What is turmeric?
Turmeric is a spice made from grinding the roots of the Curcuma longa plant, also called curcumin. It is a prime ingredient in curry powder and figures heavily in Asian cuisines. Because it imparts a vivid yellow color to the food it is cooked with, it is often used to color as well as flavor condiments, rice dishes and sauces.
Health benefits
Turmeric benefits have been researched and documented extensively due to their possible role in boosting the body’s immune system and fighting heart disease and cancer. Turmeric has numerous health benefits:
- Turmeric is a common ingredient of traditional oriental medicine for use as a stomach tonic and blood purifier, and was used for a variety of skin conditions and minor injuries.
- Turmeric lowers LDL cholesterol levels. LDLs are responsible for the buildup of plaque in the arteries that could lead to heart disease.
- Turmeric’s active ingredient is curcumin. It is thought to be an anti-inflammatory, as well as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances that are thought to help prevent aging by inhibiting the breakdown of cells by oxidation.
- Turmeric has been shown to improve blood flow as well as strengthen blood vessels.
- Studies point to turmeric’s ability to neutralize free radicals, chemicals that could damage cells. Turmeric can ward off cancer and tumorous growths.
- Curcumin reduces the action of a number of genes that promote inflammation, which is linked to heart disease, colon cancer and Alzheimer’s.
- Curcumin also induces the flow of bile, which breaks down fats. Extracts of turmeric root inhibited gastric secretion and protects against injuries caused by medications such as indomethacin and reserpine.
Curcumin relieves the aches and pains associated with arthritis.
The herb’s volatile oil functions as an external antibiotic, preventing bacterial infection in wounds.
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