If you love Superfoods, you will love Turmeric!
Turmeric isn't a commonly used ingredient in Western culture but its popularity is growing, and with good reason. In the East, the medical properties of turmeric have been known for a long time and it is used in Indian and Chineese medicines.
So why are people so excited with Turmeric?
Can it earn its place in our SuperFood wall of fame? Let's explore 7 benefits of adding Turmeric to your diet…
Turmeric can reduce your cholesterol level
Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric that is responsible for its powerful health benefits. Curcumin can help to reduce your cholesterol level in 3 very powerful ways. First, it helps to boost the efficiency of LDL cholesterol by increasing the receptors. Second, it stops the oxidation of LDL cholesterol due to its antioxidant properties and third, it cuts down the time that cholesterol spends in the blood stream. All of which adds up to dramatically improved cardiovascular health.
Reduce the pain from (and spread of) arthritis
In tests, the curcumin that is found in turmeric proved to be just as effective as traditional anti-inflammatory medication for joint stiffness and swelling. Introducing turmeric to your diet has a major impact on the quality of your life, especially if you are a sufferer of rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, the antioxidant qualities found in curcumin can help to remove free radicals from the body. Free radicals can be extremely problematic for sufferers of arthritis because they damage cell membranes which is one of the main causes of joint pain.
Turmeric can help you to retain healthy thyroid functionality
Thyroid problems are really common in todays society and can cause all kinds of issues, including weight gain, dry skin, constipation, numbness or tingling in the hands brittle nails, and even thinning hair. A vital mineral which is essential for correct thyroid function is Manganese. Turmeric is packed with Manganese and helps you to make a significant step towards a better functioning thyroid. Given the quantity of symptoms (and we only touched on a few, there are many many more) that are a result of a poorly functioning thyroid, its a very good idea for you health, general well-being and future medical expenses to include turmeric to your diet.
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Lessen pain and swelling
When compared to traditional medical anti-inflammatories, curcumin wins hands down. The compounds that trigger pain and inflammation are called mediators, and they don't hunt alone! Most traditional anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs only target a couple of these mediators but curcumin targets dozens! The result… more efficient, all-natural and more complete pain alleviation, and non of the unpleasant side affects linked with standard medication!
(Very probably) Boosts your memory and makes you wiser!
A food that may be able to make you wise ? I don't think much else can make a food more worthy of the esteemed rank of 'SuperFood' than its potential to boost your intelligence.
The curcumin in turmeric helps to build brain function and lowers the risk of brain disease by boosting the neurotrophic factor. As we grow, neurons build new connections and our capacity to learn and store more information increases. The growth hormone that facilitates this process is called the brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). Decreased levels of this hormone are linked to many widespread brain conditions, such as Alzheimers and depression.
Curcumin increases BDNF levels, which will help our brains do what they are meant to do… grow, understand more things and make us smarter, although more research is needed to prove that we really do become more intelligent. An increase of BDNF could also halt, and possibly even reverse, the affects of many age-related brain functioning difficulties.
Helps to prevent, and potential even treat, cancer
During lab tests on animals, curcumin (found in turmeric) was shown to lower metastasis (the spread of cancer) decrease angiogenesis (the growth of blood vessels in tumors) and even kill cancerous cells. During an additional study (this time on human beings) curcumin reduced colon lesions in 44 men 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 significant indication that curcumin may help prevent cancer.
Can be used as a natural beauty treatment
So far we've reviewed some of the amazing health benefits of turmeric, but did you know it can make you more beautiful too!
For countless years women in Asia have used turmeric as a natural beauty treatment. Its powerful beautifying qualities have been praised for their power to reduce acne, treat eczema, get rid of dark circles from beneath the eyes, lessen the physical appearance of facial lines, diminish scarring and even remove sun spots.
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