Turmeric

Benefits of Turmeric

Within turmeric, there’s a chemical called curcumin, its primary active component, which is the compound that most of its health benefits are attributed to. Curcumin is a natural antioxidant that has anti-inflammatory properties. Studies previously carried out even go so far as to say that, if the right amount is taken, curcumin can have greater anti-inflammatory effects than common medications taken for that purpose, such as aspirin.

Not only that, but it has been shown to potentially have anti-aging qualities as well as being a candidate for preventing Alzheimer’s disease and even depression. Cancer, heart disease, arthritis and diabetes are just a number of other potential areas where it’s use can be of great consequence.

To experience these benefits, however, it wouldn’t be sufficient to simply add turmeric to the occasional meal, but to employ the use of supplements.

It’s important to note that though it may be of use to the listed health issues, combining it with medication being taken for those specific issues should be avoided before consulting a doctor.

For example, there’s evidence that taking turmeric along with diabetes medication can lead to very low blood sugar levels. Turmeric also restricts your body absorbing iron, so combining it with iron supplements is not advised.

So, despite its benefits, turmeric is no different to many other helpful substances. Caution should always be applied before admitting it to your body.