Health Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric is renowned to have medicinal properties which benefits the human body in every way. This blog contains the “10 MIND-BOGGLING HEALTH BENEFITS OF TURMERIC” which will definitely surprise you. Top 10 Evidence-Based Benefits of Coffee
Brief About Turmeric
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) which is renowned as the “GOLDEN SPICE” not only because of its yellow color but also due to its numerous astounding health benefits.
Turmeric holds a very prestigious and reputed place in Conventional Indian Medicinal System and Chinese Medicine and it is still consumed and cultivated massively in Asia, specifically in India.
It has been used extensively and enormously as a medicinal herb from 5,000 years in Ayurveda and 2,000 years in Atharvaveda.
Turmeric has many phytochemicals but the most essential and effective bioactive compound found in it is ‘Curcumin’ which possesses several health benefits and is proven to prevent numerous diseases because of its valuable medicinal capability and properties.
It possesses antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-bacterial, antifungal, anticancer, antiseptic, antidiabetic, hypocholesterolemic, anti-thrombotic, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, neuroprotective effects and so on.
10 Mind-Boggling Benefits of Turmeric
(1) Benefits of Turmeric for Skin
Turmeric has been used from ages in Indian Medicinal System, still an essential ingredient of many face products and used to cure many skin diseases because it helps in beautifying and soothing the skin and making it look healthier and brighter, due to its skin rejuvenating, wound-healing, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
An extensive meta-analysis reviewed a total of 18 studies out of which 9 studies investigated the effects of ingestion of turmeric on skin, 8 studies evaluated the effects of topical application of turmeric on skin, and 1 study evaluated the effects of both.
A total of 10 studies showed a statistical significant improvement in skin disease severity in the turmeric treatment groups compared with control groups. 10 Amazing Benefits of Aloe Vera
(2) Benefits of Turmeric for Teeth
Turmeric strongly helps in maintaining the oral health, tackling periodontal problems and strengthening the gums and teeth due to its antimicrobial, antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties.
A research showed that topical application of 1 tsp of turmeric with ½ tsp of salt and ½ tsp of mustard oil provided relief from gingivitis and periodontitis.
Another study also reported that turmeric mouthwash (10 mg of curcumin extract in 100 ml of distilled water) was helpful in preventing plaque and gingivitis as well.
(3) Healthy Aging and Longevity
Studies have provided some evidence that curcumin possesses anti-ageing properties which ensures healthy aging and longevity of the human body. However, more evidence is needed in this regard.
Many clinical trials and studies have shown that curcumin helps in healthy ageing by: (1) inducing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, (2) acting on different target proteins, (3) arresting cancer progression and (4) modulating microglia neuroprotection. 10 Scientifically-Proven Health Benefits of Amla
(4) Fights Cancer
Turmeric has been proven to prevent various types of cancer including liver cancer, breast cancer, gastric cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, etc, because of its anti-carcinogenic properties, and inhibits cancer cell growth.
In vitro study, showed that 50 mcg/ml turmeric decreased Mcl-1 gene expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line subjects.
Another in vitro study consisted of the Patu8988 pancreatic cell line, which consumed 10, 15 and 20 μM.
It suppressed cancer cell growth, inhibited migration and invasion, induced apoptosis, downregulated YAP and TAZ expression and suppressed Notch-1 expression.
(5) Promotes Brain Health
Turmeric possesses neuroprotective and anti-depressant properties and has therapeutic effect on various neurodegenerative disorders including , Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Prions disease, depression, anxiety, etc.
An in vitro study showed that dosage of 300 mg/kg of bodyweight curcumin reduced oxidative stress levels in middle cerebral artery occlusion in male sprague–dawley rats.
Another in vitro/vivo study reported a significant decrement in the activation of microglia and astrocytes in primary hippocampus neurons/APP/PS1 transgenic mice, who were given 150 mg/kg curcumin daily for 4 weeks.
