Why turmeric is just terrific
LIKE avocados, kale and chia seeds before it, turmeric is one of those cure-all ingredients that seems to have blown up out of nowhere.
But is it just a fad or are there actual benefits to the wonder spice? We’ve found some sciencebacked reasons to tap into its healing potential.
IT DECREASES INFLAMMATION
RESEARCHERS have found that curcumin, the bright yellow chemical produced by turmeric, is capable of interacting with a variety of molecules involved in inflammation, easing swelling, aches and pains in the joints and muscles.
IT HAS ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS
ANTIOXIDANTS protect your cells against the effects of free radicals – unpaired electrons that scavenge the body to seek out other electrons so they can become a pair. Damage caused by free radicals has been linked to premature ageing, a host of neurodegenerative diseases, and even cancer. As well as bolstering the body’s natural antioxidant function by increasing glutathione levels, studies have found curcumin’s molecular structure can even neutralise free radicals, lessening the chances of disease.
IT CAN KEEP THE HEART HEALTHY
HEART and circulatory disease causes more than a quarter of all deaths in the UK; that’s nearly 160,000 a year. Multiple studies have found that the yellow pigment in turmeric root can help to maintain the function of the interior lining of your blood vessels.
IT REDUCES THE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION
RESEARCH has shown that curcumin has a similar effect as antidepressants on patients suffering from depression, mood swings and anxiety, and studies on mice found that daily doses of turmeric can increase happy hormones (serotonin and dopamine) in the brain.
IT BOOSTS IMMUNITY
THANKS to its lipopolysaccharide content, turmeric can help stimulate the body’s immune system, helping you to avoid cold, flu and coughs. Its antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal agents also help to bolster immunity during the winter months.