It has been called “the new matcha” and took the health and wellness world by storm. From teas, to capsules, juice shots, cocktails, and lattes - turmeric is the new flavor of the moment in every local organic cafe or green grocery.
While turmeric is the latest trend in the Western world, in the Middle and the Far East it has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years, as one of the most effective nutritional supplements that nature can offer.
As we catch up on the trend, hundreds of studies had already proven the amazing benefits turmeric has, and the incredible affects it can have on our body. Here are 8 proven benefits that might convince you to start adding turmeric to your diet - and lots of it.
1. Turmeric can fight inflammations
The main active ingredient in turmeric is the curcumin, a substance with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Actually, studies have shown that aspirin and ibuprofen, the most common anti-inflammatory drugs, are less effective then curcumin in fighting inflammation.
This amazing quality of the curcumin has been studied as a possible treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, however, the evidence for the turmeric’s effect on patients is inconclusive.
2. It can make your skin glow
The abundance of anti-oxidant properties in the turmeric has been proven as effective in treating many skin conditions. These benefits can speed up wound healing, increase your “skin glow,” and even decrease acne and acne scarring.
3. It may slow down the formation of blood clots
Blood clotting is one of the Western world’s biggest health concerns. A few studies have pointed out that the use of curcumin can significantly reduce platelet aggregation, which leads to a potential prevention of clot forming.
4. It's being tested as a possible treatment for cancer
According to Cancer Research UK, a number of lab studies have shown that curcumin have anti-cancer affects on cancer cells. According to these studies, turmeric might be able to kill cancer cells, especially breast, bowel, skin, and stomach cancer. Other studies have shown that turmeric might help with chemotherapy resistance.
5. It may help manage diabetes
In 2009, a study in Auburn University have discovered that curcumin in turmeric can potentially lower glucose level. According to this study, turmeric is 400 more potent then metformin - one of the most common diabetes medication - in activating the enzyme AMPK, which is considered to help manage type 2 diabetes.
6. It could reduce depression symptoms
An innovative study published in 2014 has treated patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder with curcumin, and compared it with patients treated with PROZAC. According to the study, the curcumin was equally as effective as the PROZAC in managing depression. The study is considered a breakthrough in the approach to treating major and mild depression.
7. It might manage cholesterol levels
Heart diseases in the U.S. are one of the most alarming health problems, and one of the reasons for that is high blood sugar, which leads to high levels of cholesterol. According to a study run by Drugs in R & D curcumin can reduce oxidative stress, which is caused by high blood sugar, and causes high cholesterol levels.
8. It can clean out toxics out of our body
Turmeric has the ability to detoxify the body on a daily basis. We constantly consume environmental and dietary toxins that are often associated with increased amounts of inflammation and higher risk of cancer. Several herbs and plants seem to help the body detoxify, by boosting the liver and turmeric is one of them.
