You know that really yellow spice used mainly in Indian food called turmeric? Well, it’s becoming quite a big deal in the states and you won’t believe all the benefits this spice (which is often used as a dye agent) can have on your health.
The most active ingredient in turmeric is called curcumin, which is responsible for most of the spice’s health benefits. It turns out that a teaspoon of turmeric a day can help the body fight off inflammation, pain, aging, some cancers, fight free radicals, plaque, and toxins in the body. The only downfall? Our bodies don’t absorb curcumin very well, but not to worry. Simply adding a dash of black pepper in with the turmeric will help your body absorb it much more efficiently.
Some details about the health benefits:
Brain Support Boost– Researchers have found that turmeric can cross the blood-brain barrier and bind with plaque, which can delay or reverse certain brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Anti-Inflammatory Relief– The curcumin in turmeric is just as effective as most anti-inflammatory drugs. It can ease inflammation due to inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and pancreatitis.
Aids in Cardiovascular Health– As we discussed earlier, curcumin can fight plaque found in our arteries which help in the prevention of blood clots. It can also aide in bad cholesterol.
Improves Digestion– The curcumin helps ease and reduce bloating, gas, and stimulates the gall bladder. If you have gall bladder problems you may want to avoid turmeric to prevent over stimulation.
Check out the video for more health info on turmeric. And spice up your meals for better health!