8 Turmeric Benefits That You Should Definitely Know About

Turmeric is an ancient spice that comes from the Curcuma flowering plant which is native to India and Southeast Asia. It is closely related, and visually similar to, ginger. Turmeric has an earthy, pungent taste and is used in many cooked dishes, especially curries, widely recognizable by its dark yellow/orange color. In addition to its culinary properties, turmeric has been used medicinally for thousands of years to treat skin, respiratory, and joint issues. In more recent times, turmeric is used in supplement form to treat ailments ranging from liver disease to gastrointestinal disorders, depression, and allergies.

7 Science-Backed Health Benefits Of Turmeric

Improves Liver Function  

The liver’s job is to filter toxins from the body, aiding in a natural detoxification process, but the liver can easily get overwhelmed when the toxic burden is too high from things like medications, alcohol, air pollution, and chemical products. Turmeric helps to protect the liver from these agents and can rid excess cholesterol^[1] from the liver, in turn reducing fatty deposits and subsequent inflammation. Some studies also suggest that curcumin, the main compound in turmeric, can play a role in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease^[2]. 

Improves Skin Health 

Many skin conditions come down to inflammation and an imbalanced gut microbiome (the gut microbiome influences the skin microbiome). Turmeric not only reduces inflammation, which can then ease symptoms such as eczema, rashes, and acne, but turmeric helps the gut microbiome flourish, which can then have positive effects on the skin’s microbiome. Turmeric has also been shown to help with wound healing by decreasing oxidation and inflammation, and when applied topically, can help the skin to naturally glow^[3]. For this reason, turmeric can be added to face scrubs and creams.

Improves Digestion   

Turmeric has been prescribed for a variety of GI ailments^[4] and conditions including acid reflux, bloating, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and even certain GI cancers. The anti-inflammatory properties in turmeric serve as a healing aid in digestion, as many GI disturbances are rooted in inflammation. Additionally turmeric increases the amount and diversity of beneficial gut bacteria^[5], having positive cascading effects on digestion and overall health. Turmeric is also considered a “bitter” food which helps to stimulate stomach acid production, which then helps to break down food better during the digestive process.

Neutralizes Free Radicals

Free radicals are “highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons^[6],” and usually react with our DNA as well as other chemicals in the body including fatty acids and proteins. Free radicals left unchecked can cause oxidative stress or damage inside the body, and it’s thought that this process is responsible for many diseases and premature aging. However, antioxidants, such as the ones found in turmeric, help to combat or neutralize free radicals. It’s also been suggested that in addition to combatting free radicals, turmeric may also encourage other antioxidants to join in and fight free radicals.

Can Boost BDNF 

BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) is a protein produced by the central nervous system. BDNF is responsible for the functioning and development of brain neurons and synapses (the spaces between neurons). It is also behind the brain’s ability to be malleable (neuroplasticity) so that we can learn and remember new things and rewire how we think and behave. BDNF is needed for good communication to take place between neurons on an ongoing basis, but it naturally declines as we age, and too much of a decrease can create memory problems and lead to cognition diseases. However turmeric contains polyphenols which have shown to boost^[7] BDNF.

Can Prevent Heart Disease  

Heart disease does not happen overnight; there are many steps in the process, and curcumin, the main compound in turmeric, may help to reverse some of those steps. It does this by enhancing blood vessel functioning (when the vessel linings don’t function correctly, it can easily lead to heart disease). Some studies have suggested that turmeric may be as effective as exercise for the prevention of heart disease, especially for women. The reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress turmeric is known for are two more factors in helping to lower blood pressure and protect the heart.

Can Treat Alzheimer’s 

In addition to boosting BDNF, turmeric plays other roles in brain health and cognition. Curcumin is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, which makes it highly successful in its healing capabilities, allowing the anti-inflammatory effects to get directly into the brain (inflammation is a leading cause of Alzheimer’s). Another aspect of brain dysfunction, amyloid plaques, which are protein buildups in the brain, are shown to be behind Alzheimer’s; studies have found that those plaques can be cleared by taking or consuming curcumin in therapeutic doses. 

Can Balance Blood Sugar 

Keeping a steady blood sugar is crucial for overall health. Glucose spikes cause inflammation, which leads to disease, premature aging, fatigue, and so on. Eating too much refined sugar from sweets (especially without other foods to slow down the sugar) can lead to glucose spikes and high blood sugar. However, scientific evidence suggests that turmeric can bind to sugar, pulling some out of the bloodstream, and helping to keep blood sugar balanced.

How To Use Turmeric?

Turmeric can be eaten in any number of ways, but is most often used as a pre-ground spice to season food. It can be sprinkled into any dish to give it an earthy, curry-like flavor, such as meat, fish, potatoes, rice, stews and soups, or can even be added to smoothies. Turmeric root can also be juiced as part of a vegetable or fruit juice drink. 

As a supplement, turmeric usually comes in powder form encapsulated in a pill. Though it is relatively safe to take daily, it’s best to discuss individual dosing with your doctor.

One thing to keep in mind is that turmeric is not very bioavailable. This means your body isn’t able to absorb a lot of it, so taking more won’t necessarily help. The way to absorb more is to pair it with black pepper – this helps to increase the bioavailability by as much as 2,000%. Also, pair it with a source of dietary fat, as fat increases the absorption of most spices. These tricks will help the curcumin in the turmeric to pass into the bloodstream. 

The ratio^[8] of turmeric to black pepper when cooking is about ¼ teaspoon of pepper to 1 teaspoon of turmeric. When looking for a turmeric supplement, make sure the supplement also has black pepper in it, then take the supplement with a meal that contains fat.

How To Get Turmeric?

Turmeric is sold whole in many stores, especially health food stores. However, turmeric is easy to buy online, as well. Turmeric can be bought whole as a root, which would need to be peeled before eaten or juiced (similar to ginger), or as a powder in the spice aisle. 

Conclusion

Turmeric is an ancient Indian spice that looks similar to ginger but more orange than yellow and has been used for centuries for its many medicinal properties in addition to its culinary offerings. It adds an earthy and savory flavor to all types of foods while providing anti-inflammatory benefits that have positive effects on digestion, skin health, brain health, heart health, and immunity. Turmeric is sold in grocery stores as a root spice, but may also be purchased in supplement form and taken orally for a variety of ailments.

Frequently Asked Questions