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Health Benefits Of Turmeric & Side Effects

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Health benefits of turmeric have been understood by Ayurveda for centuries. Modern science has identified curcumin as the active ingredient in turmeric extract as the source of turmeric’s benefits. Ayurvedic medicine, an acient Indian system of therapy, suggests turmeric extract for various health problems. These consist of chronic discomfort and also inflammation. Western medication has started to examine turmeric as a painkiller as well as a healing agent.

Ayurveda has understood for centuries just how turmeric may profit your health and wellness, along with several of its adverse effects. Curcumin is its essential antioxidant, boasts an array of researched-backed and also time-tested advantages. It is admired as the holy powder for its tried and tested healing properties.

The turmeric that we see in stores is made from the plant’s roots. The intense yellow shade of processed turmeric extract has motivated several societies to use it as a dye. Ground turmeric extract is likewise a primary active ingredient in curry powder. Pills, teas, powders, as well as extracts are some of the turmeric items available readily.

See: Ayurveda for Healthy Aging & Longevity

Turmeric is warm and bitter in preference. It is frequently utilized to color and also flavor curry powders, mustards, butter, and cheese. The roots of turmeric are also widely used to make ayurvedic medicine. As one of the most potent spices, Turmeric extract is a good-to-go service for almost all ailments. It has an incredible listing of healing properties consisting of antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-fungal, anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic, and anti-inflammatory. This fact is reason enough to explore ways to include in your food.

See: How to Lengthen Telomeres & Delay Aging

Turmeric is used in Ayurveda to balance Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. However, in excess, it can aggravate Pitta and Vata. It has many beneficial impacts on rasa and rakta dhatus (the blood and plasma of the circulatory system). It also kindles Agni or digestion fire, helping reduce Kapha and ama or toxic substances.

See: Turmeric benefits for men

How This Helps

Turmeric Health Benefits:
Antioxidants | Anti-inflammatory | Diabetes II | Cardiovascular disorders | Skin | Brain and Neurological | Cancer | Respiratory ailments | Obesity | Anti-aging | Digestion | Alzheimer’s disease | Arthritis |

What is turmeric?

Turmeric is a flowering plant and belongs to the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It grows in Asia and Central America and sometimes referred to as Indian saffron or the gold spice (or Haldi in Hindi).

The turmeric on supermarket shelves is made from the ground roots. The bright yellow color of ground turmeric is unmistakable as a curry powder is common in Indian cuisine. You can buy turmeric not only in its traditional powder form but also in capsules, teas, and extracts.

See: Active immunity vs. passive immunity in Ayurveda

Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric with its powerful biological properties. Ayurvedic medicine recommends turmeric for many different health conditions. These include chronic pain and inflammation. Western medicine has only recently started to study turmeric as a pain reliever and a therapeutic agent.

Let us investigate the nutrient content of turmeric, how it may benefit health, in addition to a number of its side effects.

Turmeric nutririon facts

Turmeric Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 100 g
Nutrients Amount
Water 12.85 g
Energy 312 kcal
Protein 9.68 g
Total lipid (fat) 3.25 g
Carbohydrate, by difference 67.14 g
Fiber, total dietary 22.7 g
Sugars, total 3.21 g
Minerals
Calcium, Ca 168 mg
Iron, Fe 55 mg
Magnesium, Mg 208 mg
Phosphorus, P 299 mg
Potassium, K 2080 mg
Sodium, Na 27 mg
Zinc, Zn 4.5 mg
Vitamins
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid 0.7 mg
Thiamin 0.058 mg
Riboflavin 0.15 mg
Niacin 1.35 mg
Vitamin B-6 0.107 mg
Folate, DFE 20 µg
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 4.43 mg
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 13.4 µg
Lipids
Fatty acids, total saturated 1.838 g
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated 0.449 g
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated 0.756 mg
Fatty acids, total trans 0.056 mg
Source: USDA Nutrient Database No. 28

Health benefits of turmeric

Turmeric is a flavorsome spice that’s nutritious to consume in curries
around the world.  It has also been
recognized in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory conditions,
skin diseases, wounds, digestive disorders, and liver ailments.

1. Anti-inflammatory properties

The Arthritis Foundation cites several studies where turmeric has
decreased inflammation. It suggests taking turmeric in capsule form of 400 to
600 mg, three times a day, may help in inflammation relief. This
anti-inflammatory ability might lessen the pain in the joints that individuals
with arthritis feel.

See: Ayurveda for back pain

2. Possibly reducing the risk of cancer

Curcumin shows promise for cancer care therapy. Studies suggest it’s
protective effects against pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and multiple
myeloma.

See: Ayurveda Treatment For Cancer Side Effects

3. Pain relief

Turmeric has traditionally been used as a pain reliever. The spice is
known to relieve arthritis pain too. Studies appear to confirm the benefit of turmeric for pain relief, with one research noting that it seemed to be as effective as ibuprofen in people with arthritis in their knees. Though dosing recommendations vary, individuals who engaged in the study took 800 mg of turmeric in capsule form every day.

See: Guduchi Powder Health Benefits & Side Effects

4. Enhancing liver function

Turmeric has been gaining attention lately due to its antioxidant
abilities. The antioxidant effect of turmeric is apparently so powerful that it
might prevent your liver from being damaged by toxins. Those who take potent
drugs for diabetes or other health conditions that may harm their liver with
long-term usage may find this as welcome news.

See: Amla Berry Health Benefits & Side Effects

5. Digestive benefits

Turmeric adds a distinct flavor to any food, which explains its presence
in curry powder. However, turmeric may also play an essential role in digesting
that food. The spice can bring about healthy digestion as a consequence of its
anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

See: Ayurveda Treatment For GERD And Acidity

Turmeric is an integral part of Ayurvedic medicine as a digestive healing
agent. Western medicine has started to research how turmeric can help with gut
inflammation and gut permeability, two steps of digestive efficiency.

The spice is being researched as a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS).

See: Ayurveda for IBS

6. Including turmeric in the diet

Turmeric is an extremely versatile spice that can be added to foods in a
range of ways, such as:

Adding turmeric to spice mixtures like sausage or curry rub

creating a homemade dressing using part oil, part vinegar, and seasonings
including turmeric

Changing your go-to marinades with the addition of turmeric. Turmeric is also available as a nutritional supplement in
powder-containing capsules, capsules, extracts, and tinctures. Bromelain, a
protein extract derived from pineapples increases the absorption and effects
of turmeric, so it is often blended with turmeric in these products.

Turmeric powder, tea, extracts, and supplements are available for
purchase at many health stores and online. You should check with a physician before taking any nutritional
supplements to ensure they are safe for you to use.

Turmeric side effects

Side effects of turmeric

While turmeric does provide potential health benefits, it creates some
risks that are worth considering before swallowing massive amounts. While the
positive facets of turmeric may outweigh the side effects, it’s essential to be
aware that a pure healer like turmeric might cause specific health problems
within the body. Below are a few side effects of turmeric worth understanding.

1. Upsetting the gut

Turmeric is known to heal your body and cause inflammation in your gut
that may lead to abdominal pain and cramps. The very same agents in turmeric
which support digestive health can irritate when taken in large quantities.
Some participants in research looking at using turmeric for cancer therapy had
to drop out because their digestion was negatively influenced.

See: Ayurveda For Heart Health

2. Can cause nausea and diarrhea

Turmeric is known to stimulate the stomach to produce more gastric acid. When this helps some people’s digestion, it can negatively impact others. Curcumin has a propensity to disturb the gastrointestinal tract, which causes diarrhea and nausea with excessive consumption.

3. Risk of kidney stones

Turmeric includes oxalates, which may increase the chance of developing kidney stones. The oxalates can bind the calcium to form insoluble calcium oxalate that’s a vital source of kidney stones.

