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What is turmeric good for? The question should be, what isn’t turmeric good for? The golden yellow goodness is indeed golden and good for ailments and beauty hacks.1
Did you know that a face pack of turmeric paste and raw honey could fight acne and give you clear, bright, and smooth skin?
Therefore, it is no surprise that turmeric is used in an essential bridal event in India, popularly known as “haldi”.
Commonly known as “haldi” in India, turmeric is a bright yellow rhizomatous perennial plant originating from the ginger family, Zingiberaceae.
Without getting too technically accurate, let’s explore the 15 health benefits of turmeric in this article below!
1. 15 Health Benefits of Turmeric
1.1. Improves Digestion
In the field of Ayurveda, turmeric is used to improve the digestive system for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Even Western society studies the benefits of turmeric in helping gut health. Having turmeric water early in the morning can aid in digestive problems2.
1.2. It Gets Rid of Acne
The curcumin content in turmeric helps prevent acne and reduces inflammation. Mixing sandalwood and turmeric powder in a 1:1 ratio with water to make a face pack can be a quick and effective home remedy. However, this solution should not be considered professional advice; only consulting a doctor should be trusted as entirely credible.
1.3. Purifies the Blood
Curcumin in turmeric produces detoxifying enzymes, which help in cleansing the blood. Turmeric acts as a natural antioxidant with the ability to ensure proper blood circulation.
1.4. Promotes Heart Health
Research has proved that curcumin present in turmeric improves cardiac function by maintaining the functioning of the heart vessels. It also helps patients with exercise intolerance.
1.5. Strengthens the Immune System
As a potent immunomodulatory agent, curcumin present in turmeric regulates the invigoration of B cells, neutrophils, a type of white blood cells called T cells, and NK cells. Overall, turmeric or haldi strengthens the armies or immunity that protect and defend your body.
1.6. Helps to Manage Pain
People with osteoarthritis can benefit from turmeric and its anti-inflammatory properties. Not only does it ease and soothe the pain, but it also enables better movement of your limbs.
1.7. Boosts Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Consuming turmeric leads to a cognitive boost by raising the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF. This helps improve learning capacity and gives students a stronger ability to memorize and recollect.
1.8. Helps Loose Weight
Curcumin subdues fat tissue growth and helps prevent insulin resistance by adjusting sugar levels in your body. Turmeric also activates and revives metabolism. Ultimately, 3 grams of turmeric paste or powder will help you lose weight so your body can be more healthy and agile.
1.9. Gives you Glowing Skin
Have problems with dull skin, dark spots, and dryness? Just apply some turmeric and honey paste on your face. A remedy passed down by your cool grandmas and grandaunts, turmeric is the magical secret behind healthy, glowing skin naturally!
Packed with antioxidants(neutralizes free radicals, which can result in serious cellular damage in the body) and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is amazing for your skin.
1.10. Is a Natural Food Colouring
Haldi or turmeric stains are common knowledge in every Indian household. Your mother or grandmother would probably show their yellowish fingers to answer your question.
However, the vibrant yellowish-golden colour (an indicator of the presence of curcumin) adds to the colour of the dishes. From curries to pickles to fries, Indian dishes mostly contain turmeric or haldi as a primary ingredient.
Next time you go to the kitchen, check it out if you haven’t already. If it stains, endure it and admire it.
1.11. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
From redness to swelling to pain, turmeric soothes it all due to its amazing anti-inflammatory properties. As a natural anti-inflammatory drug, curcumin helps to ease pain. It also inhibits platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF).
1.12. Helps in the Prevention of Cancer
By reducing metastasis(spread of cancer cells), turmeric helps prevent cancer. It helps in modulating the development of cancer. Click here to read more.
1.13. Improves Liver Function
The harm caused by toxins in your liver can be countered by the antioxidants present in turmeric. It can also aid in helping with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which manifests as obesity.
1.14. Helps in the Reduction of Cholesterol
By reducing oxidative stress(caused by an imbalance in the production and collection of O2 or Oxygen), turmeric ensures that the possibility of high cholesterol in your body is lowered. It also lowers LDL (bad cholesterol). This improves your heart, brain, and overall health.
1.15. Relief From Colds, Allergies, and Such
The anti-allergic characteristics of turmeric help to reduce the impact of colds, allergies, and such. Not only does it make your immune system more resilient but is also soothes internal and external inflammation3 when consumed.
2. How to Consume Organic Turmeric?
- Turmeric tea possesses an earthy taste. With its ability to boost your immunity and improve your health, turmeric tea can be your choice of beverage. In case you prefer more flavors, you can go for numerous types of blends sold in the market, like Turmeric Ginger Mate, Yogi Herbal Supplement Turmeric Tea, and more! You can also brew your own turmeric tea with turmeric powder, cinnamon, milk, honey, and black pepper. Ginger, lemon, maple syrup, and so on can be added if you wish to have more flavor.
- Add a tablespoon of turmeric to a glass of milk and have it with kesar-pista.
- The most common way to use turmeric is to add it to dishes while cooking. This method is convenient and delicious and adds nutritional value to meals.
- Raw turmeric can also be added to pickles.
- Adding a tablespoon of turmeric powder into a glass of water is a simple way to have turmeric.
3. Final Words
It is important to note that natural organic turmeric is more effective than store-bought packaged turmeric powder. Packaged turmeric powder is usually processed and contains preservatives, which degrade its original value and quality. Thus, always use organic and 100% natural turmeric for the best and most impactful results.
It is an all-rounder and all-in-one magical goodness. Keep it spicy and golden.
- Reagle, Joseph. “Hacking Health.” Hacking Life (2019). ↩︎
- Clarke, Lane L., Malcolm C. Roberts, and Robert A. Argenzio. “Feeding and digestive problems in horses: physiologic responses to a concentrated meal.” Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice 6.2 (1990): 433-450. ↩︎
- Vodovotz, Yoram, and Gary An. “Systems biology and inflammation.” Systems biology in drug discovery and development: methods and protocols (2010): 181-201. ↩︎
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology
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Definitely, turmeric is a powerhouse of numerous benefits and are a natural skincare remedy for our skin also, my grandmother and mother always used turmeric as their beautiful products and the results are evident till date for me.
Yes absolutely correct. great article, because i am a Bharatiya so i know the value, and nutritional facts about turmeric. Thats why i loved this article, turmeric is a great antioxident and anti-bacterial. So, everybody should use it.
Due to it’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, from skincare to treat injuries Turmeric has so many benefits. Your article have given a adequate overview of the benefits of Turmeric.
The mention of exploring the growth of the global curcumin market suggests an acknowledgment of turmeric’s popularity and demand on a global scale. This also reflects the increasing awareness of the health benefits associated with curcumin, the active compound in turmeric.