Today in our garden... discover some secrets of turmeric!
Turmeric (Curcuma longa), the main spice in Indian curry, is considered by many to be the most powerful plant on the planet for fighting and reversing diseases.
The benefits of turmeric are incredibly vast and very thoroughly studied. Turmeric is primarily recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Studies have shown that turmeric is effective against Alzheimer's disease. Currently, more than 12,500 peer-reviewed articles have been published proving its benefits, notably one of its healing compounds called curcumin.
Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric responsible for many of its benefits.
Indeed, curcumin places turmeric at the top of the list as one of the most cited medicinal plants in science. It has a long history of use, particularly in Ayurvedic medicine and other forms of traditional medicine. Here is what you need to know about the benefits of turmeric and more...
What is turmeric powder?
Turmeric comes from the Curcuma longa plant, which grows in India and other Southeast Asian countries. It is a member of the ginger family. The dried root of the Curcuma longa plant is ground into a yellow powder that has given it the name "golden spice."
Why is turmeric good for you?
Turmeric contains several chemical compounds known as curcuminoids. The active substance in turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin is what makes turmeric a "functional food."
Turmeric Nutrition
One tablespoon (about seven grams) of ground turmeric contains approximately:
23.9 calories
4.4 grams of carbohydrates
0.5 grams of protein
0.7 grams of fat
1.4 grams of fiber
0.5 mg of manganese
2.8 mg of iron
0.1 milligrams of vitamin B6
170 milligrams of potassium
1.7 milligrams of vitamin C
13 milligrams of magnesium
The benefits of curcumin and its medicinal use
Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda have been prescribing turmeric for centuries, knowing the power of turmeric's benefits. Here are some of the uses of turmeric and its health benefits:
1. Turmeric prevents and slows blood clots
Studies have shown that the use of turmeric curcumin significantly reduces cases of platelet aggregation and potentially reduces the risk of blood clot formation.
2. Turmeric reduces symptoms of depression
Dozens of trials have proven that turmeric was particularly effective in reducing symptoms of depression. These results appear to be linked to the impact of curcumin on neurotransmitter function via brain-derived neurotrophic factor.
The journal Phytotherapy Research published the results of an amazing and innovative study in 2014. The study interviewed 60 volunteers presenting with major depressive disorder and divided the group to determine how patients treated with curcumin reacted compared to those treated with fluoxetine. Result: Curcumin was as effective as fluoxetine in managing depression after six weeks.
3. Turmeric fights inflammation
Arguably the most powerful aspect of curcumin is its ability to control inflammation. The journal Oncogene published the results of a study evaluating several anti-inflammatory compounds and found that curcumin is one of the most effective anti-inflammatory compounds in the world.
Several trials have been completed to study the relationship between curcumin and Alzheimer's disease. It seems that curcumin "reverses existing amyloid pathology and associated neurotoxicity," a key feature of the progression of this neurological disease linked to chronic inflammation. This study shows that curcumin can help alleviate Alzheimer's symptoms.
4. Turmeric boosts skin health
The benefits of turmeric include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that have been shown to be effective in treating multiple skin problems. Benefits of turmeric for the skin include increasing skin radiance, accelerating the healing of pimples, and soothing pores by reducing acne and its scars. Turmeric also helps control psoriasis flare-ups.
A pilot study of 814 participants even suggested that turmeric paste could heal 97% of scabies cases within three to 15 days.
Keep in mind that turmeric can stain the skin and may cause an allergic reaction. Do a test by applying a small amount to your forearm. Then, wait 24 to 48 hours to check for any reactions before applying it to your face.
5. Turmeric could treat or prevent certain cancers
Among the many topics addressed by scientists regarding curcumin and disease reversal, cancer (of various types, including prostate cancer) is one of the most studied. It may help with prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other forms of cancer.
According to global authorities such as Cancer Research UK: A number of laboratory studies on cancer cells have shown that curcumin has anti-cancer effects. It seems to be able to kill cancer cells and prevent their growth. It has the best effects on breast cancer, bowel cancer, stomach cancer, and skin cancer cells.
