How many of you have grown up applying haldi tel or turmeric paste for wound healing, drinking its milk in case of illnesses, and to its wide applications like in the haldi ceremony?
Well, haldi or turmeric, often known as the golden spice, has been widely used in both Indian and Chinese medicine for centuries.
It has varied purposes, due to which it acts as a medicine, ointment, beauty-enhancing agent, and even as a health supplement.
But have you ever wondered why it's so well known and what benefits it offers? Do you know it's due to these reasons that it's widely used in your pantry as a kitchen staple as well?
So, let's check the benefits of turmeric, aka haldi or the golden spice!
20 Benefits of Turmeric For Your Overall Health
Turmeric has been used in India since time immemorial and continues to improve the health of people, including their skin and lots more.
However, some of its benefits that you would have heard could be vague or misleading. Here's where the following 20 highlighted health benefits of turmeric will ease the confusion!
So, let's dig into the details!
Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Nature
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Systematic Inflammation Reduction
Turmeric contains curcumin as its active compound, which inhibits inflammatory molecules and pathways. These make it effective to defend against chronic inflammatory conditions throughout a person's body.
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Combats Oxidative Stress
Curcumin in turmeric is a powerful antioxidant that neutralises free radicals and boosts the body's own oxidative enzymes. Hence, it provides dual benefits against cellular damage.
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Prevents Chronic Diseases
Haldi or turmeric, due to its anti-inflammatory nature, addresses underlying inflammation and oxidative stress. Hence, it is a powerful agent to fight against chronic conditions like:
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Heart diseases
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Cancer
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Oedema
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Neurodegenerative disorders
Improves Brain Health and Provides Neurological Support
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Promotes Brain Health
Curcumin in turmeric increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, which is a growth hormone of the brain. It helps with neuronal growth and improves memory and learning.
Thus, turmeric improves brain health as many of its diseases are linked to decreased BDNF, and curcumin increases its levels.
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Can Provide Support For Alzheimer's Patients
Turmeric's anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties enable it to cross the blood-brain barrier. Hence, it can be probable in reducing amyloid plaques and inflammation, which is linked to Alzheimer's.
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Elevates Mood and Helps With Depression Management
Mang studies reveal that curcumin can act as an antidepressant by influencing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which reduces neuroinflammation.
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Neuroprotection Against Toxins
Turmeric protects brain cells from damage caused by various environmental toxins and stressors due to its healing and immune-boosting properties.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
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Boosts Endothelial Function
Curcumin enhances the function of the lining of blood vessels (endothelium), which is vital for regulating blood pressure and overall heart health. This is because of a dysfunctional endothelium, which causes heart diseases, and turmeric improves it.
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Reduces Cholesterol and Triglycerides
Various studies have revealed that turmeric can lower bad cholesterol or LDL and triglycerides, which simultaneously increases good cholesterol or HDL.
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Anti-Thrombotic Effects
Turmeric has blood-thinning properties that prevent blood clotting, which is a major cause of lifestyle-related attacks and strokes.
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Regulates Blood Sugar
Higher-level research indicates that turmeric can help improve insulin sensitivity and even lower blood sugar levels. This makes it advantageous for people with type 2 diabetes or who are at risk of it.
Regulates Digestive and Liver Health
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Stimulates Gallbladder Bile Production
Turmeric has compounds that stimulate Bile production, which helps in the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
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Provides Digestive Comfort and Improves Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the gut lining and alleviate symptoms of IBS and related inflammatory bowel conditions.
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Helps With Liver Detoxification
Turmeric protects liver cells from damage and aids in liver detoxification, thus supporting liver health.
Supports Skin, Joint, and Metabolic Health
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Alleviates Arthritis Pain
Turmeric has potential anti-inflammatory effects that make it a natural remedy for reducing pain and stiffness in issues like rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.
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Enhances Skin Health and Boosts Wound Healing
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help with skin conditions like acne and eczema.
Besides, it is a quick remedy for wound healing:
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Mixing haldi in hot oil and applying
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Drinking turmeric milk
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Using turmeric powder with various ingredients to apply or eat as an Ayurvedic medicine
Besides, even haldi paste is applied by mixing it with water and other ingredients to treat various skin conditions and as a face pack.
Emerging Benefits of Turmeric
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Potential Anti-Cancer Properties
Curcumin is widely used due to its ability to suppress cancer development, growth, and spread, especially due to its inhibition of angiogenesis (blood vessel growth to tumours).
It even promotes cancer cell death, and new studies are underway to determine how it can be effectively targeted to cure cancer.
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Protective Effect Against Eye Conditions
New research indicates that curcumin might have protective effects against certain eye conditions like glaucoma and cataracts owing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.
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Modulates the Immune System
Instead of boosting immunity, turmeric helps to modulate it, which makes it more effective at responding to potential diseases and preventing overactivity that can cause autoimmune conditions.
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Antimicrobial Properties
Turmeric has natural antibiotic activities, plus it can fight against certain viruses and fungi as well, which improves overall health and protects against infections.
Final Words
Turmeric is the key to a good life and can be consumed via various methods. While its effectiveness cannot be compromised for better profitability, its adulteration is increasing.
People are mixing edible food colours with other ingredients to form a lookalike, and even wild turmeric is no longer helping due to highly mechanical extraction processes.
Here's where your simple kitchen ingredient might not be benefiting as suggested. As a rescue, Gyros Farm organically grows them in suitable farms with top-notch hygiene standards and extracts them like traditional methods.
Moreover, rigorous testing at each phase and sustainable yet eco-friendly packaging further prevent the release of microplastics or any pollutants.
So what stops you from living longer with good quality like your elders did? Order yours now!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is Turmeric Good For You?
Yes, turmeric is good for you because it is rich in phytonutrients that neutralise free radicals in your body and even shield the cells from damage.
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What Are Turmeric Benefits for Women?
Turmeric benefits women by easing menstrual cramps, regulating hormones, preventing certain types of cancers, and even alleviating PMS symptoms.
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What is Turmeric Good For?
Turmeric is good for hair, health, skin, body, heart, wound healing, and various other aspects of a quality life.
Sources: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/turmeric-benefits
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/turmeric-benefits-a-look-at-the-evidence