Golden and pungent, turmeric is a root in the ginger family. With a peppery, warming sensation and its distinctive, slightly bitter flavour, turmeric has a mild fragrance. Its mustardy color belies its slightly orange and gingery overtones, making it a popular ingredient in many curries. Also, due to its dyeing capabilities, turmeric is commonly added to foods to color them yellowy orange.
Boasting a list of health benefits, turmeric can be used for the alleviation of Alzheimer’s and other memory related diseases; arthritis; heartburn, and stomach pain; the range of IBS symptoms such as diarrhea, intestinal gas, stomach bloating, and loss of appetite; liver problems including jaundice; and gallbladder maladies.
What are its uses?
Anti-inflammatory
Our bodies develop inflammation in response to invasions, such as poisons, foreign objects or bacteria. Whilst this is an important way of the body letting us know that something is wrong, long term inflammation is a risky and uncomfortable illness that can corrupt the immune functions.
Turmeric demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory benefits on the body. Rich in the pigment curcumin, turmeric has such anti-inflammatory power that concentrated levels of the element have been shown to be comparable to potent anti-inflammatory drugs like hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone. The benefits of ingesting the curcumin found in turmeric mean that there are no powerful side effects which can be caused by the drugs. Ulcers, low white blood cells and intestinal bleeding are just some of the common complaints people have when exposed to consistently high doses of ant-inflammatory medication. So serious is inflammation, that it has been identified as playing a role in many chronic illnesses, such as heart diseases, certain types of cancer, metabolic syndrome, degenerative illnesses and Alzheimer’s.
At a molecular level, the makeup of curcumin within turmeric targets steps in the pathway to inflammation, intercepting cell growth and impeding the spread of inflammatory cell multiplication.
Curcumin actually targets multiple steps in the inflammatory pathway, at the molecular level.
Antioxidant
Like most highly colored fruit, vegetables and roots, turmeric is a rich source oif antioxidants. These help to oxidise the blood and keep a healthy internal system in order. Primarily antioxidants are so valuable because of their capacity to protect our bodies from the harm and damage ravaged upon them by free radicals. The chemical structure of curcumin neutralizes free radicals attacking the system. Curcumin delivers a double blow to free radicals by blocking them directly, and stimulating the body’s natural antioxidant mechanisms.
Cancer Prevention
The rich and powerful antioxidant nutrient curcumin can protect the colon cells from free radicals. These impact our heath by damaging cellular DNA. One of the sites within the body most susceptible to attack from free radicals is the colon, where cells regenerate rapidly. Since they multiply as frequently as once every three days, mutations in the DNA of colon cells can occur easily. As such, the formation of cancerous cells is more rapid here. Turmeric’s strongest weapon; curcumin assists the body in destroying modified cancer cells; stopping them from spreading and casuing further damage.
Liver protection
Curcumin can help to enhance functionality of the liver. As one of the largest and most important organs inside your body the liver is responsible for converting food to energy; cleaning toxins from the blood; and producing stomach bile to aid digestion. As such, there are a few ways in which the liver function can be reduced or attacked, including viruses like hepatitis, chronic alcohol consumption, cirrhosis, oxidative stress, and the impact of certain types of medication.
Due to the fact that it increases functionality of the entire digestive system, including the excretion through the colon, turmeric is thought to be a powerful enhancer of liver functionality. A study conducted in India suggests turmeric may improve liver function by increasing detoxification ability.
There are many other uses for turmeric, such as in beautification and relating to other diseases, but the main thing it does is to reduce inflammation. This helps to promote a healthier system and protect against many illnesses.
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