1. Turmeric boosts brain health

According to research done on the Asian population, turmeric, which is a major part of the Asian diet has been found to reduce the chances of brain disease.

Turmeric stimulates the secretion of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, a growth hormone that works on the brain. This hormone has been found to help improve memory, and a decrease in levels of the hormone has been discovered to be a cause of several common brain disorders.

Curry has anti-inflammatory effects that are able to protect the brain from diseases like Alzheimer's. 

2. Boosts digestive health

Besides giving food a very desirable and amazing taste, turmeric is a great digestion aid and it helps prevent a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders.

It has been discovered to help people with stomach and digestion problems like irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhoea or Crohn's disease.

Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that help prevent these diseases. It also enhances digestion and stimulates liver efficiency to enhance the detoxification process.

Turmeric also enhances the stomach's lining helping it withstand acidic conditions that may cause ulcers. 

3. Acts as an antioxidant

Turmeric contains the ingredient curcumin which is an antioxidant that helps fight free radicals that may damage our cells which results in diseases and premature ageing.

Regular consumption of turmeric gives the body topmost protection from toxins and environmental pollutants. This is one of the best turmeric benefits.

The antioxidant characteristics keep our cells protected preventing numerous diseases within the body, from the brain to the heart to general well being. Turmeric is essentially a super ingredient.

Turmeric has also been proven to soothe irritated skin and tissue. It helps wounds heal faster by soothing irritation and oxidation. Turmeric helps improve rates of wound contraction, collagen synthesis and it helps strengthen tissues and improves cell proliferation around the injury. 

4. Turmeric eases aches and discomfort

Studies have been conducted on the effects of turmeric on easing knee discomfort. The results concluded that turmeric helped ease the pain at par with conventional methods like taking drugs.

Those who took turmeric, however, seemed to have enjoyed more relief compared to the other test subjects.

Additionally, those who used turmeric suffered fewer side effects compared to those who used the more conventional methods. 

5. Turmeric lowers the risk of heart disease

Heart disease is one of the major causes of death around the world. Its complexity and numerous causes make it difficult to understand and thus effectively prevent.

However, turmeric, and especially the ingredient curcumin has been found to have effects that help prevent heart disease. Curcumin improves the functioning of the endothelium, the lining of the blood vessels, which helps smooth blood flow and prevent heart failure.

Endothelial dysfunction is known to be a major cause of heart disease and this happens when the endothelium is unable to control blood pressure or when there is a presence of blood clots in the vessels.

Studies done on the effects of turmeric on heart health found out that its consumption has the same effects on heart health as exercise or heart medicine.

(Last Updated On: November 10, 2023)

Annalise O'Conner is a Registered Dietitian and Personalized Nutritionist. She is a lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley, teaching nutrition in the School of Public Health and APAN (Asian Pacific Islander American Network) Email: [email protected]

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