You’ve probably eaten turmeric—pronounced ”tur-mer-ik”—and not realized it. Ever put yellow mustard on a sandwich or in potato salad? That golden tint is thanks to turmeric. And if you’ve had Indian food or curry, you’ve likely had it as well. Little did you know that the yellow spice you’re eating has amazing health benefits for women!
But the golden value of turmeric goes well beyond its color. Part of the ginger family, turmeric is an amazing herb with many potential health benefits. Curcumin is the compound in turmeric that many health research studies focus on. But why swallow a curcumin supplement when you can boost the color and flavor of your food with this mild spice.
Here are potential health benefits you can boost with each shake of the spice jar, with links to the research.
- Anti-inflammation
One of the most powerful aspects of curcumin is its potential ability to fight inflammation. Whether you are currently dealing with a health issue where inflammation affects your symptoms or just wanting to keep your body less inflamed to prevent disease and feel your best, turmeric may play a role in fighting inflammation. One article showed how curcumin is comparable to pharmaceuticals that are used to block a cytokine, TNF (tumor necrosis factor) which help treat diseases that are associated with high inflammation. - Depression, anxiety and mood
Feeling a little blue? Maybe you need to reach for some yellow … turmeric that is! One study showed that turmeric was as effective as Prozac at lessening depression symptoms. And just think, you wouldn’t have to worry about the potential side effects of a man-made drug. Another way it may boost mood is by increasing the serotonin and dopamine levels in your brain! - Prediabetes
Turmeric may be very beneficial for someone who is pre-diabetic, as the curcumin may actually lower glucose. One study showed how treating pre-diabetic people with curcumin helped to prevent them from becoming diabetic! - Cancer
Curcumin may block the growth of cancer at every stage, and possibly before cancer even gets to our cells. This means that not only can it slow the growth of cancer, but may even prevent it! - Alzheimer’s disease
There is a lot of promising evidence that points to turmeric having potential to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease or other neurodegenerative disease to due aging. One possibility is that it may prevent changes in cellular proteins associated with aging. - Heart Disease
Curcumin intake may improve arterial function, and one study even showed that it had the same effect as up to one hour of exercise! - Osteoarthritis
Multiple studies have shown promise for curcumin helping with osteoarthritis, but one interesting study showed that people who took a curcumin extract had as much pain relief as those taking ibuprofen – and without the possible side effects of ibuprofen! - Rheumatoid Arthritis
Studies have been conducted that compare pharmaceutical drugs and curcumin, and sometimes a mixture of both. One study in particular compared those taking curcumin, curcumin plus pharmaceutical drugs or both. The group taking curcumin showed greatest improvement! - Obesity https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23339049/
There is some evidence that the curcumin in turmeric may help reduce obesity and also reduce the inflammation and diseases that can go along with obesity. Read all about how turmeric and black pepper can help you reach your weight loss goal!
Leave a Reply