What is turmeric, main properties and contraindications

Domestic consumers know turmeric as a spice that gives food a characteristic aroma of curry and an attractive color, which goes from dark gold to orange.

The housewives use it as a seasoning to aromatize dishes of any hue and aroma, and do not know the benefits it can contribute to the human being, officially called curcumin in the scientific world.

And that’s all: what do we don’t know about turmeric?

A substance with a long history, turmeric, the benefits and losses it can contribute, and how to take it without harming health is the issue of this review.

Scientists have discovered that ethnomedicine recipes are not only fantasies of town healers, and that curcumin acts actually ant i-inflammatory, antioxidant (and much more) properties.

The benefits of orange dust

Knowing what turmeric is good for the body and how to consume it correctly so as not to harm, it will obtain many benefits of this millenary product, which has accompanied the human being for several millennia.

The brilliant dispersion of dust turmeric contains:

  • Several vitamins of group B in large quantities. They are responsible for guaranteeing the functioning of nerve fibers and vascular health. In addition, B vitamins influence the stable functioning of internal organs and metabolism;
  • Micronutrients – Zn, Fe, Mg, which activate the hematopoietic function and stable functioning of enzymatic systems;
  • Macronutrients – K, P, CA – Your task is to strengthen bones, healthy muscle tone and cardiovascular system;
  • A large number of really useful fatty acids that are used in some supplements for athletes and to improve health in general.

Turmeric has antioxidant and ant i-inflammatory properties; They continue to explore their mechanisms of action and their possible therapeutic use against various pathological conditions.

Useful therapeutic properties

A complete list of the medicinal properties of the product would take a long time, let’s describe the main registered by scientists.

Curcumin blocks the activation of cell mechanisms involved in the beginning of inflammatory processes. Its effectiveness is comparable to that of corticosteroid therapy, which is currently the only standard treatment available for a series of conditions, and its absence of side effects is the greatest advantage of this substance over corticosteroids.

Curcumin’s prophylactic and therapeutic properties are believed to be due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Since the oxidation of membrane lipids and oxidative damage to DNA and proteins are considered to be related to a number of chronic pathological complications, including cancer, atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases, modern scientists believe that yellow turmeric playsa vital role in the fight against these diseases.

For inflammation and cancer

Inflammation is closely linked to the development of cancer, so the efficacy of turmeric, which has potent anti-inflammatory potential, in a series of chemopreventive measures aimed at preventing carcinogenesis and other types of cancer, continues to be investigated.

Elevated cortisol levels can weaken the immune system, and some studies show that curcumin can lower them. Excessive pro-inflammatory activity of immune cells can lead to a number of suboptimal health outcomes; however, research shows that curcumin may help regulate an overactive immune system.

In joint diseases

Bioanalysts estimate that curcumin makes up 3-5% of total turmeric powder. To relieve arthritis pain, it may be necessary to consume more turmeric than a person would consume in a normal diet, so advocates of the therapeutic use of the substance recommend using special dietary supplements that contain other chemicals in addition to curcumin (diferuloylmethane) that are also found in natural turmeric: demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Scientists believe that each of these compounds, collectively called curcuminoids, have anti-inflammatory properties. It is suggested to take a turmeric-based joint treatment supplement containing 95% curcuminoids in an amount of 200 to 1, 000 mg daily in the course of treatment or prevention.

in diabetes

Curcumin reduces blood glucose levels by increasing insulin levels and protects against diabetes. According to studies carried out by international scientists, the consumption of a gram of curcumin per day for a month can reduce harmful cholesterol levels. In addition, it helps control some of the main parameters associated with metabolic syndrome and thus reduces the risk of heart disease. The pepper, or one of the main chemical components of the pepper, the piperine, is included in some curcumin supplements. Many experts believe that pepper favors the absorption of curcumin. In addition, as an antioxidant, the substance levels inflammatory processes in fatty, pancreatic and muscle cells.

A study validated by an editorial and published in the European Journal of Nutrition medical magazine states that curcumin (deferuloilmetano) can help reduce hypertension, cholesterol levels, glucose levels in the test and other metabolic disorders. According to a study by the University of Tufts, curcumin has demonstrated real results in suppression of fatty tissue growth. By regulating sugar levels and preventing insulin resistance, curcumin also avoids fat deposition, which does not remain in the body. Moderate turmeric consumption (in the absence of cholelithiasis and other contraindications) increases the production of bile in the stomach, which also helps emulsify fats and accelerate metabolism.

In intestinal disorders

Curcumin also has similar properties to those of prebiotics that allow it to modify the intestinal microbiota and favor its immune system.

In cutaneous diseases

The European Journal of Dermatology magazine has published a study on the effects of curcumin taken orally, in combination with phototherapy, in the treatment of psoriasis. The results showed that this combination can be safer than traditional treatments for people with psoriasis in moderate to severe plaques.

