Turmeric, also known as saffron of the Indies, has been a valued super-food in India and China for ages now, due to its several medicinal virtues. It was traditionally used as a food additive to treat digestive disorders, to relieve skin or inflammatory diseases and to regulate menstrual disorders. Additionally because of its culinary flavor, it serves as an ally on many other levels, especially as a food preservative, as a natural dye due to curcumin (the pigment which gives it its yellow color), and as a cosmetic tool for its beneficial effect on the skin. In India, turmeric is a spice consumed daily in local cuisine and is essential in Indian curry!
Turmeric is the key ingredient in golden milk, a remedy made of coconut milk (or other vegetable milk), turmeric, ginger and black pepper. It is a real treat for the taste buds, and also provides a state of well-being for the body, thanks to curcumin which is responsible for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Antioxidant benefits
Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant which helps protect human cells and prevents the aging of tissues. To this end, a study published in the medical journal The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry came to the conclusion that enriching the diet with curcumin would help improve the cognitive performance of people with memory disorders.
The consumption of turmeric would also have benefits against the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The protective action it provides assists in improving mood, due to its ability to reduce inflammation in the brain.
Anti-inflammatory benefits
Additionally, turmeric performs anti-inflammatory activities throughout the body. It reduces inflammation and muscle pain, such as osteoarthritis and arthritis.
It also has a role to play in protecting the body against inflammatory bowel diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease. The aromatic component of turmeric is compared to cortisone for its anti-inflammatory power.
Promotes digestion
Turmeric is a digestive stimulant. The World Health Organization recognizes that it helps improve biliary function. Thus, it reduces digestive disorders, such as upset stomach, nausea, loss of appetite and bloating.
By encouraging the digestive process, turmeric can provide comfort to unwanted stomach pains! In addition, by facilitating digestion, turmeric helps fight dermatological problems such as eczema, acne and psoriasis and assists in the development of healthy and radiant skin.
Strength in unity!
Black pepper and turmeric powder complement each other in a meal. Piperine (a pepper compound) increases the assimilation of curcumin.
Also, the curcumin is better absorbed when turmeric is eaten fresh. Be careful, it does stain your fingers!
This amazing super-food is found in our Bright Side smoothie. Bursting with vitality, all its benefits will simplify your life. Enjoy!
By Pamela Champagne
References: