What is turmeric?
Turmeric is a member of the same spice family as ginger and throughout this year it is gaining popularity in 2016, it has actually been used in ancient medicine for thousands of years. It contains a chemical called curcumin which is responsible for an array of health-boosting, antioxidant benefits.
Is turmeric good for you?
Turmeric does far more than ensure curries taste amazing. It is your secret weapon in vitality, can slow down Alzheimer’s disease and even speeding up your metabolism. Turmeric isn’t good for you, it’s AMAZING for you.
What are the other benefits of turmeric?
- it’s often used for reducing inflammation
In both Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, turmeric is used as an anti-inflammatory. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this may be due to the curcumin, which regulates the enzymes that cause inflammation in our bodies. Other sources suggests that turmeric consumption may help soothe gastrointestinal issues including constipation and irritable bowel syndrome, and can also help with menstrual pain such as cramping and bloating. Since many diseases are linked to inflammation, this is definitely one of the great reasons why it is on people’s radars in 2016.
2. It may help reduce pain from arthritis
The Arthritis Foundation mentions turmeric may reduce inflammation in a way that minimizes pain and stiffness of the joints for those who suffer from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. One recent meta-analysis found turmeric may be beneficial for treating arthritis, though the authors acknowledged more research needs to be done. They also noted there was no difference between using turmeric and just curcumin, which further supports the idea that it’s the antioxidant that’s responsible for the inflammation-fighting effect.
3. It may help lower cholesterol
University Health News says that by consuming turmeric root and turmeric root extract, it’s possible to prevent oxidation of bad cholesterol in the body and to suppress plaque formation in the arteries. Turmeric may also help prevent the production of cholesterol in the liver and can stop it from being absorbed into the gut. For people who are overweight and have high cholesterol levels, WebMD says research suggests regularly consuming turmeric extract can reduce overall cholesterol and triglycerides.
4. It’s been used to boost cognitive ability
According to Organic Facts, turmeric was used in traditional medicine to boost mental activity, including concentration and memory. It may also help prevent the formation of plaques that are indicative of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
5. More research needs to be done to prove further benefits of turmeric
Although turmeric has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years and has a reputation for being a powerful healing agent, there needs to be more research. Even some of the most promising health benefits need to be met with scepticism. Most of the research about turmeric’s effect on specific ailments has been limited to animals, and human studies are still far down the road.
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