Turmeric is not just a popular ingredient in Indian cuisine, its active ingredient curcumin has become a leading herbal ingredient in many supplements, and drinks due to its enormous array of health benefits. Numerous studies keep pointing out innumerable health benefits of turmeric and its bioactive ingredient curcumin. Although we do not fully understand how the herb works in so many different ways, what we know for sure is its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties play a very vital role in its healing ability.
If you are wondering about the list of health benefits turmeric has to offer you when you consume it every day, keep reading.
Enhanced Memory
The presence of turmeric in Indian cuisine is believed to the main reason for very low rates of Alzheimer’s among Indian seniors when compared to that of western countries. Now this belief has been proved to be correct by a study done at the University of California. The study was done among 40 individual aged between 50 to 90. Among this group of people, those who took turmeric supplement every day for 18 months showed healthy progress in their memory by nearly 28 percent.
A healthier heart
One of the biggest enemies of a healthy heart is the presence of LDL or low-density lipoprotein. This type of cholesterol can freely float in your arteries along with the blood and potentially stick to the walls of the arteries forming a blockage. This blockage can result in a heart attack or stroke.
In a study published in Nutrition Journal which involved 649 participants found that consuming turmeric and curcumin supplements every day reduced the level of LDL and triglycerides both of which are very harmful to your heart. However, curcumin did not affect the level of HDL, which is also known as good cholesterol.
Healthier Skin
Topical curcumin gel has been found to speed up healing of burns can scalds. It also results in reduced pain, scarring, and inflammation in the injured area of the skin. In a research study on animals, both topical and oral curcumin shows a protective effect against the most common form of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma.
There are many over the counter skin care products contain turmeric or curcumin to treat skin blemishes, pimples, acne, and many other skin ailments. Additionally, many medical practitioners use turmeric herb to treat conditions like eczema, and psoriasis.
Enhance Digestion
Turmeric is used to treat indigestion in many traditional medical sciences. Additionally, there are many studies that demonstrate the healing property of turmeric in digestive disorders. British researchers found that people who took turmeric extract every day for eight weeks reduced their symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Adding turmeric powder to food is also found to reduce the risk of bacterial infections.
Soothe dry eyes
A study published in the journal Planta Medical revealed consuming curcumin supplements for a few weeks can help soothe and relieve discomfort caused by dry eyes and other eye conditions.
Relieve allergies and improve breathing
In a study published in the annals of Allergy, Asthma, and immunology, curcumin supplement is found to promote healing and soothe allergies significantly and improve breathing in people suffering from asthma and other medical conditions related to lungs. Additionally, the supplement also found to reduce sneezing, mucus, and nasal congestion.
Enhances heart health
Most problems related to heart results from the contraction of the arteries which directly results in increased blood pressure, and increased risk of heart disease. This risk is particularly high old age people, as the arteries lose its natural ability to dilate as we age. A Japanese study published in Nutrition Research found that old age people who consumed curcumin supplement every day for eight weeks showed significant improvement with the dilation of the arteries.
Prevents diabetes
In a study published in Diabetes Care, found that participants who had a high risk of developing diabetes have effectively prevented the condition by taking curcumin supplement every day for nine months. Curcumin reduced the inflammation in the participants and drastically increased their body’s response to insulin, which resulted in improved levels of sugar while keeping diabetes at bay.
Enhances Liver function
In a study published in Drug Research that involved 87 participants who are affected by fatty liver, found the condition improved by nearly 75 percent just by consuming curcumin supplement every day for eight weeks. Participants who took the placebo only showed five percent improvement.
Relieves Arthritis pain
A study with 800 participants published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that participants with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis greatly improved their condition by consuming curcumin supplements every day for three months. Participants who took the supplement also noticed a great reduction in pain and inflammation.