Turmeric is one of the time-tested remedies for a range of health issues. Turmeric benefits are well-known and widely used worldwide to treat various illnesses.
This page will discuss turmeric’s active component, turmeric in food benefits, turmeric or haldi powder benefits, turmeric benefits for men and women, and the benefits of raw haldi.
Turmeric is often called the queen of spices and is widely used in cooking worldwide. It has various anticarcinogenic, antiviral, antimutagenic, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains several healthy nutrients, including dietary fibre, niacin, vitamins E, K, and C, protein, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, copper, and zinc. Due to all these factors, turmeric treats several health issues. There are plenty of health benefits of turmeric; therefore, people worldwide use turmeric for medicinal purposes as well. Turmeric is used in various forms such as raw, powder, and supplement.
Turmeric, also known as Curcuma longa, is an ancient spice popular in Asia and India and dates back to 2000 BC. Turmeric imparts a bright yellow colour to curry dishes and is a natural dyeing agent for clothes. The most important compounds that give turmeric its impressive health benefits are curcuminoids. Studies reveal that curcumin is the main active ingredient of turmeric.
Curcumin benefits – Early studies suggest that curcumin helps improve memory and general brain health. Eating curcumin or curcumin supplements daily in moderate amounts boosts brain chemicals linked with memory and growth. It is also believed that curcumin lowers the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Benefits of raw haldi – Consuming raw haldi (turmeric) helps boost metabolism and manage digestive disorders. The raw form of turmeric also alleviates gas and bloating symptoms.
Here are some turmeric benefits for men, women, and everyone else
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- Prevents cancer
Turmeric helps to keep a range of cancers at bay. Curcumin in turmeric holds good promise in the fight against cancer and is shown to help boost the effects of chemotherapy. Several researchers have found that the presence of active components in turmeric has made it an excellent protector against radiation-induced tumors.
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- Helps relieve arthritis
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that are excellent for treating rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Also, the antioxidant properties of turmeric help destroy free radicals in the body that cause damage to the body cells.
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- Controls diabetes
Turmeric is good for treating diabetes as it helps to moderate insulin levels. It also helps enhance glucose control and improves the effects of medications treating diabetes. Another of the important benefits of turmeric is its ability to help reduce insulin resistance, which can help prevent type-2 diabetes.
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- Decreases cholesterol levels
Several studies have shown that using turmeric as food seasoning can help to reduce cholesterol levels significantly. It is well known that high cholesterol can cause several health ailments. Maintaining proper cholesterol levels can help keep several cardiovascular diseases at bay.
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- Boosts immunity
One of the important benefits of turmeric is that it contains lipopolysaccharide, which is excellent for stimulating the body’s immune system. The antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties of turmeric help strengthen the body’s immune system. On the other hand, a strong immunity can help decrease the chances of coughs, colds, and flu.
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- Heals wounds (one of the common benefits of haldi powder apart from using it for cooking and skin)
Turmeric makes for an effective disinfectant. If you have a burn or a cut, sprinkle some turmeric powder (haldi powder) on the affected areas. This can help to speed up the healing process. Turmeric also works to repair damaged skin and treat inflammatory conditions, including psoriasis.
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- Weight loss
Turmeric can be quite helpful in maintaining the ideal weight. It contains a compound that helps enhance the flow of bile, an essential component in the breakdown of dietary fat. To lose weight, take a teaspoon of turmeric after every meal.
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- Prevent Alzheimer’s disease
Turmeric helps improve the brain’s overall health by helping remove plaque build-up in the brain and enhancing oxygen flow. It can also help to slow down or prevent the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
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- Enhances digestion
Turmeric contains compounds that stimulate the gall bladder to produce bile. This, in turn, helps enhance digestion and decreases symptoms of gas and bloating. Turmeric is also helpful in treating several forms of inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis.
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- Prevents liver disease
Turmeric is a natural liver detoxifier. It also helps to improve and invigorate blood circulation. These factors help enhance good liver health. Curcumin, present in turmeric, has been found to contain anti-inflammatory properties that have been found to work wonders in relieving arthritis and joint pain.
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- Skin
Turmeric for the skin is one of the crucial turmeric benefits. It is an important compound in several skincare products. It works very well to help improve the skin texture.
Given the several turmeric benefits, making this powerful herb a part of your everyday diet can be one of the best things you can do to improve your health.
Turmeric side effects:
While haldi (turmeric) is safe for most people, for few, it can cause rashes, hives, or abdominal pain when they take it in food or drinks. Turmeric is best avoided by people suffering from bile obstruction or gallstones.
