Introduction
If you are a fan of Asian dishes particularly Indian food, then you might be familiar with the root-herb known as turmeric. Turmeric belongs to the ginger family of herbs. Scientifically called as Curcuma longa, turmeric has long been used as a traditional medicine both in India and China.
Its popularity as a traditional medicine is because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Turmeric is an excellent source of vitamin C with 43% of the recommended daily intake per 100-gram serving. Vitamin C is essential to ensure the proper growth of tissues as well as in making collagen, which is responsible for making ligaments and blood vessels, among others. Turmeric also supplies the body adequate quantity of vitamins E and K. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that reduces risk for cancer and heart disease. It is also important to form red blood cells.Vitamin K, meanwhile, helps in blood clotting.
It also supplies the body with enormous amount of vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine with 138% of its RDI per 100g serving. Pyridoxine can be obtained only from food. It is necessary for the metabolism of energy and to make neurotransmitters.
Turmeric is also viewed as a great herb to add to your dishes, not only because of its taste and aroma, but because it is high in potassium. A 100g serving of turmeric is filled with 54% RDI of potassium, which is vital to maintain fluid balance in the body. Consuming less sodium and more potassium in your diet promotes healthy and normal blood pressure.
Apart from the aforementioned, turmeric is also loaded with several minerals particularly iron with 517 RDI per 100g serving, manganese with 340% RDI, copper 67% RDI, and magnesium 48% RDI.
Iron is tasked to transport oxygen to all parts of the body. Copper works with iron to form red blood cells. Manganese is vital for the brain and nerve function. It is found in bones, kidney, liver and pancreas that is necessary for energy metabolism and to regulate blood sugar. Furthermore, magnesium is required for the formation of bones and teeth. It likewise maintains the health of both muscles and nerves.
Aside from the said minerals, turmeric also contain significant amount of other essential minerals that play a big role in the human body. These include calcium, phosphorus, and zinc.
Turmeric is commonly used as natural preservative, food colorant, and flavoring.
The Important Health Benefits of Turmeric Powder
Aids Digestion
Turmeric powder has bile promoting effects that reduce digestive issues and disorders such like dyspepsia, indigestion, constipation, and the likes. This is because of the unique compound that turmeric contains called Curcumin. This has been proved by years of studies and research. In fact, patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal problems felt better with high intake of turmeric. Intake of turmeric can relieve the pain as well as solve the root cause of such condition. It has been proved that consumption of turmeric can solve digestive problems better that the common compounds found in inflammatory bowel disease medications specifically corticosteroids. Corticosteroids have side effects unlike the curcumin present in turmeric that is guaranteed safe.
Cures Open Wounds
Turmeric is very effective in healing wounds because of its all-natural antiseptic and antibacterial content. Applying turmeric powder directly on the wound or skin burn will surely speed up the healing process. If you have cuts or skin burn, make sure to apply turmeric powder to better your condition.
Stabilizes Heart Condition
There are many reasons that support the fact that turmeric is good for the heart. Primarily, turmeric has cholesterol lowering effects that prevents atherosclerosis and other type of heart ailments. It is important to keep LDL or bad cholesterol low because excessive LDL cholesterol level increase risks of blood clots that can lead to heart attack and stroke. Turmeric’s properties also strengthen the walls of the blood vessels to avoid plaque build-up. In addition, increased consumption of this supplement fights abnormal platelet accumulation to further reduce the possibilities of blood clots.
Reduces Risks of Cancer
Turmeric has shown to have cancer prevention and treatment results. According to various medical institutions and research center, Turmeric’s curcumin discourages growth of tumor and development of cancer cells. This compound is a powerful antioxidant to maintain healthy cells as well as enable their self-repairing ability. Turmeric intake also reduces risks of cell damage at the same time stops cancer cell proliferation.
Fights Off Arthritis
Another good thing with turmeric is that it is abundant in anti-inflammatory properties. Its anti-inflammatory properties are very effective in arthritis and osteoarthritis prevention and treatment. Joint and bone pain are primarily caused by inflammation making turmeric an ideal solution. On top of that, turmeric powder is also rich in antioxidants that discourage free radicals and their harmful effects. It has been proved that regular intake of turmeric is of significant help in relieving arthritis as well as other types of joint pain caused by inflammation in the joints.
Thwarts Off Type 2 Diabetes
Turmeric is one of the fruits that are very low in sugar content. Diabetes is triggered by too much intake of foods high in sugar and insulin. If you want to prevent diabetes or if you are already diabetic, adding turmeric to your diet will be of great effect. As mentioned, this is low in sugar and on top of that it is also rich in fiber. Fibrous foods also keep blood sugar from sudden fluctuations. Fibrous foods provide the body with insulin to lower insulin intake especially to the diabetics. Lastly, turmeric contains high amounts of potassium that can also reduce possibility of blood sugar spikes. It has been proved by health institutions that turmeric effectively helps prevent and treat diabetes.
Boosts the Immune System
Turmeric contains a very rare compound called lipopolysaccharide that effectively boosts the immune system. Lipopolysaccharide acts as antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agents that block off infection-related sickness. Regular consumption of mushroom inhibits accumulation of bacteria and fungi that primarily causes coughs, cold, flu, and the likes. This vegetable is abundant in various vitamins and minerals that all work together in strengthening the body’s defense against various types of diseases.
Aids Brain Health
Turmeric powder has the ability to boost brain health and its corresponding functions due to its richness in curcumin. This compound is proved to be very helpful in the maintenance and repair of brain stem cells. This means that consuming turmeric on a regular basis will prevent development of neurodegenerative ailments like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Aside from that curcumin also boosts brain functions helping you to be more productive and efficient in your daily duties and responsibilities. Intake of turmeric will make you smarter, able to focus, and increase your memory span.
Promotes Weight Loss
Adding turmeric to your weight loss diet program is a wise decision. Turmeric consumption has positive effects on obesity prevention. It is important to avoid being obese as much as possible because obesity is the stepping stone to so many diseases especially those related to the heart. This is because of the anti-inflammatory properties present in turmeric that helps is avoiding obesity. Inflammation leads to inefficiency in metabolizing fats thus excessively increasing fat storages in the body.