HEALTH BENEFITS OF TURMERIC

Turmeric is a popular spice for cooking, but it has a long history of medicinal uses, too. It provides a wide variety of benefits. Once you know about these benefits you’ll be Eagar to add the spice to your diet.

 

1. Helps to prevent cancer

There are also indications that it may help to prevent breast, skin and pancreatic cancer, childhood leukaemia and multiple myeloma.

2. Reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes

Curcumin also has a positive effect on cholesterol; it may help lower cholesterol and prevent the build-up of LDL ("bad" cholesterol) in the blood vessels. It could therefore stop the build-up of plaque (atherosclerosis) that can block arteries and cause heart attacks and strokes.

3. Combats inflammatory diseases

Turmeric's natural anti-inflammatory qualities mean it may work as well as some anti-inflammatory medications, without the side effects. It may help with inflammation of the eye (uveitis), inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis) and multiple sclerosis.

4. Fights colds and flu

Turmeric may help reduce the severity of bacterial and viral infections.

5. Helps indigestion and weight loss

Curcumin stimulates the gallbladder and produces bile. Because bile helps digest fat, this improves digestion and may help control weight. It treats indigestion, reducing symptoms of bloating and gas.

6. Assists diabetes sufferers

Turmeric may improve glucose control or insulin activity. If you add turmeric to your diet when combined with diabetes medication, it may cause levels to drop too low, resulting in hypoglycemia.

7. Other uses

·       Speeds up wound healing and assist in remodeling of damaged skin.

·       Help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

·       Is a natural painkiller.

·       Aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.

How do I take it?

Preparation Methods & Dosage: 4 add black pepper or dried ginger to help activate turmeric. Turmeric can be applied topically to a painful joint or swelling as a poultice to relieve pain.

·   We can add fresh turmeric in smoothie every morning.

·   We can also add it to eggs in the morning. But unlike the powdered kind, add fresh grated turmeric towards the end of dishes so it won’t burn and also to preserve its flavor.

·   We can mix grated turmeric to salads.

·   We can also throw grated turmeric root in our marinates.

·   Like ginger, if you squeeze peeled and grated root in a garlic press you get a nice (orange) juice out of it. You can do a million things with this- add to soups, rice dishes, salad dressings, etc.

·   For a healthy snack you can grate it into plain yogurt, with vanilla and a little honey, maybe some grated carrot too.

·   You can add grated turmeric root to boiled milk.

·   Turmeric pickle can be used along with meals.

·    It tastes good with chopped in a potato or egg salad, or cut in fat slices and substituted for carrots in a soup.