14 Health Benefits of Turmeric

Some of the commercially available turmeric products include capsules, teas, powders, and extracts.

Turmeric is a fantastic complement to recipes that need a golden tint and also has anti-inflammatory qualities that are good for your health.

Curcumin, the primary component in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant properties. Western medicine is starting to research turmeric's potential as a painkiller and therapeutic substance

The root of the Curcuma longa plant is where the popular spice turmeric is derived. It has a substance called curcumin, which could lessen swelling.

Curry powders, mustards, butter, and cheeses are typically flavored or colored with turmeric, which has a warm, bitter taste. Turmeric is frequently used to treat diseases that involve pain and inflammation because curcumin and other substances in it may reduce swelling.

The dietary supplement known as turmeric may be the most potent one available.

Turmeric has significant health advantages for both your body and brain, according to numerous high-quality studies. Since curcumin is its primary active component, many of these advantages are due to it.

Continue reading to find out more about turmeric, curcumin, and their health advantages from a scientific perspective.

Describe Turmeric.

The Curcuma longa plant, a perennial member of the ginger family, yields turmeric as its main ingredient. Curcumin is the primary active component of it. "Curcumin gives turmeric that yellowish color, The advantages of curcumin are turmeric's greatest asset. 

The traditional Trusted Source claims that turmeric has components with therapeutic benefits are now being supported by science.

These substances are known as curcuminoids. Curcumin is the most crucial.

The primary active component of turmeric is curcumin. It is a very potent antioxidant and has potent anti-inflammatory properties.

Health Advantages of Turmeric

The following health advantages of the spice, which is simple to include in smoothies and curries, are promising.

1-Enhances Memory:

Another study found that taking 90 milligrams of curcumin twice daily for 18 months helped persons without dementia perform better in terms of memory.

Researchers believed that curcumin's antioxidant effects and decrease in brain inflammation caused a deterioration in neurocognition—the capacity to reason and think—to be less pronounced. Curcumin may play a role in delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

2-Viral Infections:

You might want to drink some turmeric tea the next time you feel unwell. Herpes and the flu are just two of the viruses that curcumin may help you fight off. (However, most of the study on this was conducted in a lab, not on humans.) The odd cup of tea won't be a panacea because turmeric only contains approximately 3% curcumin and your body doesn't absorb curcumin very well.

3-Minimizes Inflammation:

Taking turmeric may be helpful for chronic diseases where inflammation starts to impair bodily tissues.

Inflammation is quite significant. It aids in warding off outside 

intruders and aids in body damage healing.

Although short-term, acute inflammation is advantageous, it can be problematic if it persists and starts to destroy your body's tissues.

Because of this, everything that can be done to combat chronic inflammation may be crucial for both avoiding and treating these illnesses.

The most important thing to remember about curcumin is that it is a bioactive chemical that can treat inflammation, although that the problem of inflammation is complex and there probably isn't a straightforward solution. However, to elicit therapeutic effects, very high doses are necessary Trusted Source.

Some common medical disorders are made worse by chronic inflammation. Although curcumin can inhibit numerous compounds known to play significant roles in inflammation, its bioavailability must be enhanced

 4-High Cholesterol:

There is conflicting evidence on turmeric's potential to keep your heart healthy. While some research determined that turmeric has no impact, others discovered that it helps lower LDL "bad" cholesterol. The potential benefits of turmeric for protecting the heart are still being studied by scientists. According to a short study, those who have undergone bypass surgery may benefit from turmeric's ability to prevent heart attacks.

5-Arthritis:

The main polyphenol (health-promoting) ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, may aid with joint health and arthritic symptoms. Inflammation, which causes pain and joint destruction, is a hallmark of arthritis. The anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin aid in the management of inflammation and may lessen the pain, swelling, and joint damage associated with arthritis.

6-Irritable Bowel Syndrome:

Early research suggests that turmeric may help reduce IBS symptoms including stomach pain, in a pilot study involving 207 individuals and another using mice. More investigation is required, just like with many of the topics we've already discussed. As a potential treatment for conditions including Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, turmeric is also being researched.

7-Reduces Heart Disease Risk:

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of turmeric may assist to minimize the risk of heart disease.

When used in conjunction with prescription medications to lower cholesterol, turmeric may also be beneficial. Curcumin is safe and may protect patients at risk for heart disease by lowering specific levels of cholesterol, according to research. However, further research is required to determine how much and what kind of curcumin is most helpful.

Curcumin's beneficial effects on endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels, and the heart, may have the greatest impact on heart health. Curcumin's beneficial benefits on endothelium function, which is essential for blood flow and may have the greatest influence on heart health. The Endothelium is the inner lining of blood vessels, including the heart.

High blood pressure, blood clots, and heart disease can all be caused by endothelial dysfunction. Curcumin may enhance healthy endothelium function and reduce the risk of heart disease, according to evidence.it is essential for blood flow.

8-Lowers Risk of Cancer:

Several studies suggest that curcumin may influence the growth and progression of cancer.

