Why is turmeric good for me?
Turmeric, the bright yellow spice that adds flavor and color to your food, has been a staple in Indian and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. But what makes this unassuming root so special? Why is turmeric good for me? In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of turmeric in depth.
What is Turmeric?
First things first: let’s define our terms. Turmeric comes from the Curcuma longa plant and is native to India and Southeast Asia. It’s commonly used as a spice in Indian cuisine (think curries) but has also found its way into Western diets thanks to its many health benefits.
The active ingredient in turmeric is called curcumin. This compound has anti-inflammatory properties that have been shown to be effective against arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.
But enough biology – let’s get to the juicy stuff!
Benefits of Turmeric
There are countless reasons why you should incorporate turmeric into your diet. Here are just a few:
1. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Inflammation can cause all sorts of health problems – anything from joint pain to heart disease – so it stands to reason that reducing inflammation would be beneficial for your overall health. Curcumin, as mentioned earlier, has potent anti-inflammatory effects that can help alleviate ailments caused by excessive inflammation.
2. Boosts Brain Function
Adding turmeric may give you more than just better-tasting meals: it could improve memory function as well! Studies have shown that curcumin stimulates neurogenesis (the growth of new brain cells) which leads not only increased short-term memory but also improved focus overall cognitive performance over time.
3. Helps Digestion
Have you ever experienced indigestion or bloating after eating? Adding some turmericto your meals may help relieve these unpleasant symptoms. Curcumin encourages the production of bile, which helps break down fats and improves digestion overall.
4. Fights Cancer
Studies have shown that curcumin can stop cancer from spreading by preventing new blood vessels from forming in tumors, making it harder for them to grow and spread throughout the body. So if you’re looking to add some extra preventative measures to your everyday routine, consider adding a little extra turmeric!
5. Supports a Healthy Heart
Turmeric might just be what the doctor ordered when it comes to keeping your heart healthy! Studies show that curcumin drastically reduces damage done by free radicals, one of the leading factors contributing to heart disease.
How To Use Turmeric
Now that we’ve outlined why turmeric is so great for our bodies let’s take a look at how best to consume this delicious spice:
Food
Adding turmeric to your dishes is an excellent way ingesting all its health-boosting qualities while enjoying something yummy too! Here are some suggestions on where you could sneaking tumeric into any meal:
-Add it tomato soup or stew.
-Sprinkle over roasted vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli .
-Stir into scrambled eggs prior to cooking.
-Dust atop chicken breasts before baking.
-Mix with Greek Yogurt as dip seasoning.
A common (if somewhat unorthodox) use of Tumeric powder many swear by: mixing incredibly recommended dose with milk as “golden milk”!
Supplements
If incorporating turmeric directly onto food proves challenging for whatever reasons (unfavorable dispositions toward exotic spices), taking supplements may be another option more doable . Make sure however supplements come high amounts for optimal benefits – doses containing should have around ## mg⁄week daily .
Although intake through both diet + supplement form are tried-&-true methods of ingesting turmeric, there may be other ways to try out the anti-inflammatory benefits curcumin has in store!
Topical Use
Who knows? Maybe topical treatments are the new way forward with tumeric. Studies have found that applying Tumeric-cream can actually help alleviate skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Conclusion
So what do we know about Turmeric so far ?
- It’s an anti-inflammatory spice that could lessen our chances of chronic disease.
- Puts up a fight against cancer by preventing tumor growth capabilities.
- Can potentially lead to memory retention + cognitive improvement
- Has been proven effective toward supporting healthy digestion
_ A natural antioxident properties which support heart health..
There isn’t much more you could ask from something who has it all! It wouldn’t hurt if we follow the rise in popularity natural remedies like this one – adding next week’s grocery list couldn’t get any easier !
And remember “when life gives you lemons, add some turmeric and make delicious lemonade instead!”