Health benefits of turmeric. What you need to know.

Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family and it has been used for centuries as a spice to flavour food. It’s also an essential ingredient in curry, which is popular all over South Asia. The main ingredient in Turmeric is curcumin, which gives the plant its yellow colour and many potential health benefits including being anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral. Many cultures have incorporated turmeric into their diets for both culinary and medicinal reasons – with some even using it as a beauty treatment!

In this article, we will explore the benefits, potential negative effects and how you can introduce turmeric into your life.

Turmeric has a host of medicinal properties that benefits your health in a variety of ways. Here are some of the benefits, according to research published in peer-reviewed journals:

As turmeric contains an active ingredient called Curcumin (aka Curcuma Longa) which prevents joint inflammation at a molecular level, it can be effective for people who suffer from chronic inflammation such as arthritis or osteoarthritis. It may also help with other inflammatory disorders including ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Turmeric helps to balance blood sugar levels by lowering elevated glucose levels. One study found that consuming just 1 gram of curcumin supplement per day led to a drop in fasting blood glucose levels by 36% after 4 weeks. Essentially this means that if you have diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes, you can use turmeric to help improve your blood glucose levels.

Turmeric benefits the brain by increasing blood flow and protecting brain cells against damage from free radicals. It’s also been found to prevent cognitive decline that is caused by the build-up of plaque in the arteries as it increases insulin sensitivity, which in turn decreases ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol levels and raises HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol levels. This may contribute to a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in later life.

Turmeric benefits people with acne and psoriasis as it helps to reduce sebum production – an oily substance that protects our skin but can also contribute to acne formation. It also benefits the skin by reducing inflammation, which is why it can prevent and treat conditions like rosacea and eczema.

Did you know? “In Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is a well-documented treatment for various respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma, bronchial hyperactivity, and allergy), as well as for liver disorders, anorexia, rheumatism, diabetic wounds, runny nose, cough, and sinusitis” – (Araujo and Leon 2001).

Turmeric benefits an array of different infections including urinary tract infections (UTI), respiratory tract infections, ear infections, tooth decay and gum disease by inhibiting bacteria from sticking to cells in the body. As well as treating these bacterial-related issues, research has shown that curcumin (aka Curcuma Longa) extract from turmeric may even help with viral-based ailments such as cold sores or herpes simplex. Therefore turmeric benefits people who suffer regularly from cold sores or other types of herpes.

Turmeric benefits those who are affected by depression as a study found that curcumin may help to reduce depressive symptoms. However, more research is needed in this area as studies have been conflicting and there is no clear evidence that it benefits people with depression or other mental health conditions.

Turmeric benefits the cardiovascular system due to its anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant benefits. One study found that just 1 gram of turmeric benefits the heart by improving blood flow throughout the body – specifically in areas where arteries are narrowed (atherosclerosis). This means turmeric benefits both healthy individuals and those who live with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Research suggests that adding turmeric to your diet could potentially protect against Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have found that curcumin benefits the brain by reducing amyloid beta-protein which contributes to the development of plaques in the brain, a leading cause of this form of dementia

Turmeric benefits people who suffer from PMS (premenstrual syndrome) due to its anti-inflammatory benefits and ability to treat pain. Research has shown that taking just 125 mg of turmeric benefits per day can reduce PMS symptoms such as painful cramps, bloating and mood swings by up to 40%.

Turmeric benefits those who want to protect themselves from developing cancer in their lifetimes through its antioxidant benefits and ability to stop free radical damage. Turmeric benefits people with a certain form of leukaemia called AML (acute myeloid leukaemia) as it can help to kill cancerous cells without harming healthy ones due to its antioxidant benefits

Turmeric benefits those who suffer from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis as research has shown that curcumin may be effective in treating this type of inflammatory disease by reducing inflammation and protecting against cartilage degeneration. However, more human trials are needed before strong recommendations can be made.

Turmeric benefits the cardiovascular system due to its anti-inflammatory benefits and ability to reduce inflammation. A study found that in addition to benefits the heart, turmeric benefits also benefit blood vessel health by preventing plaque buildup, which is important for preventing strokes or heart attacks.

