Turmeric is an ancient spice that has been loved and used in and around Asia for thousands of years. Turmeric is a root plant and part of the ginger family.
Turmeric has a main active ingredient called Curcumin. Curcumin not only gives turmeric its bright yellow pigment but also has a range of powerful benefits such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
There has been a wide range of studies on the health benefits and effects of turmeric and curcumin and there is evidence to suggest curcumin has lots of beneficial medicinal properties that have been proven in human trials, but trials are ongoing as many results are not completely certain.
Firstly, if you are thinking of taking turmeric for health benefits, there is one important factor you must know – black pepper. Yes, that’s right.
Black pepper contains piperline, which is a natural substance that when taken with curcumin it enhances absorption and bioavailability by around 2,000%. So, if you’re looking for turmeric supplements, the best ones contain piperline.
To learn more on turmeric and black pepper click here
Turmeric has been linked to some great health benefits, as suggested above and here are just 5 of them.
It’s an anti-inflammatory
Our amazing body is constantly fighting off harmful bacteria, injuries and viruses, repairing damage and keeping everything running smoothly. Inflammation is a natural and necessary part of that process, although chronic inflammation can lead to conditions such as Type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis and much more.
As we age we become a lot more susceptible to conditions called by inflammation, especially when women hit menopause so taking turmeric as a supplement may help prevent and control the inflammation caused.
The curcumin in turmeric can be a powerful way to block anti-inflammatory compounds and prevent long term inflammatory within the body, thus reducing the risk of conditions such as diabetes and bowel disease.
It is a great antioxidant
Have you ever heard of free radicals? Well, let us explain. They are unstable atoms that are missing electrons to stabilise them. They move throughout your body and seek molecules to seal their electrons. This can cause a build-up of free radicals and they are known to cause conditions such as cancer, heart disease and play a huge part in the ageing process.
The key to stopping and preventing free radicals is antioxidants – something turmeric has! Antioxidants are able to give free radicals electrons, thus stabilising them and stopping a build-up and chain reaction.
It can reduce the spread of cancer
As we as women age, our risk of cancer does increase Cancers such as breast cancer, bowel and lung.
Studies have shown that curcumin can reduce the growth of cancer and its development at a molecular level. According to research, curcumin has shown that it can affect many different forms of cancer and contribute to killing the cancerous cells.
There are many encouraging studies on the health benefits of turmeric but that being said, studies are on-going and if you do have any health concerns then it is important to talk to a health professional first.
There are many great ways to take turmeric, whether it’s for those health benefits or just simply because it’s an important part of a delicious curry the possibilities are truly endless.
We love a turmeric latte and The Turmeric Co. do a creamy vegan recipe we cannot get enough of – try it for yourself and tag us on Instagram, your version of this creamy goodness.
