Turmeric is a spice that is often used for color and flavour in many dishes. Our gravy dishes would not be delicious at all without the turmeric. Turmeric is an orange/yellow-colored spice native to Indonesia and India and is revered for its culinary and therapeutic benefits. Turmeric also provides a tangy and ginger-like fragrance.
Turmeric has long been used in Indian and Chinese pharmacopeia (drug-making). The spice is well known for its strong anti-inflammatory properties, which are used in treating several problems like chest pain, toothache, urinary tract infection, jaundice, menstrual pain, bruises, colic, and hemorrhage. Today, scientists are investigating numerous benefits of turmeric. Turmeric has shown unbelievable promise in the prevention and treatment of cancer.
Turmeric’s active ingredient is an extracted compound known as curcumin or diferuloylmethane. Studies say curcumin helps in preventing several forms of cancer including - breast, stomach, liver, lung, and colon with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It prevents the growth of cancer by interfering with the cellular signaling aspects of the chronic disease.
As per the lab results curcumin helps in:
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Restraining COX-2, an enzyme that causes negative inflammation which generally leads to cancer.
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Stopping vascular epithelial growth to starve cancer cells of their oxygen and fuel source.
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Inducing a tumor suppressor gene.
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Stopping metastasis of cancer cells.
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Kills large cell B-cell lymphoma cells.
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Prevents the re-growth of cancer stem cells.
In a 2011 study conducted by the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, investigators found that the curcumin extract successfully differentiates between the cancer cells and normal cells. They concluded that “Curcumin exerts its biological influence through epigenetic modulation, a process that continues downstream staying one step ahead of adverse genetic influences.”
Curcumin is not well absorbed in the human blood but is engrossed in the colon lining, which gives it an advantage against cancerous tissues in the colon. It can also prevent prostate tumors due to their ability to interfere with the spread of cancer cells and inflammatory reactions that are considered to be the originator of cancer growth. Curcumin has shown great promise in the prevention of cervical cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer death among women in most developing nations.
Here are the incredible benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric is strong and effective against more than cancer cells. Investigators are spellbound by the wide range of conditions it is capable of helping.
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Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties help in managing arthritic conditions. People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis have found relief by consuming turmeric on a regular basis.
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Turmeric helps in regulating blood sugar.
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It also helps in reducing weight. By adding a pinch of turmeric to your daily diet helps increase bile production, which is necessary for the breakdown of dietary fat.
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Turmeric can be used as a natural disinfectant due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. To heal wounds, apply some turmeric powder to the affected area.
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It also prevents Alzheimer’s disease, believed to be caused by uncontrolled inflammation within the brain.
Hence we can say that Turmeric is for ‘more than just gravy’. You can use this incredible space for various things. By adding it to your monthly grocery list, you can enjoy the far-reaching health benefits of turmeric.
