The bright yellow aromatic powder might be a newcomer in global market, but it has been a mainstay in Indian cooking and medicine for centuries.
The member of the ginger family, turmeric (haridra or haldi) has long been used for its diverse medicinal properties apart from its culinary uses. This bitter, astringent, and pungent in taste ayurvedic herb is known as ‘tridoshic’, indicating its potential cater Vata, Kapha as well as Pitta Dosha. In this article, we will discuss about unique health benefits and ways to incorporate turmeric in your daily life.
Turmeric contains over 100 chemical compounds starting with 4 polysaccharides-ukonans along with stigmasterole, beta-sitosterole, cholesterol, and 2-hydroxymethyl anthraquinone.
Consumption of 100 g of turmeric provides 390 kcal energy, 10 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 69.9 g carbohydrates, 21 g dietary fiber, and 8 g protein, 0.26 g Phosphorous, 0.2 g Calcium, 10 mg Sodium, 2500 mg Potassium, 47.5 mg Iron, 0.19 mg Riboflavin, 0.9 mg Thiamine, 4.8 mg Niacin, and 50 mg Ascorbic Acid. Turmeric also provides omega-3 fatty acid and alpha-linolenic acid.
Resilient Health: The best-known health benefit of turmeric root or powder is its anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant properties. They boost immunity and protect from disease-causing pathogens. As per reports, Turmeric has also shown antiviral, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties in recent studies. Abundantly found Curcumin, a potent antioxidant help neutralizing free radicals inside the body.
Say Goodbye to Aches: Suffering from chronic back pain or arthritis? Turmeric can help you significantly, as confirmed by clinical trials. It can be consumed as a pain reliever for people suffering from arthritis.
Brighten Your Brain: Curcumin has been proven to be boosting concentrations of the hormone Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). This hormone promotes the growth of neurons while reducing risks of degenerative diseases. Thus, ayurveda suggests Turmeric for treating dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Heart of Gold: Phytochemicals in turmeric improve function of the endothelium, reducing the risks of cardiovascular diseases. It has bad cholesterol lowering capabilities too, preventing stroke risks.
Radiant Skin: Turmeric help in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, scleroderma, and other skin diseases. It also promotes wound healing by reducing skin dryness. For glowing skin tone, turmeric is a must.
Majority of Indians curries contain turmeric. But, there are multiple ways to incorporate Turmeric in your diet apart from using it as spices during cooking. Remember, Turmeric don't get absorbed in your body easily, it needs some other element in liquid form for maximum absorption inside the body. You can add curcumin as a flavoring agent in tea or coffee.
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Another famous drink is golden milk or milk prepared with turmeric powder, honey, black pepper and cinnamon. This is highly effective for people suffering from common cold in weather transition. Otherwise, you can take turmeric supplements for gut and skin health. Some ayurvedic turmeric supplements contain over 90% of curcumin, providing brilliant results.
People consuming blood thinners or recovering from major surgery should stay away from these supplements. Also patients with gallbladder disease must intake Turmeric in low to moderate quantities.
