Turmeric and curcumin are spices rich in minerals and has been used in traditional medicine. These spices are regularly used in south Asian dishes as a flavoring agent. Turmeric and curcumin have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that aid in preventing and treating diseases.
Health benefits of Turmeric and curcumin
Anti-inflammatory property
Turmeric is most commonly used to fight inflammation, and the bulk of turmeric’s inflammation-fighting powder can be credited to curcumin. Turmeric and curcumin are great in keeping the body healthy. Inflammation fighting medicine is available in the market; however, taking the right dose of curcumin may be more effective in treating anti-inflammation. Curcumin may help in treating a condition like inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, and arthritis.
Effective in treating heart disease and type2 diabetes
Curcumin may help in improving the health of the thin membrane that covers the inside of the heart and blood vessel. These membranes have a key role in regulating blood pressure, which is effective in minimizing heart disease. Curcumin is also effective at improving endothelial function in a person with type 2 diabetes. Cumin alone may not be effective in curing heart disease and type 2 diabetes; however, taking curcumin along with medical treatment can benefit health.
May prevent cancer
As curcumin and turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties, they can help in treating and preventing cancer. These spices can help in preventing cancer like colorectal, pancreatic, prostate, breast, and gastric cancer. Curcumin may help in slowing the spread of tumor cells and prevent tumor formation. Curcumin may be effective depending upon the stage of cancer. These spices may interfere with cell signaling pathway and may cause cancer forming cell to die.
May treat diabetes
Properties of curcumin may help in treating and preventing diabetes. It is more effective for people with type 1 diabetes and types 2 diabetes. Many studies have been done on animals but not in human. One study was conducted in rat with type 2 diabetes. It was condected for 45 days that led to a significant decrease in blood sugar as well as an increase in plasma insulin. Curcumin may help in preventing diabetes through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and improve many of the factors that contribute to diabetes.
May treat Alzheimer’s disease
Turmeric may even protect the brain against common degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. By increasing levels of a brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein found in the brain and spinal cord plays a key role in keeping nerve cells healthy and regulating communication between nerve cells. The properties present in turmeric may help in delaying or reversing brain degeneration.
Treating depression
Depressing is becoming common in people. Depressing is also associated with lower levels of BDNF. Turmeric has the ability to boost the level of BDNF. One study conducted where a rat was injected with 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg of curcumin for 10 days to a dose-dependent increase in BDNF. The research was also conducted in humans and this result also showed a positive result in improving the level of BDNF. A person with depression can take turmeric to cure depression. However, taking turmeric may not show an immediate result in depression.
Great for skin
Pollution damages the skin. Skin care products are available in the market that can cure skin related problem however, chemicals in the products may damage the skin. Those products may be effective in the short term but may harm the skin in the long term. So, it is always beneficial in using a natural paste to cure skin related problem. Using turmeric in the skin gives a glow and also removes dirt. Making paste and applying it to the skin can help in removing pores.
Protects from free radicals
Antioxidants are great for the body which helps in preventing many diseases. This property of turmeric help protect body against damage cause by free radicals and environment pollution like cigarette smoke and industrial chemicals. When your body is too exposed to free radicals, it can mess with the fats, proteins and even DNA and this can lead to common diseases like cancer, arthritis, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s.
May prevent anti-aging
You can also get many anti-aging products in the market. However you there is no such prove that turmeric and curcumin is effective in anti-aging. Applying turmeric paste can reduce wrinkles on the face. This paste may not be effective to everyone, but it is effective to some people. If you want to give a try, you can use this paste once or twice a week to see some result.
Pain relief
Turmeric also acts as pain-relieving agent. This spice can relieve arthritis pain, as well. The study was conducted on people with arthritis in the knee, and it shows that positive effects in them. Taking the right dose of turmeric may be effective in relieving arthritis pain.