A July 2017 study by researchers at the Baylor Scott & White Research Institute found that curcumin could even break through the chemoresistance of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer.
6. Turmeric can help control diabetes
In 2009, Biochemistry and Biophysical Research Communications published a laboratory study conducted by Auburn University that explored the potential of curcuminoids to lower glucose levels. The study found that the curcumin in turmeric is literally 400 times more potent than metformin (a drug commonly used in the treatment of diabetes) at activating the enzyme AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase). A compound produced by fermentation of curcumin, tetrahydrocurcumin, activated AMPK up to 100,000 times more than metformin in certain cells.
One of the most common complications of diabetes is nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy, which takes several forms and can cause serious symptoms throughout the body, from muscle weakness to blindness.
A study demonstrated that a curcumin supplement significantly reduced diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (usually localized in the feet, legs, arms, and hands).
7. Turmeric fights obesity
A study published in the journal Biofactors demonstrated that curcumin can help reduce the proliferation (growth) of fat cells, based on laboratory results. Researchers found that the anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin were effective in suppressing the inflammatory processes of obesity, thereby contributing to the reduction of obesity and its "detrimental health effects."
8. Turmeric could relieve inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome
A study demonstrated the benefits of curcumin supplements for patients with ulcerative colitis and patients with Crohn's disease. Although the sample size was very small, all patients with ulcerative colitis and four out of five patients with Crohn's disease showed marked improvements over two months. It is promising for irritable bowel syndrome and other symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease.
9. Turmeric works as a natural painkiller
One of the most widely accepted properties of curcumin in scientific communities is its ability to manage pain. Numerous studies and reviews have demonstrated that curcumin can be a beneficial natural analgesic for the following cases:
Wounds and burns
Postoperative pain
Inflammation-induced arthritic pain
Neuropathic pain
Oral/facial pain (related to the mouth, jaws, and face, most often linked to dental problems)
Sciatic nerve pain caused by chronic constrictive injury (57)
Arthritis / joint pain
10. Turmeric helps with detoxification
An important benefit of turmeric is its ability to detoxify the body.
Every day, you are likely exposed to environmental and dietary toxins known as xenobiotics. These chemical substances are generally not present in the human body and are often associated with increased inflammation and an increased risk of cancer.
It appears that the consumption of turmeric and its active ingredient, curcumin, can help the liver effectively detoxify the body and mitigate some of the dangerous carcinogenic effects. This process works in tandem with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents in turmeric.
How to use turmeric in your diet?
1. Turmeric recipes
You may be wondering how to use turmeric root powder. One of our favorite recipes to incorporate the benefits of turmeric into your diet is turmeric tea, sometimes referred to as "golden latte" or "golden milk."
The health benefits of turmeric tea are as amazing as the benefits of fresh turmeric roots. In addition, eating turmeric eggs (2 tablespoons of turmeric powder for 4 eggs) for breakfast is an excellent way to consume turmeric in your diet.
There are many other turmeric recipes you can use.
2. Turmeric supplements
Although frequent use of turmeric in your cooking is a great way to take advantage of its benefits, turmeric in food powder form contains only about 3% curcumin absorbable by the body. In addition to adding turmeric to your diet, you might also consider taking curcumin in supplement form - some high-quality turmeric pills contain up to 95% curcuminoids.
In order to fully benefit from a turmeric supplement, you should try to find a turmeric supplement containing black pepper to achieve maximum absorption capacity. Indeed, turmeric and black pepper are complementary. Black pepper allows the body to better assimilate the curcumin contained in the turmeric powder.
Side effects of turmeric
What are the side effects of turmeric?
Some people are allergic to turmeric, particularly when applied to the skin.
Generally, this manifests as a rash with mild itching. Furthermore, it has been observed that high doses of turmeric can cause adverse effects such as:
Nausea
Diarrhea
Overactive gallbladder contractions
Hypotension (low blood pressure)
Uterine contractions in pregnant women
Increased menstrual flow
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*The information provided on this site is for informational purposes and does not in any way replace medical advice. Stop consumption immediately and consult your doctor if you notice unusual pain. We invite you to seek advice from your doctor before applying them.