Microglia and astrocytes, are brain cells which are important for cerebral microenvironment and to perform structural, metabolic, homeostatic, and neuroprotective tasks, respectively. 7 Health Benefits Of Almonds, Backed By Science
(6) Relieves Muscle Soreness
There is a tradition or ‘Home-made Hack’ of consuming ‘Haldi Dood–Turmeric Milk’ in injury/pain because of its amazing medicinal,wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties, however, research is pretty conflicting over the curcumin effect on muscle soreness.
A meta-analysis published in the journal, Physical Activity and Nutrition reported that several studies showed a significant reduction in muscle soreness due to curcumin supplementation while others showed no effect with the average dose of 150-1500 mg and even sometimes up to 5 gm daily. How to reduce muscle soreness?
(7) Ensures Bone Health
Scientific evidence has indicated that turmeric possesses anti-arthritic effect on the human body and helps to deal with bone diseases like arthritis. Sunlight: The Powerhouse of Vitamin D
A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, randomly assigned curcuminoid with 5 mg piperine (500 mg/day in 3 doses) in 19 subjects or a matched placebo in 21 subjects for 6 weeks. These 40 subjects were osteoarthritic patients.
The turmeric group showed a greater reduction in Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, Lequesne’s Pain Functional Index (LPFI) scores and also improved the pain and physical function scores.
Another randomized controlled trial assigned osteoarthritic patients, either standard treatment or standard treatment with two 500 mg tablets per day, consisting of a natural curcuminoid mixture (20%), containing phosphatidyl choline (40%) and microcrystalline cellulose (40%) for 8 months.
There was a significant reduction in WOMAC, physical function, and stiffness scores in the treatment group compared to the control group. Top 11 High Vitamin D Foods
(8) Regulates Cholesterol Levels
Turmeric possesses hypocholesterolemic effects and helps in improving the lipid profile. A meta-analysis published in the Nutrition Journal, reviewed the efficacy and safety of turmeric in 7 eligible studies which included 649 patients with cardiovascular risk.
The findings were, massive decrement in LDL-C (Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol) and TGs (Triglycerides).
Another study also showed reduction in serum cholesterol levels and TGs in human volunteers supplemented with 500 mg turmeric for 1 week. However, consumption of turmeric for 1-6 months did not produce any effect on cholesterol levels. Top 5 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Coconut Water
(9) Tackles Diabetes
Research has revealed that turmeric has positive effects on diabetic humans and animals, reduces fasting blood glucose levels and increases insulin sensitivity/secretion.
A study reported that oral administration of turmeric aqueous extract at a dosage of 300 mg/kg of bodyweight or curcumin (30 mg/kg of bodyweight for 56 days enormously reduced blood glucose levels in STZ-induced diabetes model in rats.
Intraperitoneal administration of curcumin (100 μL/mouse) for 28 days significantly decreased hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia and glucose intolerance in STZ-induced Swiss diabetic mice.
Another study indicated that oral administration of curcumin at a dose of 80 mg/kg of bodyweight for 15 and 60 days, respectively, depicted an antihyperglycemic effect and improved insulin sensitivity in high fat diet induced insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes models in rats. 10 Scientifically-Proven Health Benefits Of Sugarcane Juice
(10) Disease Prevention
Turmeric is extremely high in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, anti-bacterial properties, anti-fungal properties and medicinal properties which helps to reduce oxidative stress, inflammation and prevents multiple diseases.
Turmeric reduces the occurrence and helps in treating a wide range of disorders including stomach diseases, liver ailments, conjunctivitis, small pox, chicken pox, UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections) and many more. How To Improve Digestion? The Perfect Guide 101
Why are turmeric and black pepper better together?
The main beneficial bioactive compound in turmeric is ‘Curcumin’ but its bioavailability is very low, i.e. it is not properly absorbed into the blood stream. To increase its absorption into the body, it is advised to mix black pepper with it.
Black pepper also consists of a beneficial bioactive compound which is called ‘Piperine’, which is scientifically proven to increase the bioavailability of curcumin in the body by 2000%. Benefits of Neem to the Human Body and the Nature
Takeaway
Turmeric is one of the most beneficial spices because of its medicinal properties and bioactive compounds present in it. The above listed “10 MIND-BOGGLING HEALTH BENEFITS OF TURMERIC” are adequate enough to show turmeric’s value for the human body. 12 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Green Tea
