Turmeric may be the most effective nutritional supplement in existence. Many high-quality studies show that it has major benefits for your body and brain.Here are the top 10 evidence-based health benefits of turmeric.
1.Turmeric Contains Bioactive Compounds With Powerful Medicinal Properties
Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color.It has been used in India for thousands of years as a spice and medicinal herb.Recently, science has started to back up what Indians have known for a long time it really does contain compounds with medicinal properties These compounds are called curcuminoids, the most important of which is curcumin.Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.It would be very difficult to reach these levels just using the turmeric spice in your foods.Unfortunately, curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. It helps to consume black pepper with it, which contains piperine, a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin.
The best curcumin supplements contain piperine, substantially increasing their effectiveness.
Curcumin is also fat soluble, so it may be a good idea to take it with a fatty meal.
Turmeric contains curcumin, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
2. Curcumin Is a Natural Anti-Inflammatory Compound
Inflammation is incredibly important. It helps your body fight foreign invaders and also has a role in repairing damage. Without inflammation, pathogens like bacteria could easily take over your body and kill you. Although acute, short-term inflammation is beneficial, it can become a major problem when it becomes chronic and inappropriately attacks your body’s own tissues.This includes heart disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s and various degenerative conditions.
Therefore, anything that can help fight chronic inflammation is of potential importance in preventing and even treating these diseases.Curcumin is strongly anti-inflammatory. In fact, it’s so powerful that it matches the effectiveness of some anti-inflammatory drugs.
3. Curcumin Boosts Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Linked to Improved Brain Function and a Lower Risk of Brain Diseases
Back in the day, it was believed that neurons weren’t able to divide and multiply after early childhood.
However, it’s now known that this does happen.
Neurons are capable of forming new connections, but in certain areas of the brain they can also multiply and increase in number.One of the main drivers of this process is brain-derived neurotrophic factor which is a type of growth hormone that functions in your brain.Many common brain disorders have been linked to decreased levels of this hormone, including depression and Alzheimer’s disease. Interestingly, curcumin can increase brain levels. By doing this, it may be effective in delaying or even reversing many brain diseases and age-related decreases in brain function.
4. Curcumin Should Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
Heart disease is the number 1 cause of death in the world.Unsurprisingly, heart disease is incredibly complicated and various things contribute to it.Curcumin may help reverse many steps in the heart disease process.Perhaps the main benefit of curcumin when it comes to heart disease is improving the function of the endothelium, which is the lining of your blood vessels.It’s well known that endothelial dysfunction is a major driver of heart disease and involves an inability of your endothelium to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting and various other factors.Curcumin leads to improvements in endothelial function. In addition, curcumin reduces inflammation and oxidation.
5. Arthritis Patients Respond Very Well to Curcumin Supplements
Arthritis is a common problem.There are several different types, most of which involve inflammation in the joints. Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory compound, it makes sense that it may help with arthritis.Rheumatoid arthritis, curcumin was even more effective than an anti-inflammatory drug.The effects of curcumin on arthritis and noted improvements in various symptoms.
6. Studies Show That Curcumin Has Incredible Benefits Against Depression
Curcumin has shown some promise in treating depression.Curcumin is as effective as an antidepressant.There is also some evidence that curcumin can boost the brain neurotransmitters serotonin .
7. Curcumin May Help Delay Aging and Fight Age-Related Chronic Diseases
If curcumin can really help prevent heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s, it would have obvious benefits for longevity.This reason, curcumin has become very popular as an anti-aging supplement but given that oxidation and inflammation are believed to play a role in aging, curcumin may have effects that go way beyond just preventing disease.
The Bottom Line
Turmeric and especially its most active compound curcumin have many scientifically-proven health benefits, such as the potential to prevent heart disease, Alzheimer’s and cancer.It’s a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and may also help improve symptoms of depression and arthritis.
