Turmeric, for some known for others unknown, but I bet you have seen or eating it without even knowing! Turmeric is often used for creating the yellow colour of curry and is very healthy! Today we will discuss the benefits of turmeric and its use. What Turmeric does for your body? Why Turmeric is yellow? Why Turmeric is good for you? And finally which Turmeric is the best? Check that article to find out!
- Let’s first talk about what turmeric actually is!
- Lets get into the health benefits of Turmeric! What Turmeric is used for?
- Obviously, you now want to consume more turmeric, but how do you do this? Which turmeric is the best and what to combine turmeric with? And of course, where to buy it?
- To summarize
I would love to tell you immediately what the benefits of turmeric are, but
Let’s first talk about what turmeric actually is!
Turmeric is a spice which comes from the roots of a plant within the ginger family. It is very common in the Asian cuisine and the plants originate from Southeast Asia. When you look at ginger and turmeric, you might not spot the difference immediately, at least not until they are cut open. Turmeric is orange from within and ginger is a more pale-yellow colour somewhat like a potato.
Turmeric vs Curcumin. Are turmeric and curcumin the same?
Curcumin is the main active substance of turmeric.
And that's it?
Yep, that's it. Don't mess those things out.
Now you know what you are looking for!
Lets get into the health benefits of Turmeric! What Turmeric is used for?
Turmeric for colds and cough
Firstly, turmeric is anti-inflammatory agent. This means that it fights inflammation in your body. Interesting to know is that inflammation is not necessarily unhealthy. Inflammation is a mechanism of protecting your body to bacteria. Without short-term inflammation your body would be much more vulnerable.
But, long-term inflammation, more specifically chronic low-level inflammation is to be believed to play a role in in chronic diseases such as heart disease, metabolic syndrome and even cancer!
Recently, it is believed but not yet researched enough, that turmeric could have an effect on Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is a worldwide common neurodegenerative disease and does not have a proper cure yet. Oxidative and inflammation damage play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s. Turmeric and it’s anti-inflammatory and oxidative effects may slow down the development of Alzheimer’s but as mentioned before, it is a relative new theory which needs more testing and research.
Turmeric for cancer. Turmeric cancer studies.
There are many more health benefits which I could discuss, but then you will be reading for another hour or two. Instead, I will just discuss this last one which is very interesting and could be very important, namely, cancer. It is said that Turmeric has a positive effect on molecular level changes which may help with the treatment and prevention of cancer. Turmeric has been tested in labs and on test animals and the results showed that it could reduce the growth and development of cancer cells. Cancer is characterized by its uncontrolled cell growth and is mostly treated with radiation therapy such as chemotherapy which are very damaging for the unhealthy as healthy cells.
This means Turmeric could be a healthier and natural way of treating cancer. Unfortunately, turmeric and its effects have to be researched a lot more before it can be implemented for treating cancer.
Obviously, you now want to consume more turmeric, but how do you do this? Which turmeric is the best and what to combine turmeric with? And of course, where to buy it?
Turmeric is most commonly used as a powder or as turmeric leaves. For example, the leaves are used in the Indonesian dishes Rendang and Padang. The turmeric powder is used for yellow curries in India and Thailand. Finally, you can even find turmeric drinks, which are using combination of turmeric with milk, such as Turmeric Latte, also known as Golden Milk. These drinks are made with non-dairy milks, mostly coconut milk.
What to combine Turmeric with?
Turmeric with black pepper
When we mean black pepper, we mainly thing about combining Turmeric with bioperine, because it is the main active substance of black pepper. And that is why we are giving answer below!
Turmeric with bioperine
Bioperine is mainly here to increase bioavailability of turmeric active substances (mainly Curcumin, and derivatives called Curcuminoids)
Turmeric with milk
We already mentioned it earlier - it is popular variaton of milk drink, widely drank in India.
Turmeric with curcumin
Every turmeric has curcumin because it is their main active substance! Remember about that!
Turmeric with honey
It's mainly used as addition to milk drinks (mentioned before). There are not really much benefits from that combination, but such a drink tastes much better with honey!
Turmeric with lemon
Preliminary, bioflavonoids contained in lemon, can boost antioxidant properties of turmeric bioactive compounds. But this synergistic mechanism is yet to be checked. More surely, lemon will be great addition to Golden Tea, prepared with milk, turmeric and honey!
Turmeric and ginger
Here, we have great combination of anti-inflammatory agents. If you feel pain and you want to deal with it in natural way, try this combination!
Turmeric with bromelain
Same as above combination with ginger - another great set of anti-inflammatory compounds.
Golden Milk by Jarrow Formulas is highly advised due to it’s blend with whey protein! https://www.mz-store.com/health-products/jarrow-golden-milk-turmeric-infusion-270g
Other Turmeric supplements which I advise are Golden Tea and Turmeric Caps.
https://www.mz-store.com/health-products/jarrow-golden-tea-turmeric-infusion-270g
What's more our customers has choosen that Turmeric with Bromelain from NOW Foods is the best!
To summarize
You are now all set to embrace and incorporate turmeric into you diet! Give it a shot and see if you can feel any differences!
And don’t forget, if you have any subjects you would like to learn more about, don’t hesitate to comment your request for the next blog!
Written by Sven Nicholson | Online Personal Trainer @ www.healthychanges-pt.com
Sources used: