health benefits of turmeric, there are some cases in which turmeric is prohibited, including:
Excessive consumption: Prolonged consumption of high doses of turmeric extract may cause upset stomach or live. As well as dehydration and constipation.
Gallbladder problems: The use of turmeric may be prohibited by people who suffer from gallstones, or any problems with them.
Pregnant women: Pregnant women should consult a doctor before using it. As it may have a stimulating effect on uterine contractions.
Blood thinners: Patients who take blood thinners, including aspirin, should consult their doctor before taking turmeric. Because it acts as an anticoagulant.
People undergoing surgeries: These people should stop consuming it two weeks before the surgeries.
Iron absorption: Turmeric should be taken with caution by people with iron deficiency; Because it limits the absorption of iron in the intestine.
Fertility: Turmeric lowers testosterone levels and thus reduces sperm motility. So males who are planning to have children should be take it with caution.
I should emphazise that you should always consult with a professional before taking anything.
Hope you enjoyed these benefits of turmeric. Comment down below if you include turmeric powder into your daily meals, or share with us new ways you know to do so.
Looking forward to reading your comments, sending you love and positive vibes!!!