See: Ayurveda Treatments To Prevent And Reverse Diabetes Mellitus

4. May cause an allergic reaction

You might be allergic to particular compounds present in turmeric which
may lead to outbreaks, rashes, migraines as well as shortness of breath.
Allergic reactions may occur from both ingestion and skin contact.

5. Iron deficiency

Excessive turmeric consumption may inhibit the absorption of iron.
Therefore, people with iron deficiency should be cautious not to include a lot
of turmeric in their everyday meals, as it might reduce the body’s ability to
absorb iron.

See: Ayurveda Treatments For Pancreatitis

6. Blood-thinning properties

The purifying properties of turmeric may also lead to simpler bleeding
more easily. The cause of this is unclear. Other proposed benefits, such as
reduced cholesterol and reduced blood pressure may have something to do with
how turmeric works in your blood. Individuals who take blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin (Coumadin),
should avoid consuming large doses of turmeric.

See: Ayurveda Treatment For PCOS Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

7. Stimulating contractions

Some studies imply turmeric can alleviate symptoms of PMS. Pregnant women should avoid taking turmeric supplements due to its
blood-thinning consequences. Adding small amounts of turmeric to food for a
spice should not cause health issues.

Tips to include turmeric in diet

There are lots of creative ways to integrate turmeric into your everyday diet. Be cautious when using turmeric because its deep color can easily stain. To avert a lasting stain, quickly wash any area with which it has made contact with water and soap. To avoid staining your hands, you could consider wearing kitchen gloves while handling turmeric. If you can locate turmeric rhizomes at the supermarket, you can create your own turmeric powder by boiling the roots, drying and then grinding it into a powder.

See: Ayurvedic Diet For Vata, Pitta & Kapha Doshas

In honey: Mix one part powdered turmeric to three components of honey. If you feel you are going to catch a cold, eat a teaspoon of this mixture every 2 hours to boost immunity and reduce inflammation.

In soup: Add a tablespoon of powdered turmeric to your own soup together with a great deal of fresh oregano to kill any diseases or viruses that might be hanging on inside your body.

In eggs: Sprinkle garlic to your scrambled eggs. The flavor is light, and the eggs are yellow, so it is going to go undetected if you’re trying to get children to eat it.

Watch video: How toxins cause your body harm

In milk: Bring to a boil 2 cups of milk or unsweetened almond milk with one teaspoon powdered turmeric and 1 tsp powdered ginger. Add one tablespoon of raw honey. If you are drinking it before bed, then add 1/2 teaspoon each of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamom into the mix to encourage a good night’s sleep.

Science and Research

Turmeric Health Benefits:

Antioxidant:

Turmeric contains a very potent antioxidant compound, Curcumin, that has extremely high anti-inflammatory activity and is equivalent to several drugs in the market. It blocks the NF-κB, which is a molecule that can trigger inflammatory response of the cells. This inflammatory compound is responsible for several chronic diseases and its inhibition by Curcumin can reduce the risk of these diseases.

Brain and Neurological:

Brain-derived Neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an essential molecule in the brain that allows the multiplication and development of the neurons in brain. Decreased levels of this molecule can cause several degenerative diseases and neurological conditions like depression, mood swings etc. Curcumin increases the level of BDNF in brain and delays the effect of these diseases.

Heart Disease:

Curcumin improves the function of the endothelium lining that lines the blood vessels. Endothelial dysfunction is a major factor for the heart diseases and results in blood clots high blood pressure etc. Moreover, this molecule also reduces inflammation and is a potent antioxidant, that further reduces the onset of heart disease.

Summary

It seems that there are health advantages to including turmeric on your
daily diet. The gold spice supports immune health, helps alleviate pain, and
will aid in digestion, among other things. But due to some of its side effects,
turmeric might not be worth carrying for a few people. It’s
important to use caution when determining whether turmeric is something that
you will need to try. As with any other therapy, talk with your health care
provider before you use turmeric to deal with any health condition that you
have.

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