Did you know that turmeric stimulates brain function and can cure cancer?
Haldi or turmeric is an essential spice in an Indian kitchen.
Not only does this add flavour and colour to food, turmeric also has a number of antiseptic and antibacterial properties which makes it good for your health.
Here are some of the ways seasoning your food with turmeric can boost your health.
It has anti-inflammatory properties
Turmeric fights inflammation at a molecular level. This helps it to fight against infections and also helps in repairing the damage caused by them.
The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric are said to be so efficient as to match some of the anti-inflammatory drugs available today.
Turmeric is an antioxidant
The antioxidant properties of turmeric help fight free radicals and boost production of the body's own antioxidant enzymes.
This helps fight against many diseases and also helps in slowing down the pace of ageing.
It improves brain function
Turmeric increases the brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This is a growth hormone in the brain that is responsible for multiplication of neurones in the brain and helps in forming new connections between neurons.
Clinical studies have shown how this can be a factor in improving our memory.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is also linked to brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and depression.
Hence by increasing the levels of this hormone, turmeric helps prevent brain diseases like this as well as other age related problems like memory loss, etc.
It lowers the risk of heart disease
Along with its antioxidant properties, turmeric also improves the functioning of the endothelium or lining of the blood vessels.
This helps regulate blood pressure and blood clotting and can thus help prevent a number of cardiovascular diseases conditions like strokes and heart attacks.
Turmeric can prevent cancer
Turmeric can help reduce the growth of new blood cells in tumours and the spread of cancer cells through the body.
It also contributes towards killing cancerous cells. Some studies also say that turmeric can help prevent some types of cancer such as cancer of the digestive tract from occurring.
It can help treat arthritis
Inflammation of the joints is one of the main characteristics of arthritis. Hence, its anti-inflammatory properties make turmeric helpful in treating arthritis.
Turmeric is also said to help relieve the pain caused by this disease.
It helps control diabetes
Turmeric can help moderate insulin levels and increases the effectiveness of the diabetic medication.
It can also help reduce insulin resistance and hence prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.
When combined with medication turmeric also has the capability of lowering blood sugar levels.
Lead image: Kind courtesy Lybrate