In one study on colorectal cancer, there was a 40% decrease in the number of lesions in men's colons.

Cancer is a condition marked by unchecked cell proliferation. Supplemental curcumin appears to have an impact on a variety of cancer types.

Curcumin has been investigated as a helpful herb in the treatment of cancer. Trusted Source and has been discovered to impact the growth and progression of cancer.

According to studies, it can:

• contribute to malignant cells dying
• decrease angiogenesis (tumor creation of new blood vessels)
• lessen cancer metastasis (spread)

It has not yet been thoroughly investigated if high-dose curcumin, preferably with an absorption booster like piperine, can aid in the treatment of cancer in humans.

There is proof, nevertheless, that it may stop cancer from developing at all, particularly tumors of the digestive tract like colorectal cancer.

9-Depression:

Numerous ingredients in turmeric may benefit your health. Curcumin is the most well-known of them. Curcumin has the potential to reduce depression and improve the efficacy of antidepressants, which excites scientists. Research findings, however, have been conflicting thus far.

A brain region involved in learning and memory, the hippocampus, as well as lower BDNF levels are associated with depression. By raising BDNF levels, curcumin may be able to slow or stop some of these alterations.

When you experience depression, your brain's production of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that aids in learning and memory, is decreased, and your hippocampus begins to shrink. According to a study, curcumin can raise BDNF levels and perhaps undo alterations.

Another study found that curcumin was just as efficient at reducing depressive symptoms as fluoxetine (Prozac). Serotonin and dopamine, two substances in the brain that control mood and other bodily functions, may also be increased by curcumin.

10-Pain Reduction:

Pain relief is one of the benefits of turmeric. The spice is also said to ease arthritis discomfort.

Studies appear to support the use of turmeric for pain management; one study (Trusted Source) found that in patients with knee arthritis, it appeared to function just as well as ibuprofen (Advil).

Those who took part in the study consumed 800 mg of turmeric daily in capsule form, even though dosage recommendations appear to vary.

Ayurveda and Chinese traditional medicine both have a long history of using turmeric to treat arthritis. Though more research is required, research has shown that ingesting turmeric extract may potentially lessen osteoarthritis discomfort. 

11-Enhancing Liver Performance:

Turmeric has recently acquired popularity due to its antioxidant effects. The accumulation of fat in the liver appears to be inhibited by turmeric.

The antioxidant properties of turmeric appear to be so strong that they might stop pollutants from damaging your liver. This could be advantageous. a Reliable Source for people who take strong drugs for diabetes or other illnesses that may eventually destroy their liver.

12-Alzheimer's Disease:

Chronic inflammation is a symptom of Alzheimer's disease, and turmeric appears to have natural anti-inflammatory properties. Can turmeric prevent Alzheimer's disease? I'm sorry, but there is now little solid scientific proof that consuming turmeric will effectively stop the condition.

A buildup of protein tangles known as amyloid plaques is a crucial aspect of Alzheimer's disease. According to studies, curcumin can assist in removing these plaques.

Whether curcumin can halt or possibly stop Alzheimer's disease progression

Even against common degenerative disorders like Alzheimer's, turmeric may offer some protection for the brain. How? Raising the amount of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that is present in the brain and spinal cord and is important for maintaining the health of nerve cells (neurons) and regulating communication between them, both of which are essential for learning and memory. 

Because prevalent brain illnesses like Alzheimer's are linked to decreasing levels of BDNF, turmeric (and specifically curcumin) may help prevent or slow down brain aging.

13-Diabetes Type 2:

Curcumin may be helpful in the prevention or treatment of type 2 diabetes because it can help fight inflammation and maintain stable blood sugar levels. In one study, which included 240 prediabetic persons, it was discovered that taking a curcumin pill for nine months reduced the likelihood that they would acquire diabetes. There is still plenty to learn, but much of the research to date has focused on animals rather than humans.

Curcumin may help with insulin resistance, blood sugar control, and lowering blood lipids (fatty compounds found in the blood), according to the authors of a recent review. In August 2021, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine released the findings.

14-Anti-aging Effect:

Turmeric curcumin has antioxidant qualities that stop cell deterioration and delay aging. It successfully halts the development of wrinkles and fine lines.

Additionally, curcumin promotes cell division.

Turmeric Side Effects Include:

• Curcumin overdose causes headaches, nausea, diarrhea, and acid reflux.
• Blood clotting might be slowed by turmeric. In those with bleeding disorders, this may raise their risk of bleeding and bruising.
• Turmeric may exacerbate digestive issues like GERD.
• In diabetic persons, turmeric can cause dangerously low blood sugar levels.

Nutrition:

One tablespoon (tbsp) of turmeric powder comprises, according to the National Nutrient Database of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

30 calories

Protein in 0.91 grams (g)

Fat 0.31 grams

Carbs 6.31 grams 

Fiber 2.1 grams

Sugar  3.0 grams 

 the same 1-tbsp serving offers:

Manganese 26% of daily 

Iron 16% of your daily

Potassium 5% of your daily 

Vitamin C  is 3% of the recommended daily