Turmeric is one of the healthiest spices in the world. It naturally provides an array of potential health benefits, some of them crucial for certain health needs. Here, we take a look at why turmeric is so healthy, and then look at the top three most effective long-term health benefits of supplementing with turmeric.
Why Is Turmeric So Healthy?
Turmeric is a spice that is vivid in color and taste, and it is generous in its health-sustaining properties. It is naturally derived from the rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant, which is a ginger-akin plant that grows in warm climates around the world. The taste and appearance of turmeric cause it to stand out, and these two factors also testify to its powerful benefits to human health.
The usage of turmeric has flourished in both cooking and medicinal traditions of India and China. Its historic remedial usage has been applied toward digestive problems, issues upon the skin, joint pain relief, and much more. The health applications of turmeric have secured its efficacy and widespread use in modern natural medicine, especially by way of supplementation.
So, why is turmeric so healthy? It largely comes down to the occurrence of a single natural ingredient within turmeric: curcumin. Curcumin is a compound classified as a polyphenol, and it has prominent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The colorful nature of turmeric is like that of ginger and other super-healthy spices; It has so many positive biological interactions that it is not fully understood, even after much scientific study. It is the particular benefits of turmeric that have become clear to many people with many health needs.
A turmeric supplement is the best way to consume this spice, with its primary active ingredient, because many turmeric supplements have been standardized to 95% curcumin, whereas the natural percentage is only less than 10%!
The Top 3 Long-Term Benefits of Taking Turmeric
Turmeric (and its active ingredient curcumin) has been used and reported to be effective for many health uses. Here we take a quick but pointed look at three of the most important benefits you could accrue from supplementing with a concentrated amount of this powerful spice:
Reducing inflammation is a primary reason that someone would supplement with turmeric. This reduces the risk of multiple serious health conditions and also has a wide array of applications across the health spectrum. Supplementing with turmeric can reduce bodily inflammation, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease, which is a major benefit. Reducing bodily inflammation also reduces the risk of metabolic syndrome and other negative long-term health conditions. Turmeric effectively reduces inflammation by blocking the work of specific inflammatory molecules. Its benefits for long-term health can’t be overstated.
Reducing oxidative damage is another prominent, long-term benefit of taking turmeric. Just like inflammation, the release of free radicals throughout the body is a main physiological contributor to disease. The chemical structure of curcumin is effective at neutralizing free radicals in their tracks, thereby inhibiting the amount of cellular damage they can do. The antioxidant properties of turmeric can reduce the effects of aging and prevent long-term disease.
Mood and memory: Turmeric’s benefits do not extend to just the body, but also to the brain. Curcumin has properties that can support both a positive mood and a functioning memory. This is because curcumin contributes to the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a natural chemical that supports the growth of new brain cells. Healthy levels of BDNF are believed to help reduce age-related memory loss. The benefits to mood and memory have been supported by scientific research and are shown to be worthwhile for aging men and women.
If you want a natural supplement to benefit your own long-term health, or the long-term health of an aging individual you care about, then get a turmeric supplement into your hands. It combats inflammation and oxidative stress, and supports mood and memory. Remember to always consult your healthcare provider first before taking a supplement for the first time.