Home   >   Articles   >   Could Turmeric Be the Secret to A Healthier Diet?

Could Turmeric Be the Secret to A Healthier Diet?

by Carolyn Lee Sep 18, 2023

Share this
Could Turmeric Be the Secret to A Healthier Diet?

Many herbs and spices are rich in health benefits and can enhance our meals. Turmeric (Indian Saffron, Golden Spice, or Curcuma longa) is a popular spice known for its fantastic health benefits. It contains natural anti-inflammatory compounds called curcuminoids. Curcuminoids contain curcumin, which includes a nutraceutical that can potentially treat inflammation, cancer, and diabetes.

Some proven benefits of turmeric

Helps digestion: Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that aid digestion. This versatile spice is used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat digestive issues, wounds, liver conditions, and skin diseases.

Prevents blood clots: Blood clots are typically healthy and can be lifesaving when they stop bleeding. However, they might cause heart attack, stroke, or other medical problems. The curcumin in turmeric is also an anticoagulant. So, it is crucial to remember this if you are using blood-thinning medication.

Might help lower cholesterol: Curcumin can eliminate low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from the arteries and blood vessels. Thus directly balancing cholesterol.

Contains anti-cancer properties: Turmeric may reduce cancer-related symptoms like fatigue, neuropathic pain, and cognitive deficit.

It may improve liver health: The antioxidants in turmeric stimulate the lymphatic system, reducing toxicity levels in the body. This could be useful for people who take potent medicines for diabetes or other long-term health conditions.

How can you include turmeric in your diet?

Many products contain curcumin, including capsules, ointments, tablets, teas, and energy drinks. Curcumin is also one of the spices in curry. Curry is used in various dishes and has a distinct flavour and taste.

What else should you know?

Curcumin has poor bioavailability linked to poor absorption, rapid systemic elimination, and metabolism. You can combine curcumin with Piperine to reduce this problem. Piperine in black pepper can enhance the absorption of curcumin by 2000%.

If you have a severe illness like Alzheimer’s, cancer, or diabetes, you must speak to your health professional about a course of treatment that is best for you. You can use our Find Yello listings to search for oncologists, neurologists, and other health specialists.

Sources: Mayo Clinic, Medical News Today, Science Direct, NCBI Resources, and Organic Facts.