What are the Health Benefits of Curcumin?

Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, the species that gives curry its yellow color, has been widely studied for its numerous health benefits. In this article, we will explore the health benefits of curcumin and how it can improve your well-being.

Turmeric is a root that grows in the form of a rhizome, from the ginger family, which has been used in India for thousands of years as a highly appreciated species in cooking and as a medicinal herb. It has strong anti-inflammatory effects and is a very powerful antioxidant.

Recently, its use has become very popular in Western culture, mainly as a supplement. Let’s look below at a little history of turmeric, and let´s find what are the health benefits of curcumin.

Turmeric the Queen of the Species

Turmeric has occupied the shelves of all Indian cuisines in India for over 5,000 years and is considered the Queen of Species. It is used daily in cooking and is the main base for curry, and the reason for its yellow color.

Aside from its use in cooking, it is also used as a beauty aid and as a dye.

Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, the same family to which ginger belongs, and is a small plant that grows in tropical regions.

The root of turmeric grows in the form of a rhizome and is intense yellow, which is given by compounds called curcuminoids, of which the most important is curcumin.

Turmeric has a spicy, warm, and bitter taste with a fragrance slightly reminiscent of orange and ginger.

Turmeric in Ancient Medicine

Ayurveda, the ancient medical science that originated in India more than 3,000 years ago, is based on the principle of disease prevention. The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words Ayur (life) and Veda (science or knowledge). Thus, Ayurveda translates into the knowledge of life.

Ayurveda directs us to resist disease through our eating habits and lifestyles. The same principle that was also emphasized by Hippocrates: that your food be your medicine was his advice to humanity.

Ayurveda has immensely praised the medicinal qualities of turmeric, which finds its place in almost all Ayurvedic preparations related to liver and skin disorders.

The rhizomes or roots of this plant are used as medicine and for other purposes. The rhizomes are boiled, dried, and then sprayed. This powder is used for all purposes.

Curcumin, the active chemical component of turmeric is a strong antioxidant and reduces inflammation by reducing histamine levels. Curcumin protects the liver, purifies the blood, enhances skin complexion, lowers cholesterol, and prevents internal blood clotting, preventing heart attacks and liver tissue damage.

In recent years, interest in turmeric and its medicinal properties has increased. Let’s know more about this spice well-known in Ayurveda but that the common man does not know completely.

Health Benefits of Curcumin: Discover the Power of This Natural Compound.

Turmeric is a food with a long list of benefits for our health. The curcuminoids it contains, particularly curcumin, give it an exclusive place among superfoods with medicinal benefits. Let’s look at 12 of the main health benefits of Curcumin.

Turmeric is a natural Anti-Inflammatory

Inflammation is a natural response of the body to infections and tissue damage and is a result of the healing process.

But when inflammation becomes chronic in response to a chemical or cellular imbalance in the body, or prolonged injury, it can play a major role in damage to the heart, brain, joints, and more.

Curcumin shows powerful anti-inflammatory properties, being an inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa beta, a protein that activates inflammation in cells. Therefore, curcumin inhibits inflammation at the molecular level.

Turmeric is a powerful Antioxidant

Free radicals in our body are a normal result of our metabolism. However, air pollution, tobacco smoke, fried or contaminated food, and pesticides, among others, can cause an excess of oxidizing free radicals that can cause damage to our cells and DNA.

Antioxidants are a natural antidote to free radicals. They are produced by our body, and they are also found in fruits and vegetables, and they are one reason why people who eat more fruits and vegetables have a longer and healthier life expectancy.

Evidence suggests that curcumin is one of the best antioxidants out there. In addition, some studies suggest it can block the action of free radicals and can stimulate the action of other antioxidants present in our bodies.

Turmeric Supports Brain Function

A key component for brain health is a type of protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which plays an important role in the regeneration of nerve cells.

Some studies have shown that curcumin can increase the brain’s BDNF levels, which means that turmeric has great potential to support healthy brain function.

BDNF levels have also been found to be significantly lower in people with Alzheimer’s and depression, so curcumin is considered to help prevent these diseases.

