This ancient medicinal spice is seeming to become widely known for its numerous health benefits. But where did it come from and why is everyone obsessed with turmeric?
The Breakdown: Why Everyone’s Obsessed with Turmeric
With herbal health remedies becoming more prevalent, people are starting to focus on ancient techniques used in Chinese and Eastern herbal medicine. One of the most common herbs used for its antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects is turmeric.
This vibrant yellow root contains a powerful antioxidant called curcumin. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, curcumin is able to “stimulate the gallbladder to produce bile”. So what does this mean? Since the liver uses bile to eliminate toxins, turmeric can aid your body in flushing out toxins.
No wonder everyone’s obsessed with turmeric! Below are the top turmeric benefits you should know about.
Here are the top 9 reasons you need to be obsessed with turmeric:
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1.) One of the Best Antioxidants
Free radicals exist in the body, however, if there are too many, cell and DNA damage can occur. Luckily, turmeric is antioxidant-rich which makes it the natural remedy for regulating free radicals.
Scientific evidence proves that curcumin (the antioxidant in turmeric) can actually improve the function of your body’s own antioxidant enzymes. Kiss cell and DNA damage goodbye!
2.) Acts as a Natural Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is an essential process in the body, helping to fight off infection. However long-term inflammation can lead to your body’s cells being attacked and damaging your heart, brain, and joints.
Inflammation can be caused quite easily from triggers such as stress, environmental toxins, processed foods, and smoking. Turmeric plays a vital role in ant-inflammatory processes in the body, keeping it regulated. Curcumin inhibits inflammation at the cellular level in your body.
3.) Boosts Your Brain Power
In ancient Chinese medicine, turmeric was used to improve memory retention. This use continues to serve well in modern medicine today.
One of the most important benefits of turmeric is that it relieves inflammation in the brain. In doing so it allows energy production to continue to flow without any interruptions.
Research also shows turmeric increases the availability of Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA is a crucial structural fat in the brain that aids in functionality. To sum it up, turmeric allows your brain to function better.
4.) Relieves Achy Joints
Chronic inflammation in your joints is the number one cause for joint aches and pains. Due to curcumin being an excellent inflammation reducer, you can kiss achy joints goodbye.
A study done displayed that patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis taking curcumin had significantly better results in joint relief than anti-inflammatory drugs.
5.) Aids in Anti-Aging
Oxidation (free-radical damage) and inflammation are the number one factors that contribute to aging. Because of this superfood’s ability to fight free-radical damage, it is perfect to slow down the aging process.
Taking daily supplements of turmeric can assist in the anti-aging process. Are you obsessed with turmeric yet?
6.) Boosts Happiness
Not only does turmeric benefit your body, but your mind as well.
This ancient spice helps increase Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factors (BNDF). These important neurotrophic factors influence the peripheral nervous system and cognitive function. Low levels of BNDF can lead to depression.
Studies show consuming turmeric can boost these levels and allow your mood to remain positive.
7.) Provides Cardiovascular Support
The powerful antioxidant in turmeric (curcumin) provides support to your endothelium (the lining of your blood vessels). Maintaining a healthy endothelium is crucial to your heart health, in which it regulates blood pressure and clotting.
Turmeric also helps to reduce plaque build-up in the heart. A wide variety of heart disorders are a result of excess plaque build-up.
8.) Serves as a Liver Detox
Your liver acts as a filter that flushes out toxins in your body keeping you safe and healthy. But when environmental toxins such as processed foods, pesticides, smoke, and heavy metals come into play, your body is at risk.
Curcumin aids liver detox in which it stimulates bile production in the gall bladder. This bile is then used in the liver to eliminate toxins and break down fats.
9.) Aids in Digestion
Including harmful fats (refined cooking oils or canola oil) in your diet can place detrimental stress on your digestive system. Substitute refined oils with coconut oil instead for a healthier outcome. Learn more about coconut oil here.
In order to process and break down fats, your body needs bile. Turmeric stimulates bile production. A study done shows turmeric is an effective digestive aid and is currently being used in Germany to treat digestive problems.
Are You Obsessed with Turmeric Yet?
After reading the numerous health benefits for your mind and body what are your thoughts? If you want to start consuming turmeric asap, here are some turmeric hacks and my favorite recipe.
Turmeric Hacks
1.) Mix with Black Pepper
Mixing your turmeric with black pepper will allow it to become more easily absorbed into your body. This enhances the presence of digestive enzymes in your gut.
2.) Incorporate Into your Meals
There are many ways to consume turmeric, taking it as a capsule pill is surprisingly the most common form. Don’t forget, it is actually a spice!
Add it for some flavoring in your meals for the day. It will give your food some flavor and your body some nutrients.
3.) Mix in Your Tea
Consuming turmeric can easily be done in tea form. You can find pre-packaged turmeric tea or grind the root up yourself and boil it. Add some ginger, lemon, and honey in there for added taste.
4.) Prepare Golden Milk
Golden Milk recipes are spreading like wildfire due to the high demand of this nutrient potent spice.
Recipe:
- Warm-up 1 cup vanilla almond milk
- Mix in 1 tbsp. turmeric
- Mix in 1 tsp. Mushroom 8 Plex powder
- Add 1 shake of black pepper
- Add cinnamon on top for flavor (optional)