Turmeric is an essential part of our food. It has been used as a spice for ages in all Asian food. Turmeric comes from the ginger family, and it is a tropical plant. This golden colored spice can be used as raw or after drying. Curcumin is a natural substance found in turmeric, which has a lot of medicinal properties. It has been used to cure various problems related to inflammation, skin wounds, and pulmonary diseases. There are multitudes of proven health benefits of turmeric:
- Turmeric has natural anti-inflammatory properties
Inflammation is the internal process of the human body where the bacteria and viruses are killed. This process protects the body from any harm from the invaders. If the inflammation persists for a long time, it indicates severe diseases in the body like heart problems or cancer. To stop this inflammation, turmeric has a substance called curcumin. It eliminates the action of the inflammatory particles. Turmeric has proven to be beneficial for inflammation disorders.
- Turmeric has antioxidant properties.
The free radicals are the by-product of oxidation. They are unstable active molecules, and they are highly reactive in nature. They damage the skin and other tissues of the body. They are responsible for chronic diseases like cancer, cataract, cardiovascular, and inflammatory diseases. Turmeric has antioxidant properties which will prevent the free radicals from damaging the skin and the tissues. Antioxidants also provide luster to the skin. A turmeric face mask can help to bring a natural glow to your face.
- Turmeric has anti-cancer effects.
Turmeric has numerous health benefits that extend to serious diseases as well. It is known to have a significant effect on destroying deadly cancer molecules. It can affect the formation and development of cancerous cells. It has been proven that turmeric reduces the chances of cancer, its spread, and also kills the cancer cells slowly. It also protects the body’s healthy cells from the damage caused by radiation during the chemotherapy treatment of cancer. Turmeric can also fight with carcinogens that enter the body through processed food.
- Turmeric helps in the betterment of the skin.
The antioxidants and inflammatory properties of turmeric help in lightening skin color. It can protect the face from the damage caused by the free radicals. It helps remove scar marks on the face, and it affects the pores of the skin. Turmeric can also heal wounds faster than any antiseptic cream. It removes the signs of aging like wrinkles, dark spots, and lines on the face.
The curcumin present in turmeric helps in the formation of antioxidants in the body. Applying turmeric on the wounds can heal them faster. Using turmeric with a paste of lime juice and saffron can help get rid of stretch marks.
- Turmeric is brain food.
Turmeric is very good for the brain. It nourishes the brain and blood barrier and helps fight harmful brain diseases like Alzheimer’s. Protein plaques and inflammation cause this disease. Turmeric, with its anti-inflammatory properties, helps to counter these problems. Also, curcumin present in turmeric helps fight depression to a great extent. The low levels of neurotrophic factors in the brain causes depression. Curcumin helps to raise the levels of the neurotrophic factor.
- Curcumin helps in diabetes prevention.
For diabetic patients, the lifestyle is usually stricter than that of non-diabetic people. They have to exercise daily and follow a diet that manages the level of sugar in the body. But with turmeric, diabetes can be controlled to some extent. The curcumin in turmeric can bring down the levels of glucose in the body. This decreased level can help cure other diseases related to diabetes. The turmeric extract can maintain blood and sugar levels. With the help of turmeric, severe conditions like diabetes seem quite manageable.
- Turmeric for arthritis and joint pain.
Apart from making food tasty, turmeric has also proven useful for arthritis and joint pain. The curcumin present in turmeric relieves rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Rheumatoid arthritis makes the body’s defense system fight against itself. The curcumin has enzymes that can block the action of this fight. You can add turmeric as a spice in food or mix it with your tea or milk and avail its many benefits.
- Turmeric for hair.
Turmeric can fight dandruff with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. When applied on the scalp for 30 minutes before shampooing, turmeric powder mixed with coconut oil can reduce dandruff. It treats the dry scalp in the same way it treats your dry skin. It can stimulate your hairs to grow faster and substantially reduce hair loss. Adding turmeric to your shampoo can improve your hair’s thickness, and it can also strengthen your hair to avoid breakage. However, excessive use of turmeric on your hair may change your hair color to some extent.
