You can find many articles on this blog (find links at the end of this post) where I have added turmeric to a recipe that helps one lose weight, get glowing skin, or improve overall health.
Turmeric is an important part of Indian culture. Ancient Indian scholars were well aware of the benefits of this multipurpose spice and hence Turmeric or Haldi got an auspicious status in Hindu and Buddhism Culture.
Right from ancient times Indian’s have used Turmeric to spice up our food almost all our recipes have turmeric as a necessary ingredient. Besides food Turmeric is also used for beauty treatments, for spiritual rites and rituals, to worship Gods and Goddesses, and to bring in positive energy in our homes and lives.
In this article, I am concentrating mainly on the health benefits of Turmeric. If you are interested to know the spiritual purposes of turmeric, please mention it in the comments section below and I will write another article highlighting the spiritual importance of Turmeric.
Below are the reasons why you should consider adding Turmeric to your diet.
Benefits of Turmeric:
1.Anti-Inflammatory & 2. Antioxidant:
Turmeric contains curcumin, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Curcumin and other chemicals in turmeric decrease swelling (inflammation). Turmeric root is extraordinarily rich in curcuminoid polyphenol antioxidants that give it a classic yellow-orange color. Turmeric has been shown to reduce inflammation & oxidative stress.
3. Improves Digestion:
Turmeric stimulates the gallbladder to produce bile, instantly making the digestive system more efficient. It is also known to reduce symptoms of bloating and gas. Turmeric Aids In Digestion.
4. Improves Metabolic Rate:
Turmeric is known as heat creating spice. It has the ability to boosts body heat. Increased heat improves metabolic rate and digestive power which aids in weight loss.
5. Improves Brain Health:
Curcumin in turmeric has proven significant neuroprotective benefits, helping reduce neurotoxicity and oxidative stress linked to disease progression. It also shows potential in depression treatment by reversing detrimental brain changes that occur in depression. It’s also been studied for its potential to boost levels of mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Turmeric improves overall mental health and cognitive function.
6. Improves Skin Health:
Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties contribute significantly to healthier skin. These results appear while using both topically in face masks and orally by adding to the regular diet.
Turmeric may reduce the appearance of acne scars, limit breakouts, prevent wrinkles and visual signs of aging, and even treat inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
Turmeric shields the skin by reducing free radical damage, it reduces the body’s inflammatory response, it improves collagen deposition, increases fibroblast (cells that synthesize connective tissue) and vascular density, induces growth factor-beta, angiogenesis, and accumulation of extracellular matrix, all vital processes in tissue repair. Turmeric significantly enhances overall skin health.
7. Controls Blood Pressure:
Turmeric has the ability to inhibit oxidative stress, AGE formation, & inflammatory prostaglandins across multiple organ systems. Multiple biochemical pathways make it an incredibly powerful anti-aging and performance-enhancing aid. Turmeric has been shown to reverse diabetes & improve blood vessel elasticity. This stabilizes blood pressure and improves cardiovascular function.
8. Controls Diabetes:
Curcumin has been shown to stabilize blood sugar and reverse cellular insulin resistance by increasing the number of insulin receptors and improving the receptor binding capacity to insulin. Curcumin appears to have both an insulin-sensitizing and glucose-lowering benefit while improving glycemic regulation.
9. Boosts Immunity:
Lipopolysaccharide – a substance in turmeric with anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal agents helps stimulate the human immune system.
10. Heals Wounds:
Turmeric has natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties which makes it an effective disinfectant. It is sprinkled on the affected area to help it heal faster.
Other articles from this blog where turmeric was mentioned as an ingredient:
- Green Gram or Green Moong: A Superfood for Weight Loss and Much More.
- 10 Benefits of Besan/ Chickpea Flour/ Indian Gram Flour: A Superfood for Weight Loss and Much More.
- 7 Yogurt Benefits and Face Packs for Removing Tan, Radiant Skin, Whitening & Brightening
- Neem Leaves Ice Cubes: 7 Uses for Skin Problems, Acne, Dark Spots, Fine Lines and Much more
- 9 Natural (Edible) Ingredients for Flawless Radiant Skin
- 9 Foods to Have & 9 Foods to Avoid while Practicing Yoga and Pranayama
- Cucumber an Amazing Vegetable for Weight Loss and Much More
- 5 Ayurvedic Cleanse Recipes to Re-Ignite Your Body’s Digestive Fire
- 6 Super Foods for Weight Loss and Much More
- Amla or Indian Gooseberry: Every day Visit to the Fountain of Youth (part 2)
This article on Turmeric is great, it goes into detail about the many benefits of this powerful spice. I was really interested to read about the weight loss benefits of turmeric powder and I’ll definitely be incorporating it into my diet. The recipe for the turmeric latte looks delicious too, I can’t wait to try it!