Tumeric is not only a beloved spice but also a powerful superfood that is well known for being as nutritious as it is delicious. Yes, this savory root is often used to bring a savory, warm flavor to a dish; turmeric is also packed with powerful health benefits. While it is possible to introduce turmeric into your diet, often times people choose to use turmeric supplements. Turmeric powder is a great way to creatively introduce this superfood into several aspects of your diet with ease.
If you have been wondering about the benefits of turmeric powder and why you should be using it as a supplement, here is everything you need to know!
What’s So Special About Turmeric?
Turmeric is a spice that has been used in Asia, most famously in India, for millennia. If you have ever had Indian curry, this spice is responsible for that fantastic yellow color. Its flavor profile is warm and savory, and it goes well in many different foods. Turmeric is harvested from a root and contains an active ingredient called curcumin. This curcumin compound has been shown to have potent health benefits.
Why Take a Turmeric Supplement?
Ground from the root of the Curcuma longa, which is a flowering plant, turmeric is a powerful spice. However, it can be hard to get the benefit of turmeric in this way. That’s because, in its natural state, the compound curcumin is found in very small quantities. Yes, the more turmeric you use, the more curcumin you can benefit from. However, most western diets don’t call for heavy turmeric.
This is why a supplemental form of the powder is often advised. Not only that, but it’s been shown that turmeric has a low absorption rate, making it challenging to benefit from while being used as a spice. That’s why many supplements use a turmeric concentrate with a higher percentage of curcumin. Not only that, but supplements can also be paired with unique natural compounds like piperine that can enhance the absorption of turmeric significantly.
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Turmeric Can Help With Inflammation
One of the most potent benefits of turmeric is that it can help people deal with inflammation. The active compound in turmeric, curcumin, is thought to help fight chronic inflammation. Turmeric has not been known to help with acute cases of inflammation however it is thought to help people dealing with chronic inflammation such as ulcerative colitis.
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to specific health issues and needs to be controlled. While turmeric may not be effective in muscle recovery from your workout, it has been shown to benefit long-term, chronic conditions.
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A Great Source of Antioxidants
One of turmerics’ most powerful medical benefits is its natural source of antioxidants. Antioxidants help maintain health on a cellular level. They help you fight cell damage and are essential for neutralizing free radicals. Natural processes like aging can have big wear and tear on your body, starting at the cellular level. Free radicals can cause oxidative damage to cells and healthy, natural antioxidants can help neutralize and minimize their damage.
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Turmeric Is Thought to Help With Memory
An exciting benefit of turmeric is that it is thought to help increase memory. Research is still being done to investigate why turmeric could help improve memory and brain function. Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties and rich source of antioxidants could help promote healthier and stronger brain function.
Some studies have shown a rise in BDNF, an essential protein associated with memory and learning that could correlate to naturally occurring compounds in turmeric. While the mechanism is still being investigated, studies suggest that a turmeric supplement can help improve memory and brain function.
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Could Help With Depression
Another way that turmeric could help a person’s cognitive functions is by fighting depression. Studies have shown that BDNF is boosted in response to curcumin, the ingredient in turmeric. Along with helping in memory, BDNF is also thought to help people deal with depression. One study has even shown that curcumin may have as much potential to lower depression as the well-known medication Prozac.
Turmeric’s active compound, curcumin, has also been thought to help raise the level of natural feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin.
Conclusion
Turmeric is a supplement that has a powerful active ingredient that could bring a lot of real-life benefits to anyone who takes it. Like any superfood, a supplement can be a great way to get turmeric’s benefit without adding a lot of extra complexity to your diet. With a supplement like a turmeric powder, there are several ways that you can incorporate this natural powerhouse into your day-to-day life, from smoothies to cooking or even baking recipes.
