Top five proven health benefits of turmeric
What's the story
Turmeric, a commonly available ingredient in the Indian kitchen, is a super-food in its own right. It is known to have amazing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Not just that, it is rich in curcumin, a compound that is popular for its miraculous healing abilities. In case that's not motivating enough, here are five (and some more) health benefits of turmeric to get you going.
#1
Taking turmeric regularly helps reduce risk of heart disease
Heart disease is the number one cause of death, on the planet. Naturally, you need to stay clear of factors that could lead to this condition. Notably, chronic inflammation is a major reason behind heart disease. That is why, taking turmeric regularly can help in significantly reducing risk of this ailment. It also helps improve the lining of blood vessels.
#2
It helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels
High cholesterol is caused by oxidative stress, brought on by chronic inflammation and high blood sugar. Thus, turmeric, by reducing inflammation in the body, helps reduce cholesterol levels. One particular study of human volunteers found that taking 500 mg of curcumin daily dropped their total cholesterol by over 11%, while their HDL (good cholesterol) went up by 29% in just a week.
#3
Reduces growth of fat cells, thus aiding in weight loss
Increased levels of stress can lead to weight gain, because when stress hormones (cortisol) get out of whack, fat starts to accumulate near the stomach. Now, since turmeric can effectively balance your stress hormones, it can help keep extra fat from building up around your waist. In fact, several studies have shown that curcumin intake can reduce growth of fat cells.
#4,5
It promotes brain function and improves skin health
Brain function: Curcumin in turmeric has the power to boost a protein in the brain called BDNF, high levels of which are linked with better memory and mood, while low levels may increase risk of Alzheimer's and depression. Skin health: The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities of turmeric make it a great agent against aging. It can reduce risk of many skin-conditions, like acne etc.
Information
Some other top health benefits of turmeric
Apart from these popular health benefits of turmeric, it is also known to balance blood sugar, reduce joint pain, detoxify the body, boost immune system, improve digestion, enhance sleep, and even provide protection against cancer. However, limit your intake to only 500-1,000 mg per day.