To summarize in a brief compendium the current investigations on the subject, it can be affirmed that turmeric extends the lives of people who consume it regularly or for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

Can and cannot: how to take it correctly

But knowing the positive effects of turmeric in the body, we must take into account the contraindications of its use.

Pregnancy period: turmeric can cause menstruation, which puts pregnancy at risk.

Cholecystitis: gallbladder problems can be aggravated; If you suffer from bile calculations or bile duct obstruction, you should not consume turmeric without consulting the doctor.

Blood coagulation: in certain cases, this substance slows blood clotting, which entails a risk of bruises and hemorrhages when platelets are deficient.

Diabetes: Curcumin reduces glucose in the body. You should consult your doctor about the use of curcumin if your blood glucose values fluctuate regularly, both too low and too high.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (EGE): The substance in question can cause stomach discomfort in certain categories of people suffering from this disease.

Hormone sensitive diseases – breast, uterus cancer, ovaries, endometriosis or myoma: curcumin can act as estrogen hormone. Until there are more confirmed studies, caution must be taken in the presence of conditions that may worsen due to the effects of hormones.

For men

Infertility (male): turmeric reduces testosterone levels and decreases the movement of sperm when men take. This can reduce fertility. People trying to have a baby should use turmeric with caution.

Iron lack: Taking large amounts of turmeric can interfere with iron absorption. People with iron deficiency should use turmeric with caution.

Surgery: As mentioned above, turmeric sometimes slows blood coagulation, causing additional bleeding during and after surgery. You must stop consuming turmeric at least 2 weeks before the expected surgical intervention. By the way, there are more than 90 varieties of the hero of today’s history, some of which are purely ornamental. On an industrial scale, however, only 4 species are cultivated: long turmeric, aromatic, round and cedoaria (white turmeric), a well-known ethno-medical plant that is also used in Ayurveda. Its use in traditional Indian popular medicine is reflected in former medical treaties.

Turmeric for women

Traditionally, white turmeric is used to treat menstrual disorders, dyspepsia, vomiting and as an antitumor agent. Aldeanos use rhizoma for their blond, expectant, sedative, diuretic and stimulating properties, while the root is used to treat flatulence, dyspepsia, colds, cough and fevers.

Recipes with turmeric, even if you are healthy

What is turmeric, ground or fresh, if health problems have not yet been identified?

The benefits of turmeric for a woman with normal health, and not only for her, reside in the possibility of improving metabolism and weight loss, which will occur when normalizing blood sugar levels and expelling excess toxins.

Turmeric tea to lose weight is for a long time a remedy proven worldwide, taken from India. Recipes to prepare it are not too complicated. You can, for example, take half a teaspoon of dusty dust and a little ginger root, add them to half a liter of water and boil. After boiling, it cools at room temperature and drinks. The daily consumption of this tea normalizes blood sugar levels, which is important in diabetes, regulates the exit of bile and stable functioning of the pancreas.

However, those who do not like the flavor of ginger, can add mint leaves in their place and enjoy fresh tea with turmeric and menthol.

Another option is to add some cinnamon powder to the water, which also improves metabolism and is a powerful antioxidant.

Sugar to the tea should not be added, since it reduces the positive effect of its consumption, but honey and lemon juice are very suitable to improve the taste of the drink.

The famous ant i-inflammatory tea recipe of turmeric (“golden milk”) is slightly different in different countries due to the availability of certain ingredients.

It is a traditional Ayurvedic drink, abundant and soft, and quite easy to prepare. Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest medical systems; It was developed more than 3, 000 years ago in India and remains widely used in many countries.

Gold milk with turmeric

The main ingredient of golden milk is turmeric, which gives it a beautiful golden color and has healing properties. The base ingredient, milk, is usually chosen among the most natural types that are easily available. Abroad, for example, prefer to use coconut milk instead of cow’s milk, considering that it undergoes excessive previous treatment.

You have to prepare a powder paste, which can be kept in the refrigerator for approximately one month, adding it to the milk as it is needed. It is made with two tablespoons of turmeric and a glass of water. Once mixed, the future pasta is put on the fire, it is expected until it boils, after which it is boiled of five to seven minutes, stirring regularly. Then, the final product cools and gets into the fridge, is placed in a glass container and becomes thick and viscous.

Gold milk itself is prepared as follows: a teaspoon of pasta already prepared in a glass of hot milk is diluted and, if desired, useful ingredients are added to obtain an additional taste and benefit. Choose according to your taste

  • ground cardamom
  • fresh or ground ginger
  • ground cinnamon;
  • fresh liquid honey;
  • pure vanilla extract.

Cardamom, ginger and cinnamon not only give drinks a wonderful aroma, but also have their own healing properties, even as antioxidants.

This useful is a seemingly discreet spice!

KFC
Add a comment