Turmeric is packed with powerful medicinal properties due to its high content of nutrients, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, phytonutrients, and not the least of it all – curcumin. These amazing compounds put together do wonders for your health, from preventing cancer to making you look younger.
Here, we’ve put together all that you need to know about turmeric. Let’s see how turmeric can boost your health, prevents multiple diseases, and how you can use turmeric in your everyday diet.
Why Turmeric Is Good For Your Health
1. Prevents Cancer
Turmeric prevents cancer by making cells retain their integrity if threatened by carcinogens. It contains antioxidants that prevent any damage caused by free radicals. It can also boost the effectiveness of cancer treatments and works as an amazing complementary medicine for cancer. However, always consult your doctor before taking it with other medication to prevent complications.
2. Improves Digestion
Curcumin has properties that can repair intestinal damage and stimulate the gallbladder to produce bile, which can improve digestion. A double-blind study found that patients who took curcumin for ulcerative colitis along with medical treatment had a lower rate of relapse than those who received medical treatment alone.1
3. Treats Cold And Cough
Tumeric is soothing for a sore throat. It acts as an anti-microbial and works against infections of the respiratory system. Combine turmeric with milk to instantly ease symptoms of most respiratory issues.2
4. Reduces Pain And Inflammation
Turmeric is a natural remedy for any inflammatory or painful conditions. Taking the powder as is or in the form of supplements reduces swelling and pain, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
5. Keeps Your Heart Healthy
Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which has anti-atherogenic effects. This suppresses the formation of atherosclerotic lesions and lowers hepatic and plasma cholesterol levels. Take this along with almond milk to keep your heart healthy and prevent diseases.3
6. Purifies Blood And Detoxifies The Liver
Turmeric is a great detox agent according to Ayurvedic medicine. It helps purify the blood and also detoxifies the liver. Some liver cleanses involve drinking just turmeric milk infused with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, clove, and black pepper. Turmeric also increases the production of red blood cells, which can prevent anemia.
7. Reduces Arthritic Symptoms
Ayurveda commonly suggests turmeric as a home remedy for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. According to studies, turmeric root extract might help prevent osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. 4
8. Helps Manage Depression
The curcumin in turmeric exhibits antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. Curcumin acts as an antioxidant and modulates neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin levels. This prevents depression symptoms like loss of energy or movement-linked behaviors like coordination, speed, and strength.
9. Improves The Quality Of Sleep
Turmeric milk contains amino acid tryptophan, a precursor to melatonin and serotonin. High levels of tryptophan will make you sleep longer and better. Have turmeric milk about half an hour or so before you turn in for the night for best results.
10. Promotes Healthy Skin
Turmeric protects your skin from UV-induced damage, prevents oily skin, fights skin cancer and psoriasis, and heals wounds quickly. One of the many ways to use turmeric on the skin is to make a paste by mixing turmeric and yogurt and apply on the face.
Foods That Go Well With Turmeric
Some foods go well with turmeric and provide multiple health benefits. Making these a regular part of your diet is a brilliant way to sustain your health.
- Turmeric and milk: With a rich source of calcium, antioxidants, and vitamin D, turmeric and milk should be your go-to drink every day. These fight against cough/cold, improve bone health, fight free radicals, boost heart health, reduce pain, and help you sleep better. Have it hot for instant relief.
- Turmeric and ginger: With two amazing anti-inflammatory ingredients, your health can only get better. Turmeric and ginger not only treat flu but also work on reducing gastrointestinal issues, inflammatory issues like osteoarthritis, and arthritic pain.
- Turmeric and honey: These two are the easiest and one of the most effective cures for respiratory issues. Turmeric and honey can provide instant and long-term relief from cold, cough, and flu. Turmeric destroys bacteria that cause diseases and boosts immunity, whereas honey improves digestion and increases healthy gut bacteria.
How To Use Turmeric
1. Turmeric Tonic
This easy-to-make tonic provides all the benefits of turmeric in a single glass. Just mix raw honey, freshly squeezed lemon, and turmeric with cayenne pepper. If you do not like the taste, inculcate turmeric into tea or fruit juices. Have these combinations once a day.
2. Turmeric Milk
Adding turmeric to milk doubles the benefits. Just make a paste using turmeric and water. Add this paste to your daily cup of milk and reap the benefits. You can also use a tad bit of sugar or fruits to improve the taste.
3. Turmeric Smoothies
You can experiment with smoothies recipes by adding turmeric and using non-dairy milk products.
Turmeric Coconut Milk Smoothie
Add turmeric to hemp or coconut milk with frozen pineapple/mango chunks, bananas, coconut oil, cinnamon, ginger, chia seeds, and maca. Blend the ingredients and drink it as a smoothie.
Turmeric And Coffee Smoothie
Add turmeric powder to ground cinnamon and ginger, almond/coconut milk, honey, chia seeds, and instant coffee. Blend the ingredients and add some ice cubes if you want it cold.
Turmeric And Lemon Smoothie
Make a smoothie with bananas, coconut milk, lemon juice, turmeric, honey, chia seeds, and yogurt and enjoy the tangy twist.
Turmeric And Mango Smoothie
If mangoes are in season, make it all the more healthy by adding turmeric. To make a mango smoothie, blend ginger, mango cubes, honey, turmeric, Greek yogurt, and milk.
4. Turmeric Tea
Turmeric tea can be made in different ways.
- Add turmeric to a cup of boiled water with a pinch of lemon juice or honey for added taste.
- Add turmeric powder and grated ginger to a cup of water along with lemon juice.
5. Turmeric Honey Paste
This is the perfect remedy for cold, cough, and flu. Just mix turmeric powder with raw, organic honey to form a paste. Store this in a glass container. Take half of teaspoon of this paste as and when required.
How To Boost Turmeric Absorption
The only problem with curcumin is that the liver lowers most of the absorption of curcumin. Here’s what you can do to get the most out of turmeric:
- Try eating turmeric with healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, and coconut oil.
- Eat turmeric with a plant flavonoid called quercetin.
- Mix turmeric with black pepper to increase absorption.
A Word Of Caution
Turmeric does not cause any major side effects, but there’s a possibility that you’re allergic to it. Turmeric might also induce diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness in some people. To be safe, take very small amounts of turmeric for a few days and observe any significant changes. Also, never overdose on turmeric and too much of anything is bad for you.
Make practical use of this amazing herb, combine it with a healthy diet and exercise, and notice how turmeric will add color not just to your food but to your life as well.
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