Health Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric, a natural miracle spice

Turmeric is the distinctive yellow-orange spice that gives golden color to Indian curries and other ethnic dishes. Recent research shows it may do a lot more than jazz up food. The health benefits of turmeric are numerous, and since it is a natural food substance, this powdery spice can be safely ingested in food or in the form of supplements. Turmeric’s active ingredients, known as circuminoids, have been shown in laboratory investigations to have powerful antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, among others.

Turmeric benefits have been known for centuries and have always been an important part of Chinese herbal medicine and also the Ayurvedic medicine of India. This natural food is reputed to have many health benefits.

Turmeric is a natural pain reliever and anti-inflammatory. Laboratory studies have demonstrated turmeric's potency against virtually all primary inflammatory agents. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis reported significant pain relief when given turmeric in a clinical study.

Turmeric can help the body stave off flu and ease its symptoms. While not a replacement for a flu shot, turmeric has been shown to be a natural preventative against many flu viral strains. As a natural protease inhibitor, turmeric interferes with the ability of the flu virus to replicate itself.
Turmeric has been the subject of anti-cancer research. Preliminary studies indicate that turmeric may slow the growth of certain tumors. Demographic research has shown that people in areas where turmeric is abundantly consumed have some of the lowest cancer rates in the world.

Turmeric stimulates the production of gastric mucus, making it useful in assisting digestion and protecting against ulcers.

Turmeric promotes wound healing. Because of its antiseptic and analgesic properties, turmeric can be applied topically to speed the healing of wounds.

Turmeric has anti-asthmatic properties. Clinical studies have shown turmeric to be effective in treating bronchial asthma.

Turmeric promotes cardiovascular health. A clinical trial showed turmeric's cholesterol-reducing properties to be as potent as the medication Clofibrate. Another study showed that turmeric lowered cholesterol and triglycerides levels in nearly all cases. Patients in both studies also reported reduced angina.

Turmeric helps stabilize blood sugar levels. An extract prepared from turmeric root was found to have a hypoglycemic effect. In combination with other herbs, turmeric's anti-diabetic properties are even more pronounced.

Turmeric is useful in weight management. Because it stimulates the metabolism of fat, turmeric has been found useful for combating obesity and promoting healthy weight loss.

Turmeric is believed to be a natural remedy against Alzheimer's. Indian communities that regularly eat curry once or twice a week have a surprisingly low incidence of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The active ingredient of turmeric appears to prevent the spread of amyloid protein plaques, which along with tangles of nerve fibers, are suspected to contribute to the degradation of the wiring in brain cells, eventually leading to symptoms of dementia.

Turmeric supports healthy liver and skin care, and gallbladder health.

The antioxidant power of turmeric is so effective that it actually helps preserve the shelf life of foods that it is added to.

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