{"id":1535,"date":"2018-10-23T13:48:17","date_gmt":"2018-10-23T13:48:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/designerofreality.com\/?p=1535"},"modified":"2020-09-24T14:59:00","modified_gmt":"2020-09-24T14:59:00","slug":"6-benefits-of-turmeric-the-queen-of-spices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/designerofreality.com\/2018\/10\/23\/6-benefits-of-turmeric-the-queen-of-spices\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Benefits of Turmeric\u2014The Queen of Spices"},"content":{"rendered":"

By\u00a0Sandhiya Ramaswamy<\/a><\/h1>\n
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\"golden<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Turmeric<\/a>! This wonder spice has been in the news as study after study touts its\u00a0anti-inflammatory<\/a>, antioxidant,\u00a0wound-healing<\/a>, pain-relieving, anti-arthritic,\u00a0anti-dementia<\/a>, and even\u00a0anti-cancer<\/a>properties. According to Dr. Michael Greger, author of\u00a0How Not to Die<\/em>, more than 5,000 articles have been published in medical journals about the health benefits of curcumin, the pigment that gives turmeric its bright yellow color. Curcumin is also the compound responsible for its potent healing benefits\u2014it is this compound that has been extensively studied.<\/p>\n

Turmeric tea, lattes, shots, and golden milk are popular (see recipe for golden milk below). This golden-hued spice has been used in India for thousands of years as a cooking spice (think curry) for its flavor and medicinal properties. Turmeric is also a revered herb in Ayurveda.<\/p>\n

Growing up in India, whenever we were sick with a cold or fever, we could always expect our Mom\u2019s healing elixir of warm turmeric milk laced with black pepper\u2014the cold did not stand a chance! Neither did minor cuts, scrapes, or wounds when a paste of turmeric (usually mixed with water or coconut oil) was applied to the affected area for 12 to 24 hours.<\/p>\n

Haridra<\/em>\u00a0is the Sanskrit name for turmeric. It means yellow; this color signifies its potent liver cleansing and healing properties, according to herbal medicine expert Sebastian Pole in his book\u00a0Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the many benefits of turmeric that have been validated by scientific studies.<\/p>\n

1. Anti-inflammatory<\/h2>\n

Chronic inflammation causes and advances\u00a0many common chronic diseases and various degenerative conditions<\/a>\u00a0such as\u00a0inflammatory bowel diseases<\/a>,\u00a0heart disease<\/a>,\u00a0cancer<\/a>,\u00a0Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/a>, and\u00a0metabolic syndrome<\/a>\u00a0(a group of conditions usually occurring together\u2014including increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels\u2014which increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes).<\/p>\n

Hence, anything that can reduce, suppress, or function as an antidote to chronic levels of inflammation can be important in preventing and even treating these diseases. Studies have shown that curcumin acts as an\u00a0anti-inflammatory compound<\/a>\u00a0by inhibiting a number of different molecules that\u00a0play a role in inflammation<\/a>\u00a0in your body.<\/p>\n

2. Neuroprotective<\/h2>\n

Neurodegenerative disease<\/em>\u00a0is a term used for a range of conditions that primarily affect the neurons (nerve cells) in the brain. Affecting millions of people worldwide, Alzheimer\u2019s dementia (representing approximately 60 percent to 70 percent of dementia cases<\/a>) and Parkinson\u2019s disease are the most common types.\u00a0In the U.S. in 2018<\/a>, nearly 6 million people are diagnosed with Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n

Many neurodegenerative diseases are caused by oxidative damage and inflammation. Studies have shown that curcumin is a potent\u00a0neuroprotective agent<\/a>, due to its\u00a0anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Interestingly enough, Alzheimer’s disease rates in India are reportedly among the world’s lowest.\u00a0According to Professor SC Tewari<\/a>, head of the geriatric mental health department at King George\u2019s Medical University, \u201cTurmeric, which is almost universally consumed by Indians, is the savior. Turmeric contains a curcumin, the bright yellow chemical that gives turmeric its colour, which acts like a protective.\u201d<\/p>\n

