Turmeric has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. Today, scientists continue to study its potential uses. Here are six health benefits Turmeric has to offer.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
One of the main reasons why people use turmeric is because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is an immune response that occurs when tissue is damaged by injury or infection. This process helps protect our bodies against foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. However, inflammation can also cause damage to healthy cells.
Antioxidant Properties
Turmeric has been shown to help reduce oxidative stress, which is linked to cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and other inflammatory disorders. Oxidative stress refers to the damaging effects caused by free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that contain one or more unpaired electrons. They are produced naturally during normal metabolism and cell division. However, excessive amounts of free radicals can lead to cellular damage.
Helps Fight Cancer
Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant compound that helps prevent inflammation and oxidative stress. Studies show that curcumin also reduces the growth of tumor cells. In addition, curcumin has been found to inhibit the production of enzymes that cause DNA damage. This means that it protects against cancer.
May Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
According to research published in the journal Neurology, people who consumed at least 1 gram of curcumin per day had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than those who did not consume any curcumin.
May Help Lower Cholesterol Levels
There is some evidence that curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties. This means that it might help reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is linked to several diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease.
For Skin Health
Due to the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Turmeric is effective as a topical treatment for acne, eczema, and photoaging.
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