What Are the Benefits of Tumeric?

Every day, more people realize the incredible healing properties of tumeric. Straight from the curcuma plant, tumeric is known for its tasty curry dishes and for giving a variety of creations a little extra spice. It's popular for taste, but tumeric is good for more than a delicious meal. Tumeric provides health benefits than can help you have a better quality of life. From addressing your specific ailments to improving your health on a broad scale, tumeric proves to have a positive impact on the body and its systems. And because it's versatile, it can be consumed through an herbal tonic, supplement, or even natural oils. Keep reading for more about how tumeric can benefit you:

Anti-Inflammatory

Tumeric contains many compounds that contribute to your health. One of the most important is a compound called curcumin, which possesses powerful anti-inflammatory properties. For this reason, tumeric is ideal for people who experience swelling in the ankles or have excessive bloating in the mid-section. To decrease symptoms of inflammation or to manage current symptoms, tumeric is your best bet.

Provides Antioxidants

Antioxidants are important because they neutralize roaming free radicals in the body. If they go unchecked, free radicals—highly-reactive molecules that are the byproduct of waste from cellular activity—can cause harm to the body's organic substances. Consuming antioxidants through a healthy diet can help offset these free radicals, and because of its chemical structure, tumeric helps to offsetting free radicals; this allows your body to operate optimally.

Boosts Heart Health

Heart disease has proven to be the number one cause of death in the world. Though heart disease is complex and researchers are working to understand it better, scientists are clear on this: tumeric is beneficial to heart health. Mainly, curcumin compounds in tumeric are known to improve the function of the lining of the blood vessels, also known as the endothelium. The dysfunction of the endothelium is a large contributor to heart disease, so consuming tumeric in turn improves heart health and decreases chances of experiencing heart disease. Add in some tumeric to make your heart happy.

Supports Brain Activity

Modern science tells us that neurons in the brain have the capacity to form new connections and can even multiply in certain parts of the brain. A notable contributor of this growth is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)—a gene that plays a huge role in learning, memory, and the life of the neuron. This is where tumeric comes in: curcumin in tumeric increases levels of BDNF, which is why taking tumeric can improve Alzheimer's symptoms and fight other degenerative processes.

Improves Digestive Function

Another bodily system impacted by levels of inflammation, the digestive system can also stand to benefit from tumeric. Depending on the things you eat and drink, you may be familiar with gut inflammation. Dairy may cause your bowels to slow while potatoes may bring you to bloat. Fortunately, tumeric assists with both of these by allowing the walls of the intestine to relax and by acting as a natural laxative. If you've been having a hard time or just want to remain regular, including tumeric is a great way to get things going.

Treats Skin Conditions

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of tumeric don't just stick to the inside of the body—they address the outside, too. Tumeric's makeup contributes to the accelerated healing of the skin barrier, from reducing acne to swiftly healing cuts and wounds. Even chronic conditions like psoriasis show improvement with the addition of tumeric. Some people use tumeric supplements to treat the skin, while others use gloves to spread tumeric directly onto the face. Tumeric is highly potent and the bright color can stain yours skin and even cause a reaction, so consult with a physician before choosing how to treat your specific skin conditions.

Relieves Arthritis Symptoms

Studies have shown that curcumin is extremely effective at addressing arthritis symptoms. With tumeric possessing many anti-inflammatory properties, it's no wonder why it's effective at tackling pain and discomfort. Arthritis is the result of cartilage wearing down between the bones, causing pain and swelling around the affected joints. With tumeric tackling inflammation, arthritis patients are able to experience a reduction in pain, and can even experience simparl relief to certain arthritis medications. Sometimes going the natural route takes more time, but tumeric proves to be worth the wait.

Tumeric Takeaways

The list is long when it comes to what tumeric can do for you. From digestion and heart health to inflammation and chronic conditions, tumeric works well with the body and assists in its daily function. And because it's natural, it comes packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that support the body in varying ways. You could stand to reap the benefits of tumeric, so give it a shot and enjoy the rewards that come with it.