This widely held view led\u00a0researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles<\/a>\u00a0to study the potential of curcumin as a weapon in the fight against the disease. The\u00a0results of this study<\/a>\u00a0showed that curcumin inhibits the accumulation of destructive beta amyloids in the brains of Alzheimer\u2019s patients and also breaks up existing plaques.<\/p>\n

\"Perfect<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Anti-Cancer<\/h2>\n

Nearly 20 percent<\/a>\u00a0of deaths worldwide are caused by cancer. Numerous studies of turmeric have highlighted the\u00a0anti-cancer properties<\/a>\u00a0of curcumin and its ability to suppress the growth of many different types of cancer cells (such as\u00a0breast cancer cells<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0pancreatic<\/a>\u00a0cancer cells).<\/p>\n

4. Heart Protection<\/h2>\n

Studies have shown curcumin to be protective of the heart due to its potent antioxidant properties and also its properties as an\u00a0anticoagulant<\/a>. In Ayurveda, turmeric is considered to be a\u00a0lekhanya<\/em>(scrapes accumulations), which make it an effective anticoagulant, as Sebastian Pole describes. Research has found that it also helps the heart by increasing blood flow and by\u00a0reducing lipid levels and LDL cholesterol<\/a>.<\/p>\n

5. Digestion<\/h2>\n

Turmeric has been revered in India and Ayurveda for millennia for its ability to enkindle the\u00a0agni<\/em>, or digestive fire, supporting healthy digestion, which is paramount for maintaining good health and immunity. Clinical trials have also demonstrated its efficacy in the treatment of\u00a0digestive diseases<\/a>including\u00a0IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

6. Bone and Joint Health<\/h2>\n

Being a potent anti-inflammatory, turmeric excels as a pain reliever, acts as a\u00a0bone<\/a>\u00a0and joint protective, and treats inflammation of the joints. Studies have shown the benefits of turmeric in preventing\u00a0osteoporosis<\/a>. Extracts of curcumin have been shown to be as effective\u00a0as ibuprofen<\/a>\u00a0in reducing pain and improving function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Research has also shown curcumin\u2019s potency in alleviating symptoms (inflammation and pain) of\u00a0rheumatoid arthritis<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How to Get the Greatest Benefits from Turmeric<\/h2>\n

There are a couple of ways to ensure you are getting the most out of your turmeric intake.<\/p>\n

1.<\/strong>\u00a0Turmeric and black pepper (curcumin and piperine)<\/strong>: Turmeric is one of the staples of Indian cooking. But it is seldom used on its own. Turmeric is saut\u00e9ed in oil along with a myriad other spices like cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and black pepper. While studies have shown the amazing benefits of curcumin, they have also shown that curcumin has\u00a0low bioavailability<\/a>\u00a0(i.e., it is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream). Studies have also shown that curcumin\u2014when consumed with\u00a0black pepper<\/a>\u00a0(which contains piperine)\u2014enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2,000 percent<\/a>, which is why most curcumin supplements on the market contain piperine.<\/p>\n

2.<\/strong>\u00a0Turmeric and fat<\/strong>: Curcumin is also\u00a0fat soluble<\/a>\u00a0(as are the therapeutic compounds in most spices), so it helps to consume it with a fat such as coconut oil or avocado. Studies have shown that consumption of curcumin along with fat increases its absorption and bioavailability. This is perhaps why turmeric has been used in Indian cooking since Vedic times, but only after it is saut\u00e9ed in oil. It is wonderful to see modern science confirming and validating centuries-old Vedic wisdom!<\/p>\n

Please note<\/em>: If you have a specific medical condition and would like to take a turmeric\/curcumin supplement, please work with your medical practitioner, Ayurvedic counselor, or herbalist, so that they can suggest the appropriate and optimal amount for you.<\/p>\n

Turmeric in Cooking<\/h2>\n

Add turmeric to your daily diet by cooking with this healing spice. Fresh turmeric is milder and moister than ground turmeric (dry), which is more pungent and drying in its action.<\/p>\n