Turmeric

💛Turmeric💛

What is it and what are the benefits of including it in your diet?

Often used in Indian cuisine, this spice is also used for a wide range of medicinal and culinary uses. The key ingredient in Turmeric is Curcumin which can help aid many benefits to your health, including the fact that it has powerful anti inflammatory effects. Remember though, there isn't a magic pill for anything so including a Turmeric supplement in your diet means exactly that....it should be taken to supplement a healthy diet & lifestyle to reap the benefits!

So what are the benefits?

Anti-inflammatory relief- A major health concern for many, especially the elderly and those taking part in sport, muscles & joints can become inflamed as a result of overuse, under use & old age. When swelling & inflammation occurs, many people turn to the help of synthetic drugs BUT Turmeric has been found to be one of the most effective natural remedies when used topically by applying in ointment form to provide immediate relief or by consuming in supplement/drink form in your diet to provide permanent relief.

Antioxidant- One of the most effective forms of antioxidant, it helps your body to fight against free radicals & oxidative stress. Due to the chemical make up of Turmeric, it effectively blocks free radicals from having an effect on your body as well as providing a boost to the body's antioxidant mechanisms.

Helps Fight Depression- Recent research has found that depression occurs due to an imbalance between Serotonin (The "happy" chemical due to it's contribution to the feeling of happiness & wellbeing) & Dopamine (A hormone & neurotransmitter which helps regulate movement, attention, learning & emotional response). In studies, Turmeric has been shown to be as effective, if not more than Prozac, a popular anti depressant drug.

Aid Digestion- In order for your Digestive System to work effectively, there are many processes that need to work together. Fibre, Micronutrients, Antioxidants & Anti-inflammatory agents are all needed to allow your body to produce the enzymes & motions needed for the processing of the food you eat. The nutrients needed can be provided by eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats but this isn't practical for all people (allergies/intolerances/dietary preferences) & the diets of many are high in saturated fats, processed foods etc and low in nutrient rich foods. Turmeric, or more specifically, curcumin, can give your body a boost of the different vitamins it needs to properly digest food. It can also be a useful remedy for issues such as IBS.