Turmeric is a spice that has been used for centuries in cooking, being a key ingredient within curries but in recent years this spice has been in the headlines for its major health benefits. One of the key components that make this spice jam-packed with health benefits is curcumin.
Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that also helps fight free radical damage (damage to the cells and DNA). Turmeric has been said to prevent progression of some major diseases such as Arthritis, protects against Alzheimer's and has been suggested to have anti-cancer properties.
I hear you ask, so why not take just Curcumin, why take Turmeric? Studies have shown that Curcumin is a powerful ingredient within Turmeric but it is not the only ingredient that works its magic within the body. Turmeric is made up of many different elements to make it a powerful and beneficial plant and has been shown in studies even when Curcumin has been removed from Turmeric is still positively impacts the body.
The reason this is used in a vast amount of diseases is due to its anti-inflammatory benefit. It is thought to reduce the pain that comes from inflammation within the body in particular in arthritis patients where joints can become sore and tender. This does not just apply to arthritic patients, my body and gut at their worst were very inflamed therefore I have always eaten a daily dose of Tumeric to help fight the inflammation and continue to do so daily.
Too much of anything can end up being bad for you right? And this goes without saying with Turmeric. Typically anything from 500mg - 2000mg a day would be suitable but I would always consult your dietician or doctor before making any changes to your diet and about the appropriate serving for your needs.
You can now buy turmeric in all forms, I have always believed there is nothing more powerful than getting it from the source, so I buy it in a pure powder form that you can buy from any mainstream supermarket. It is also available in capsules to buy in health food shops for more convenience. I tend to sprinkle my Turmeric powder over all sorts of foods when cooking, anything from meat, fish, vegetables, smoothies or can even be added to dressings.
Do you eat Turmeric? What are your experiences of it and how do you get your daily dose? Please sign up for an account to Gut Chat and let me know what your thoughts are on Turmeric. I would love to hear your feedback!
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