Why consuming turmeric can be essential to longevity
In recent years, one spice has been gaining popularity in the media for its claim of being able to cure common diseases like the flu and its miraculous ability to lower inflammation. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is the main spice used in many famous Indian dishes. If you’ve never heard of turmeric or cardamom, then you should get a new health advisor.
Commonly known in India as the “Queen of Spices”, it is considered by many naturopaths, nutritionists, doctors and pretty much anybody in our solar system as a super food.
In the article that follows, we will dive into the health benefits of turmeric while also, introducing you to different ways of consuming turmeric.
What is turmeric?
Turmeric or cardamom is a spice that has been used in India and its surrounding countries for more than 5 000 years. This super spice is as nutritious as it is delicious. With a hint of mint, lemon and its smoky flavour, it is popular in Asian cuisine. Turmeric also packs a wide variety of vitamins in minerals essential for human beings to maintain a healthy lifestyle. According to health prep, turmeric contains traces of calcium, magnesium, iron, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C. Also, because of its rich orange colour, turmeric is jam packed with important antioxidants which are important for overall healthy longevity.
Health benefits of turmeric
As previously mentioned, turmeric can be an antidote to many illnesses and health conditions that we face today. Here are some of its benefits.
(1) Turmeric lowers inflammation
Cardamom or turmeric is loaded with a super powerful compound called curcuminoids. When this compound reaches one’s bloodstream, it affects the body by lowering down inflammation caused by stress, food and environment. It is important to note that most doctors in our western world agree upon the fact that inflammation is the main cause of most major health problems. Turmeric can control inflammation which can enhance and prolong your life. (Anarson, 2019)
(2) Turmeric can increase brain function
To those that know or don’t know, turmeric can increase brain power. According to scientists, turmeric can increase your brain’s levels of BNDF. In other words, BNDF or brain-derived neurotrophic factor is a type of growth hormone that supports new connections between neurons. By doing so, turmeric can potentially prolong longevity by assuring proper connections in your brain and preventing age-related diseases.
(3) Cardamom can lower heart disease
It’s a fact, heart disease is the number case of death in the world. For decades now, medical researchers have investigated the cause of this killer with a variety of conclusions. Turmeric can lower our risks of heart disease by improving the function of the endothelium, the lining of your blood cells. When one’s endothelium is healthy, it prevents heart disease by regulating blood pressure, blood clotting and other cardiac related illnesses. (Anarson, 2019) Research suggests that consumption of turmeric can improve endothelial function.
(4) Turmeric can help with arthritis
Curcuminoids is a powerful anti-inflammatory compound that is found in turmeric. Arthritis and arthritis pain, is generally known as a condition in which one can witness the inflammation of the joints. Turmeric can possibly help cure or reduce arthritis pain by lessening inflammation around the joints. Certain studies demonstrate that turmeric is more effective arthritis cases than certain anti-inflammatory drugs. (Chandran and Goel, 2012)
(5) May slow or prevent blood cloths
Believe it or not, turmeric can reduce and halt the production of blood clots in a person’s body. In certain animal and lab studies, the consumption of turmeric daily proved to be effective in reducing the chances of platelet aggregation and blood clots forming in the body. (Axe, 2019)
How do we consume turmeric?
(1) Add it to your food
A simple way of consuming turmeric would be to add the orange spice to your foods. Great in stews, soups, with fish or poultry, it can add loads of flavour while providing all the healthy benefits mentioned in the article.
(2) Make a health shot!
There a variety of health shots one can make with turmeric as the primary ingredient, here’s my little potion!
Ingredients:
-1 tbs of turmeric
-1 tea spoon of black pepper (helps with the absorption)
-1 tbs of lemon juice
-1 tbs of cayenne pepper
-1 tbs of apple cider vinegar
-Half a cup of water
(3) Make some delicious tea
One easy way of getting more of this magical spice into your body, is by infusing it with some tea. It’s a simple as that, add some warm water to turmeric, add a bag of tea, and let both simmer and mix together. __________________________________________________________________________________ BIBLIOGRAPHY - https://draxe.com/turmeric-curcumin-benefits/ - https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric#section1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19233493 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22407780