Turmeric may Protect Heart Health

Studies show that curcumin improves the function of the endothelium, the lining of our blood vessels. Considering that endothelium dysfunction affects blood pressure, blood clotting, and among other conditions, means that turmeric can reduce the risks of heart disease.

Turmeric also supports heart health through antioxidant action and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Turmeric helps in Liver Detoxification

Our liver is the most important organ in our body’s detoxification process by acting as a filter to remove toxic substances.

Due to a large number of toxins in the environment, pesticides, processed foods, and heavy metals, our livers work excessively and non-stop. For this reason, it is important to help you detoxify with superfoods like turmeric.

Curcumin stimulates the gallbladder to produce bile. Since the liver uses bile to remove toxins, turmeric indirectly helps our body get rid of toxins.

Turmeric is an aid to the Digestive System

Fat is an essential part of a good diet if they are healthy fats. That means they are fats from foods full of essential fatty acids such as avocados, nuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds, among others.

However, most diets are full of harmful fats, such as refined cooking oils such as canola, corn oil, or soy, which are inflammatory to our bodies.

An excess of harmful fats exerts an overload on the digestive system, which can lead to nausea, gas, bloating, and more.

Our body needs bile to process this fat, and as we saw earlier that turmeric stimulates the production of bile in the body, so it promotes better fat processing.

Turmeric is an aid against Arthritis

Arthritis is a very common problem in Western countries. Most joint discomfort involves chronic inflammation. Due to its natural anti-inflammatory ability, turmeric provides effective relief against the discomfort of arthritis.

Some studies in people with rheumatoid arthritis showed that curcumin may have superior results compared to anti-inflammatory drugs.

Turmeric shows benefits against Depression

According to some studies, curcumin is as effective at relieving symptoms of depression as some of the most popular antidepressants.

Depression is also linked to reduced levels of BDNF and a shrunken hippocampus, an area of the brain that plays a role in learning and memory. Curcumin can help increase BDNF levels and could reverse some of these negative states.

Turmeric is an aid against Prediabetes

People with elevated blood glucose levels have an increased risk of developing diabetes. Curcumin has shown a remarkable potential to prevent the development of diabetes in this group of people.

Research also shows that a curcumin treatment improves the overall function of β cells, with very minor adverse effects. Therefore, curcumin intervention in a prediabetic population may prove beneficial.

Turmeric provides Anti-Aging Support

Since oxidation and inflammation play an important role in the aging of our body, curcumin can have effects that go far beyond simple disease prevention, given its great anti-inflammatory and antioxidant power.

For this reason, people often turn to turmeric supplements to fight the effects of aging brought on by free radicals.

Turmeric may help Prevent Cancer

Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. Curcumin has been studied as a beneficial herb in the treatment of cancer and has been found to help fight its growth and development.

Some studies have shown that curcumin can contribute to the death of cancer cells, reduce angiogenesis (angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels in tumors), and reduce the metastasis (spread of cancer).

Turmeric and its Benefits for the Skin

Turmeric has also been used for many years for the treatment of skin conditions, and as a product for body beauty.

Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components provide radiance to the skin, reviving its natural glow.

Curcumin can also help heal skin wounds by decreasing inflammation and oxidation. It also improves your body’s response to skin wounds. This causes wounds to heal more quickly.

Some studies have shown that turmeric can positively affect the skin’s tissue and collagen, helping to reduce conditions such as acne and scars.

Conclusion

Turmeric offers so many benefits that it is almost miraculous. Its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make it a healing hero. We can use turmeric to fight arthritis, and heart disease,  support brain function, and improve the functioning of our liver. It also protects our skin from wounds and acne problems and returns it to its natural shine.

Turmeric is available as a whole root, spice, or in supplements, beauty, and dermatology products.

Turmeric is very safe. But special precautions should be taken in people who have gallstones, hyperacidity, stomach ulcers, and obstructive jaundice. Consult your doctor or specialist of your choice if you have doubts regarding its consumption.