Turmeric benefits those who are looking to lower their cholesterol as research suggests that it benefits the liver by lowering cholesterol production. In one study, participants were given either a placebo or an increase of 2 grams of turmeric per day over a period of 8 weeks, with results showing that adding 2g turmeric benefits per day reduced total cholesterol levels by 11%, LDL-C (the bad type) by 15% and triglycerides by 21%.

Turmeric benefits those who suffer from kidney stones as research suggests that it benefits the body by preventing calcium oxalate, which is a component of these painful stones. However, more studies are needed before strong recommendations can be made.

Turmeric benefits the cardiovascular system due to its anti-inflammatory benefits and ability to reduce inflammation. One study found that just 1 gram of turmeric benefits the heart by improving blood flow throughout the body – specifically in areas where arteries are narrowed (atherosclerosis). This means turmeric benefits both healthy individuals and those who live with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

As with any antioxidant benefits substance, there are some negative effects of turmeric benefits that should be considered. First off, if you suffer from Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis it is recommended to avoid curcumin supplements as they haven’t been studied in people who have these conditions and may make them worse.

Turmeric benefits those who suffer from IBS due to its ability to prevent inflammation; however, research shows that it benefits the gut by increasing gastrointestinal motility which can cause discomfort for those who already deal with digestive issues. While more studies need to be completed on this topic before strong conclusions can be made, taking 1-2 g of turmeric benefits per day is still safer than many medications often used to alleviate IBS.

Some research shows that curcumin benefits those who have previously had their gallbladder removed by improving the health of their bile – the substance produced in the liver, stored in the gallbladder and released via the small intestine into our food to help us digest fat – but larger studies on this topic are needed before strong conclusions can be made. If you suffer from gallstones it’s recommended that you speak with your doctor before adding 2-3g of turmeric benefits to your diet.

Turmeric benefits those who take blood thinners as it benefits the blood by increasing platelet aggregation in the blood, which can increase the risk of haemorrhage. Speak with your doctor before adding turmeric benefits to your diet if you take any medications that thin your blood or help prevent strokes and heart attacks.

Curcumin benefits those who suffer from elevated levels of blood pressure; however, researchers have found that larger doses may cause an increase in these benefits levels. More studies need to be completed on this topic before strong conclusions can be made, but it’s recommended that taking 2-3g of turmeric benefits daily is safer than many commonly used medications often prescribed to treat high blood pressure.

Turmeric benefits those who are living with type 2 diabetes as it benefits the body by improving insulin resistance and may even prevent glucose intolerance, which causes symptoms of the disease to worsen. However, it’s recommended that you speak with your doctor before adding turmeric benefits to your diet if you suffer from this condition; he or she can give his opinion on how curcumin benefits will affect your health while living with diabetes.

The benefits of turmeric and curcumin benefits outweigh any potential dangers for healthy adults when the substance is used every day in moderate doses. However, benefits are still being researched and scientists have yet to determine whether it’s safe to take daily high doses.

When taken in more than recommended amounts – regardless of whether benefits or black pepper are used – some may experience gastric distress such as an upset stomach or digestive disorders caused by consuming too much turmeric benefits. This can easily be prevented by following a standardised dosage protocol that helps you avoid getting too much of this antioxidant benefits food. It’s also recommended that you first consult your physician before adding any medicine, herb or otherwise, into your diet if you suffer from stomach ulcers, stomach cancer or any other medical condition that can cause gastric upset.

There is no recommended daily intake for doses of turmeric; however, research suggests that we should all consume 2-3g of turmeric a day to reap the benefits.

It can be taken in a natural, turmeric powder or capsule form, but our favourite is handy supplement sachets from YourZooki.

If you already suffer from diseases such as cancer and diabetes, then your doctor may recommend a higher dosage. Speak with your physician about how much you should consume each day if you take medications such as blood thinners or are living with medical conditions that cause gastric upset.

The best way to determine your proper dosage of turmeric benefits is by starting with a small amount and slowly increase the dosage until you experience soft stools or other side effects. Then dial it back to your previous day’s dose.

If you’re looking for a healthy way to spice up your food, or if you want the benefits of turmeric without having to cook with it every day, try taking a high-quality turmeric supplement. YourZooki offers an extensive range of all-natural supplements that are designed by experts in nutritional science and manufactured according to strict quality standards. Check out their selection today!