If you want Superfoods, you're gonna be in love with Turmeric!
Turmeric isn't often used in Western culture but its popularity is growing fast, and with very good reason. In the East, the medicinal properties of turmeric have been known for many years and it's used in Indian and Chineese medicines.
So what is all of the fuss with Turmeric?
Is it worthy of its place in our SuperFood wall of fame? Let's find out and take a look at 7 benefits of adding Turmeric to your diet…
Turmeric can lower cholesterol levels
The active ingredient in turmeric that is responsible for all of its incredible health benefits is curcumin. Curcumin reduces cholesterol levels in 3 very powerful ways. First, it reduces the oxidation of LDL cholesterol due to its antioxidant properties. Second, it helps to boost the effectiveness of LDL cholesterol by increasing receptors and third, it reduces the time that cholesterol spends in the blood stream. All of which add up to greatly improved cardiovascular health.
Lowers the pain from (and the spread of) arthritis
In tests, the curcumin found in turmeric was proven to be as effective as traditional anti-inflammatory drug for joint stiffness. Incorporating turmeric to your food plan has a major impact on the quality of your life, especially if you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, the antioxidant properties found in curcumin help to remove free radicals from the body. Free radicals can be particularly problematic for people with arthritis because they damage cell membranes which is one of the main causes of joint pain.
Turmeric assists you to keep healthy thyroid function
Thyroid problems are incredibly widespread in todays society and can be responsible for all manor of issues, including weight gain, dry skin, thinning hair, brittle nails, numbness or tingling in the hands and even constipation. A vital mineral which is essential for correct thyroid function is Manganese. Turmeric is packed with Manganese and can help you to make a significant step towards a healthy and better functioning thyroid. Given the list of symptoms (and we only touched on a few, there are many many more) that are triggered by an incorrectly functioning thyroid, its a very good idea for you health, general well-being and future medical fees to incorporate turmeric to your diet plan.
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Lowers swelling and pain
When compared to traditional medical anti-inflammatories, curcumin wins hands down. The compounds that lead to pain and inflammation are known as mediators, and they don't come alone! Most medical anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs target a couple of these mediators but curcumin targets dozens! The result… more efficient, organic and more complete pain alleviation, and non of the terrible side affects associated with regular treatments!
(Very likely) Improves your memory and helps make you smarter!
A food that may be able to make you wise ? I doubt anything can make a food more worthy of the esteemed title of 'SuperFood' than its ability to increase your intelligence.
The curcumin in turmeric increases brain functioning and reduces the risk of brain disease by boosting the neurotrophic factor. As we grow, neurons make new connections and our potential to learn and remember more information increases. The hormone that supports this process is called the brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). Decreased levels of this hormone have been linked to many widespread brain conditions, such as Alzheimers and depression.
Curcumin increases BDNF levels, which will help our brains do what they are supposed to do… grow, learn more things and make us smarter, although additional research is needed to show that we really do get smarter. An increase of BDNF could also prevent, and quite possibly even reverse, the affects of many age-related brain functioning conditions.
Can help to prevent, and possible even treat, cancer
During laboratory tests on animals, curcumin was shown to lower metastasis (the spread of cancer) reduce angiogenesis (the growth of blood vessels in tumors) and even kill cancerous cells. During an additional study (this time on people) curcumin reduced colon lesions in 44 adult males by 40% over a period of 30 days. Although the study wasn't on men that were actually suffering with cancer, colon lesions can become cancerous, so it's a considerable indicator that curcumin might possibly help prevent cancer.
Makes an excellent and natural beauty treatment
Up till now we've discussed some of the amazing health benefits of turmeric, but did you know it can make you more beautiful as well!
For generations women in Asia have used turmeric as a natural beauty treatment. Its powerful beautifying qualities have been praised for their potential to help reduce acne, cure eczema, reduce dark circles from beneath the eyes, decrease the physical appearance of wrinkles, reduce scarring and even remove sun spots.
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