Turmeric is a spice that is popular for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Most people add it to their food, while there are also recipes for preparations. The Health benefits of turmeric and curcumin have been a subject of debate. Turmeric helps to improve brain power and promotes proper digestion. It’s also effective in body detox. Here are the reasons why you need to start adding turmeric to your diet.
1. Improves Brain Power
The human brain thrives when it has access to growth factors. That’s why babies need nutrients from their mother’s milk to have a good brain. Turmeric has the capacity to improve brainpower. The spice increases the levels of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is a protein that relates to the canonical nerve growth factor.
More BDNF also means a reversal of brain diseases, including the ones related to aging. People who consume turmeric will improve their memory and get smarter. It is useful in the treatment of traumatic brain injury, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Powerful Healing Properties
Turmeric can affect healing because of its content of bioactive compounds. It’s a natural anti-inflammatory compound that reduces inflammation in the body. Eating turmeric will help fight several diseases, infections, and bacteria attacks.Â
Turmeric also has several antioxidants that slow down aging by healing body cells. Antioxidants also help reduce pain and cut the effects of toxins in the body. People who consume turmeric will enjoy its ability to reduce heart diseases.Â
It also promotes good eyesight and reduces infection in the body. The healing properties make turmeric a top alternative and home remedy spice for many medical issues.
3. Diabetes
The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. The powerful compound has the capacity to reduce the level of glucose in the body. With regular consumption, people with diabetes get even more benefits.
The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric also help a lot. Reducing inflammation improves insulin sensitivity and cholesterol. The dosage recommendation is 500 to 2,000 mg per day [2]. There are several ways for people with diabetes to add turmeric to their diet. You can find many recipes online offering creative and delicious options.Â
4. Boosts ImmunityÂ
The immune system is our first line of defense against infections and diseases. To have strong immunity, you will need to get some things into order. For example, you may need to eat plenty of nutrients and vitamins, good for the immune system.
Turmeric contains compounds that boost immunity so that it can fight infection. Another aspect of turmeric worth mentioning again is the anti-inflammatory effects. Anything that has the power to fight inflammation will improve immunity.
5. Effective Liver Detox
The liver is one of the most important organs in the body. It helps to store vitamins and minerals, excrete cholesterols, and so on. Another powerful role of the liver is detox. Every day, we consume plenty of food that contains toxins that can damage our bodies. Our liver sees these toxins and gets rid of them. But it needs help to do this. That’s why eating turmeric helps in the effective detoxification of the liver.
For excellent results, consume half a teaspoon of turmeric along with a dash of pepper. Have with you a glass of warm water and drink first thing in the morning.
6. May Help Delay or Reverse Alzheimer’s Disease
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease find it hard to remember basic things. One of the health benefits of turmeric is boosting memory. The spice contains very powerful compounds like BDNF, which reverse brain disease. That’s why turmeric is useful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of conditions.Â
Oxidative stress, free radicals, beta-amyloid, and cerebral deregulation can make Alzheimer’s worse [3]. The inflammatory compounds and properties in it can help fight inflammation.
7. Treatment of DepressionÂ
Anxiety and depression are two top medical conditions giving medical experts headaches. Modern people are more stressed and lonely. Access to too much technology promotes lifestyles that lead to stress. Luckily, turmeric can help with depression. The curcumin in turmeric has antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects.
It also appears to increase the activities of neurotransmitters like serotonin. People who consume turmeric will experience a lowering of stress hormones like cortisol.
8. Skin Health
Having great skin takes time and effort. Food plays a major role, along with hydration and sunlight. Getting smooth skin is also one of the health benefits of turmeric. The greatest enemy of your skin is inflammation. It disrupts the growth of healthy skin and displaces nutrients.
Since turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, then it can help you have better skin. Turmeric brings out the glow in your skin and makes it smooth and fresh.
Eating turmeric may also help fight against certain skin infections like eczema. You can make turmeric into a facemask and apply it at home. Witness how these powerful skin-enhancing properties will help your skin shine.
9. Increases Antioxidants in the Body
Your body already contains antioxidants that protect your cells and keep you healthy. But, these antioxidants will always need some boost from the food we eat. So, you need to feed them with foods like turmeric, which helps to increase their activities.
Turmeric has compounds that enrich enzymes in the body and promotes their activities. It’s a good source of natural flavonoids helpful in combating cardiovascular diseases. Turmeric can also play a role in reducing organ degeneration [4]. The spice can reduce the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, etc.Â
10. Can Help Prevent or Treat Cancer
Cancer is one of the biggest medical challenges today. There are certain activities that promote the growth of tumors and bad cells. One of those things is inflammation. That’s why part of the health benefits of turmeric is to prevent or treat cancer. The curcumin in turmeric fights cancer and helps the patient recover fast.Â
There are many people promoting turmeric as an alternative healing option for cancer [5]. Before subjecting yourself to natural or alternative healing, seek advice from your doctor. Search the internet to find exciting ways to eat turmeric. There are fun and easy-to-prepare recipes for you and your family.
