Turmeric is a magical herb with thousands of health benefits. It is the top listed ingredient that must be present in your spice cabinet. Indians called it "Golden spice" due to its vivid yellow-orange colour. Curcumin is the active ingredient that gives turmeric immense healing potential. You can explore its medicinal properties by adding turmeric powder to the curry mixture or consuming organic turmeric complex capsules.

So, the superfood "turmeric powder" not only gives your food a pleasing colour, aroma, and delightful taste but also bestows numerous health benefits. People who do not like to add it in the foods due to its intense colour or specific taste can consume turmeric complex capsules that are equally helpful.

Benefits and uses of turmeric

Phytochemicals in turmeric are responsible for the excellent nutritional profile and far-fetched disease-preventing properties of the spice. In different regions like India, the Middle East & Southeast Asia, it's been used to treat breathing problems, reduce swelling, and wound healing for centuries. Lately, advancements in medicine and nutrition have explored turmeric's numerous therapeutic benefits. Following are some health benefits of turmeric you must need to know:

• Rich nutritional profile

A tablespoon of turmeric powder, according to USDA, gives a total of 29 kcal, 0.3 grams of sugar, 2.1 gram of fibre, 0.31 gram of fat, 0.91 gram of protein, and 6. 31 grams of carbohydrates. Moreover, you can have your 16% daily iron need only by taking one tablespoon of turmeric in your diet.

That's mind-blowing. Isn't it?

• Turmeric as a pain reliever

You can use turmeric to minimize the pain in different body parts, primarily knee joint pain. Patients suffering from osteoarthritis can use turmeric powder or organic turmeric complex capsules to relieve joint pain. It improves the function and movement of joints and associated organs.

Curcumin proffers anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help to reduce pain and inflammation. Clinical studies stated that turmeric's anti-inflammatory potential helps lessen the pain and swelling in rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. It also decreases post-operative inflammation. Literature showed that taking turmeric extract three times a day can replace 1200 mg ibuprofen.

Arthritis foundation recommends taking 400 to 600 mg of turmeric complex capsules up to three times a day to reduce inflammation.

• Liver protecting task

Turmeric possesses an antioxidant potential that may prevent body cells from getting damaged by free radicals and toxins. Antioxidants help liver cells to fight against free radicals and other toxins. It could be a relief for patients taking medications for some chronic conditions like diabetes. If used for a prolonged period, drugs and drugs can damage your liver cells.

Furthermore, antioxidants are proven to help reduce future cancer risk. Studies evidenced the preventing effect of turmeric against pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and multiple myeloma.

• Triglyceride lowering effect

If you are using turmeric in your cuisine, it may help reduce triglycerides in your body. Not all fats are good for your body and vice versa. Saturated fats put your body on disease risks like obesity, cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, and other chronic disorders (fatty liver). These hardening lipids may accumulate in your blood vessels and cause a blockage that proves harmful.

Turmeric phytochemicals prevent liver injury against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Turmeric extracts are helpful in this aspect. These may avoid building more fat in hepatocytes.

• Digestive healing agent

Turmeric aids digestion as it assists the digestion of multiple foods. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties play a role in healthy digestion and gut health (reducing gut inflammation and improving gut permeability). The spice is even proved to be helpful in the treatment and management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Turmeric active ingredients try to relieve the severe symptoms that the IBS patient experiences. In addition, turmeric plays preventing role in many health conditions like dyspepsia, gastric ulcer, and ulcerative colitis.

• Turmeric to fight depression and anxiety

Spices and herbs are known for their antidepressant effects due to the secondary metabolites and active ingredients. For example, turmeric has Curcumin as its active agent to fight against depression and anxiety. Research showed that people already taking antidepressants showed a significant decrease in depression symptoms if they use Curcumin by mouth.

Current research studies show the relationship between oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and depression. Curcumin is already preventing oxidative stress and inflammation by fighting the free radicals.

Uses of turmeric in the diet

You can add turmeric to meals in a range of ways. It is available in different forms like:

1. Fresh roots of turmeric

2. Processed powder (curry powder mixtures)

3. Organic turmeric complex capsules (supplement)

If you don't like its intense smell or taste, you can mix it with other herbs and spices like ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, and garlic. These combinations are widely used in soups and chicken or vegetable broth.

For taste, you can take turmeric tea, including honey and milk. Turmeric tea after a meal aids digestion. You can drink turmeric juice by mixing turmeric powder, lemon juice, and water. Furthermore, a pinch of turmeric powder into the rice, barbecue rub, scrambled egg, or omelette gives an esthetic appearance and flavour. Adding turmeric to olive oils is one of the best options as a homemade dressing.

If you are reluctant to add turmeric to your diet, there is another option for you to take powdered-containing capsules, nutrition supplements UK, extracts, fluids, and tinctures. There is a protein extract called "Bromelain" extracted from pineapples. It is used to increase the absorption and effects of turmeric if combined with turmeric products.

Wrap Up!

As a fantastic spice with significant therapeutic effects, turmeric plays a crucial role in boosting your health. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are due to Cucuminoids, active ingredients in turmeric, that help prevent and manage different chronic disorders like cancer, hepatic diseases, diabetes, inflammation, and depression.

You can include turmeric in your cuisine in many ways, including turmeric powder or plant roots. However, taking turmeric complex capsules is another way to intake the ingredient to enjoy the same benefits. Vegans who replaced all animal products with plant-based food items can enjoy the UK's vegan supplements. 

Must Read:- For Taste And Health: What You Need To Know About Turmeric