You’d probably be able to place turmeric if we told you it was the stuff in curry powder that makes it yellow, but turmeric in its raw form is a root that looks fairly similar to ginger. The root has a ton of health benefits and deserves to be incorporated in your life way more than solely in the form of a miscellaneous golden powder. Here are just some of the reasons you should be eating more turmeric.
Turmeric is so good for reducing inflammation that it can be just as effective as actual anti-inflammatory medicine.
You read that right. The root is very high in a chemical called “curcumin,” which is a natural anti-inflammatory. While certain low and short-term levels of inflammation are natural for the body, long-term inflammation is really bad for your body tissue. Studies have shown that turmeric can sometimes be just as effective as your run-of-the-mill anti-inflammatory, so it’s time to throw away the Ibuprofen and stock up on turmeric. Try this tea on for size. .
turmeric is loaded with antioxidants
If you’ve ever fallen victim to the many trendy beverages on the shelves marketed as having tons of antioxidants (we’re looking at you, Bai), then you know antioxidants protect the body from free radicals. These little buggers can be pretty harmful to the body. Luckily, turmeric is a pretty potent antioxidant. Try incorporating it into your next snack. We promise it’s not that hard. Just take a look at this turmeric popcorn.
Turmeric is known to improve brain function
If you’re feeling a little sluggish mentally and all those Lumosity games aren’t working for you, turn to turmeric. Curcumin, which we mentioned earlier, has been found to increase levels of this thing in your brain called BDNF, which stands for Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor. Basically, BDNF is a type of growth hormone that lives in the brain and contributes to healthy brain function. Some people even think this aspect of turmeric can improve your memory, or even combat several genetic or age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s. Adding turmeric to your diet is much easier than you think. Just throw some turmeric in the pot the next time you make rice. Your brain will thank you.
Turmeric is a natural way to keep your brain happy
Certain studies have shown that turmeric can even improve your mood, and protect against depression. This has to do with that BDNF stuff we mentioned earlier. Depression is oftentimes linked to a shortage of BDNF, which as you know affects brain health. Since turmeric boosts BDNF, it can contribute to a healthy, happy brain.
Some people think turmeric can even help prevent cancer
Obviously, cancer is it’s own demon and there isn’t 100% proof that turmeric can cure it at all, but integrating turmeric into your diet definitely can’t hurt. There are a few reasons scientists think this way. First of all, the antioxidant boost found in turmeric protects the cells in your body from free radicals. These free radicals can be pretty harmful to the point where they have the ability to attack your DNA. So by boosting the antioxidants and nipping those free radicals in the bud, ideally there will be less room for that DNA to be mutated into cancer cells. Next time you’re fixing up a midnight milkshake, throw in some turmeric. We promise your milkshake will still taste like a milkshake.
Turmeric can help you undo the damage you did to your liver last weekend
Don’t tell PETA, but we have rats to thank for this discovery. There is a study that had one set of rats consuming turmeric, and the other was exposed to the control drug. The rats that were fed turmeric had increased levels of two essential liver detox enzymes. Honestly we’re not entirely sure how to pronounce these so we’ll leave it to the scientists, but we do know this is good. If you had a particularly exciting weekend, whip up a batch of this turmeric drank. You’ll be good as new by Monday.
Turmeric can lower your risk of heart disease
Alright, we’re about to get scientific with you again. So that curcumin stuff is really good, can’t you tell? In this case, we’re talking about it because curcumin is known to positively affect the endothelium, which is a fancy term for the lining of your blood vessels. Heart disease is highly driven by a dysfunctional endothelium, therefore, by making it better suited to do it’s thang like regulate your blood pressure and help with clotting, your risk of heart disease can be significantly decreased. If you have a sweet tooth, you really need to whip up this turmeric-filled dessert. Just look at it.
Turmeric can tame heartburn and an upset stomach
Similar to it’s cousin ginger, turmeric works wonders against heartburn. It’s also pretty good at relieving any distress you might be feeling in your tum tum. Next time you eat Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, boil some hot water and throw in some chopped turmeric. The hot water will release the flavors of turmeric and you’ll have yourself a nice, makeshift tea. You’ll be pain-free before you know it.
