Turmeric may have Superpowers | Why it Should be Part of your Diet
Turmeric is the spice that can change your life. Sure, it can add a new flavour to your cooking, even add great colour to your dishes – But how about being helpful with your health? From being a potent anti-inflammatory and reducer of IBS, to cancer prevention, it has many benefits. Today’s post will walk you through this spice’s benefits. In addition, with practical ways to get it into your daily diet.
Little History Lesson on Turmeric
Chinese and Indian traditional ways of medicine have known about the powerful uses of turmeric for centuries. This spice is native to Indonesia, and southern India, where it has been commonly eaten for over 5,000 years.
It comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, and its appearance has a tough brown skin and a deep orange flesh. This spice is also high in;
- Manganese
- Iron
- A good source of B6
- Copper
- Potassium.
There are several chemical compounds found within it, known as curcuminoids.
The active substance is curcumin.
Curcumin, which gives turmeric that golden yellow colour, directly inhibits the activity of inflammatory prostaglandins, (stated in the 1999 article in Cancer Research). In addition, the phytonutrients in turmeric inhibits the growth of new blood vessels into regions of tumor proliferation.
Other ways that curcumin works is by modulating nitric oxide. It is also anti-ulcerative, DNA-protective, stimulates glutathione, and can be applied topically to skin tumors.
And, when you use this golden spice in cooking, or eat from Ki’s Kitchen, I am sure you understand its great ability to be used as a natural dye, it loves to turn things yellow-orange in colour.
Turmeric benefits include so many healing properties that currently there are over 10,000 peer-reviewed articles published proving turmeric benefits, especially one of its renowned healing compounds, curcumin. (courtesy of Dr. Axe)
7 Benefits Of Turmeric in your Diet
Anti-Inflammatory
Turmeric contains a safe oil fraction and curcumin that are natural anti-inflammatories. The great thing is turmeric does not have the toxic issues that drugs like Motrin carry. For example this includes conditions like ulcer formation, decreased white blood cell count, and intestinal bleeding.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Relief
Turmeric helps to neutralize free radicals which can lead to painful joint inflammation resulting in rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have shown that curcumin produced positive results. Results included shortened duration of stiffness, lengthened walking time, and reduced joint swelling.
Cancer Prevention
Curcumin in turmeric helps protect cellular DNA from free radical damage. In addition, can help to destroy mutated cancer cells so they could not spread throughout the body. Turmeric benefits also include working well to help naturally treat cancer. As well as breast cancer, colon cancer and skin cancer. It may also help with chemotherapy resistance in patients who have shown resistance during or after chemo.
…. and there’s more.
Lower Blood Pressure
It is said to be a natural blood thinner which can help fight against hypertension.
Skin Care
Turmeric helps keep your skin healthy. It helps keep those pesky pimples at bay by preventing the growth of pimple causing bacteria. In addition, reducing the oil secretion by the sebaceous glands. The constant use may clear acne scars and help restore your natural, healthy glow. Its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties accelerate the healing of a cut and soothe skin irritation. Lastly, can fight the signs of aging like wrinkles and pigmentation by curbing the growth of free radicals.
Obesity and Weight Loss
The golden spice, helps accelerate the metabolism rate and lets your body burn a significant number of calories which can lead to weight loss. It is also useful in reducing fat mass and detoxification of the liver, which are essential contributors. Also, with curcumin, turmeric can b lowers bad cholesterol levels and is responsible for suppressing inflammatory messages in muscle, pancreatic, and fat cells.
If your body is no longer constantly fighting inflammation – it has time to help you lose that stubborn weight it may have been holding onto!
Menstrual Cycle Discomfort
If you suffer from severe menstrual symptoms like, cramping, bloating, excessive bleeding, or mood swings, turmeric may be what you’ve been looking for. The anti-inflammatory and soothing nature of the spices natural compounds can relieve most symptoms of menstruation.
In conclusion (sort of!) the 7 benefits of turmeric in your diet listed above, are really only scratching the surface of its capabilities. You will find that many posts in our blog here at Ki’s Kitchen, include this superpower spice in much of our education and recipe dishes.
Lastly, the following is a list of ways that you can start incorporating turmeric in your diet, today!
Ways to add Turmeric to your Cooking
- Easily added to salad dressings.
- Especially great in curry dishes!
- Sprinkle on sauteed apples, steamed cauliflower or green beans.
- Make a quick dip
- Use in egg salad (or faux egg salad) for more yellow colour
- Sauté cauliflower floret halves with it for 5 mins. Take to table and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper to taste
- Experiment and find your own great way of eating it!
Be sure to add black pepper when making turmeric dishes to aid in absorption!
More than anything, we hope you have found some new ways to add turmeric to your diet and also understand the benefits of doing so! If you have any questions please leave a comment below and we will do our best to answer them!
_________________________________________________________
Furthermore, Thank you so much for visiting! I hope you have found some valuable information, if so, I’d love to hear about it!
Please feel free to share this post with anyone who might benefit, and comments are always welcome!
I look forward to connecting with you next time!
And be sure to check out why you should order your family’s next meal courtesy of Ki’s Kitchen
From our kitchen to yours,
Love + Peace
Kiran