Many people know Turmeric as the yellow spice that adds colour to our delicious curries and other dishes. But Turmeric as a plant-based food has many potential health benefits that can be implemented into our diets.
Why is Turmeric beneficial?
Turmeric has phytonutrients that can help protect cells from damage. One of the natural compounds in Turmeric is Curcumin which has properties that behave as an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant agent.
Below we list the potential benefits of Turmeric :
Anti-inflammatory components of Turmeric
Including turmeric in your diet will result in an increase of the natural compound curcumin which can increase the antioxidant capacity within our bodies. Curcumin can neutralize free radicals which have reactive properties in certain fatty acids like proteins or DNA.
Decreases risk of heart disease
When the lining of our blood vessels are damaged this can increase the risk of certain heart diseases and affect the flow of blood regulation. By increasing your turmeric intake this could help lower the risk of these heart diseases. This is due to certain aspects of curcumin that can improve the overall strength of the blood vessel lining.
Decreases risk of Cancer
Curcumin can reduce the growth of blood vessels in certain tumors which aids in stopping the spread of cancer.
Arthritis
Curcumin’s anti-inflammation properties can be a great aid in decreasing the pain in the joints of arthritis patients.
Indigestion:
Curcumin can also help with indigestion and acid reflux because of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
How can you add Turmeric to your diet?
- Mix turmeric into your yoghurt.
- Drink it as tea.
- Sprinkle it on some scrambled egg.
- Supplements ( please discuss with your doctor prior to consuming/purchasing )
Also see: WATCH: How to make your own immune booster shots
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