Turmeric is a tall plant native to Asia and Central America that is sometimes referred to as Indian saffron or the golden spice.
The plant roots that were pulverized to form the turmeric that is sold on shelves and in spice cabinets. Due to its bright yellow color, processed turmeric has been utilized as a dye by numerous cultures. Curry powder contains a significant amount of turmeric root powder.
Capsules, teas, powders, and extracts are a few of the turmeric items that are offered for sale commercially.
The primary active component of turmeric is curcumin.. The traditional Indian medicinal system known as Ayurveda recommends turmeric for a number of medical conditions. These include inflammation and persistent pain.
Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric has long been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat liver issues, wounds, digestive issues, and inflammatory disorders in addition to being a pleasant and healthful spice.
1. Anti-inflammatory
The Arthritis Foundation cites a number of studies that show turmeric has an anti-inflammatory impact. This anti-inflammatory quality might minimize the joint inflammation that arthritis patients experience.
The organization advises consuming 400–600 mg of turmeric in pill form up to three times day to reduce inflammation.
2. Pain Reliever
One of the advantages of turmeric is pain alleviation. It is also claimed that the spice reduces arthritis pain. Studies seem to support the use of turmeric for pain relief; one study discovered that it seems to work equally well as ibuprofen in people with knee arthritis.
Those who took part in the study consumed 800 mg of turmeric daily in capsule form, despite the fact that dosage recommendations appear to vary.
3. Enhance Liver Health
Turmeric has recently grown in popularity because of its antioxidant effects. The antioxidant properties of turmeric appear to be so strong that they might stop pollutants from damaging your liver.
4. Anti-Cancer Properties
Cancer treatment using curcumin appears to have promise. Studies indicate that it has preventive properties against multiple myeloma, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer.
5. Improve Digestion
Curry powder contains turmeric because it enhances food flavor. However, turmeric can also be quite helpful in the digestion of that food. A healthy digestive system might benefit from the spice's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Ayurvedic medicine use turmeric as a digestive healer. Western medicine is just now starting to research how turmeric can reduce gut permeability and inflammation, two indicators of how effectively the digestive system is working.
Even the possibility of using the spice to treat IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is being researched.
Why You Should Take Turmeric
Turmeric is a very adaptable spice that can be used in a variety of ways, such as:
Including turmeric in spice blends like curry or barbecue sauce
Making a homemade dressing with turmeric, vinegar, and equal parts oil and seasonings
By including turmeric, you can change up your go-to marinades.
Additionally, tinctures, fluids, extracts, and capsules containing powdered turmeric are offered as dietary supplements. Turmeric is frequently mixed with bromelain, a protein extract from pineapples, in these products because it improves the benefits and absorption of turmeric.
Before using any supplements, be sure they are safe for you to consume by consulting a doctor.
Possible Side Effects
Stomachache: When consumed in large doses, the same components of turmeric that promote digestive health also irritate. Due to the detrimental effects on their digestion, some participants in studies looking at the use of turmeric for cancer treatment had to withdraw.
May Thin The Blood: The purifying properties of turmeric may also lead to easier bleeding more easily. The reason for this is unclear. The way turmeric behaves in your blood may be related to other benefits that have been reported, such lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. People who take blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin, should avoid consuming large doses of turmeric.
Encourage contractions for Pregnant Women: You may have heard that consuming curry-flavored foods might induce labor. Although there isn't much scientific evidence to support this assertion, research have suggested that turmeric may help with PMS symptoms.
Due to its blood-thinning effects, pregnant women should refrain from taking supplements containing turmeric. Small amounts of turmeric used as a spice in meals shouldn't have any negative health effects.
Turmeric stimulates the stomach's production of gastric acid. While some people's digestion is aided by this, others may experience unfavorable effects.
Conclusion
It appears that consuming turmeric offers health advantages. The golden spice has numerous health benefits, including those for the immune system, digestion, and pain reduction. Due to some of its side effects, some individuals may choose not to take turmeric.
It's important to exercise caution when deciding whether or not to try turmeric. As with taking any complementary medicine, consult your doctor before using turmeric to treat any health issue you may have.
