Top 5 Health Benefits of Curcumin

Turmeric comes from the roots of the Curcuma longa plant, which comes from tropical South Asia with strong browns and deep citrus flesh. Turmeric is a major ingredient in many Indian dishes, but has long been used as a powerful anti-inflammatory in Chinese and Indian medicine.

The active agents in spices are plant chemicals, or polyphenols, called curcumin. Curcumin gives turmeric a yellow color, and also gives turmeric many health benefits. Here, we give you 5 top reasons why curcumin should be included in your diet, and the best way to do it.

Top 5 health benefits of Curcumin

1] Antioxidants

Curcumin is considered a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances that can protect cells from damage caused by unstable molecules by free radicals. Damage to free radicals can lead to cancer, aging and various maladies. Antioxidants such as curcumin are believed to stabilize free radicals, preventing cell damage.

2] Anticancer

Laboratory and animal research suggests that curcumin can prevent cancer, slow the growth of disease and make chemotherapy more effective. Clinical trials are currently underway to investigate curcumin as a way to prevent cancer from developing in people with previous conditions, as well as treatment for the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

3] Respiratory system

Studies have shown that curcumin helps reduce inflammation of the airways associated with asthma.

4] Anti-inflammatory

Curcumin is known for its strong anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory effects of Curcumin help reduce inflammation in tissues characterized by pain, redness, swelling and heat, which greatly helps osteoarthritis patients.

5] Immunity

The ability of curcumin to stabilize the cell membrane increases the cell's resistance to infection. Curcumin may help control some autoimmune diseases including Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, asthma, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and scleroderma.

How to include Curcumin in your daily diet

Dry turmeric has higher curcumin content than curry powder. Although dried turmeric is widely available, it is best to buy it from an ethnic market or convenience store to ensure it is not chemically treated. If you can find turmeric raisins in the grocery store, you can make your own fresh turmeric powder by boiling, drying and then grinding it into a smooth consistency.

In addition, there are several recipes online that use turmeric as a main ingredient. It's not just curry that benefits from the powders - it can be used in many types of snacks, starters, bowls and even desserts. If cooking is not your thing, add turmeric to your diet by mixing it in rice, sprinkling it in your curry or adding a spoon to cottage cheese.

You can also add some black pepper to your curry to enhance the benefits of curcumin. The medical properties of curcumin cannot be fully utilized because of its limited bioavailability in the body. But adding black pepper to turmeric increases the bio-availability of curcumin by 1,000 times, due to the hot pepper pepper property called piperine.

Curcumin supplements can be an easy way to add chemicals to your daily routine. However, curcumin supplements may be contaminated with everything from pesticides to other spices - so you must choose a reliable supplier. But before you start taking supplements talk to your doctor, as curcumin supplements can interfere with other medications and may not be covered by health insurance.

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