All effects of turmeric on the body /turmeric benefits recipes

We hear a lot about this famous Indian spice, and above all, we hear a lot about its virtues for health. It is lent miraculous properties, others more reasonable, but in the end: what about?

Let's discover together what are the benefits of turmeric on health.

What is the composition of turmeric?

In summary, the composition of the turmeric  is:

• essential oils
• curcuminoids (mainly curcumin)
• starch
• vitamins
• fibers

• This, for 100 g:

• 291 Cal
• Protein: 9.6 g
• Lipids: 3.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 44.4 g
• Fibers: 22.7 g

In detail, the main components of turmeric are:

• curcuminoids which give the yellow color and are the main active ingredients of the main spice: curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin, bidesmethoxycurcumin and dihydrocurcumin.
• quinoids
• sesquiterpenes: alpha and gamma alantones, bisabolen, bisacumol, bisacurone (with anti-inflammatory properties), caryophyllene (other anti-inflammatory), curcumene, curcumenone (with antioxidant properties)
• steroids: cholesterol, campesterol (with anti-inflammatory properties), stigmasterol
• monoterpenes: cineole, camphene, terpinene
• phenylpropanoids: caffeic acid, p-cumaric acid, 4-hydroxy cinnamoylmethane.
• lignans: iso-proccumenol, 4-hydroxy-cinnamoyl- (feruloxyl) methane
• benzenoids: curcumin and drifts, guaiacol.
• carbohydrates: ukonan A.
• alkaloids
• essential oils: turmerone (with antidepressant properties), dehydroturmerone, gingiberene (with antiulcer properties), atlantone, curcumenol, borneol, camphor, terpinene.

What are the benefits of turmeric for health?

We are going to separate the effects of turmeric into two categories, the effects recognized by Western science, and the effects not officially recognized by Western science, but used in foreign traditional medicines, such as Indian Ayurvedic medicine for example, where it is call the spice of long life.

Turmeric is a spice with many properties, preventive and curative, mainly used for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to prevent certain cancers and protect aging-related diseases

Uses recognized by Western medicine

* ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT

This is one of the main uses of turmeric in the West, but also in India and China: relieve pain related to inflammatory diseases (often rheumatism and other arthritis, but also lumbago or tendonitis), whether inflammation chronic or acute.

It is effective in relieving inflammation that affects most organs and tissues of the human body: digestive system, nervous system, skin, joints, muscles, tendons, etc.

Whether auto-inflammatory diseases, autoimmune systemic and localized, or inflammatory conditions of undetermined origin, regular consumption of turmeric can relieve symptoms and associated pain, by inhibiting an enzyme responsible for the synthesis of prostaglandins inflammatory.

Studies have shown that curcumin has an anti-inflammatory effect close to NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and cortisone, acting on pain, mediators of inflammation and morning joint stiffness, all without effects. unwanted side effects such as irritation of the digestive tract.

[Read: BENEFIT OF COMBINING CINNAMON AND HONEY]

1200 mg of curcumin per day is as effective as phenylbutazone, a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. 2 g of turmeric a day for 6 weeks have effects comparable to 800 mg of ibuprofen per day.

Long-term consequences of turmeric consumption:

- reduction of the frequency of osteoarthritic attacks

- reduction of pain intensity

- Slowing down of the inflammation and destruction of the joint.

* INFLAMMATION OF THE SKIN, WOUNDS AND SCARS:

The healing, antibacterial, antiseptic, healing and soothing virtues of turmeric are demonstrated and approved by all. It is used as a paste to fight psoriasis, eczema or acne.

Check out our article on the benefits of turmeric on the skin.

Use to treat minor wounds, cuts, scrapes, acne and skin lesions. It also helps soothe redness.

More surprisingly, turmeric helps fight against the growth of hair, it is used elsewhere to prepare pasta and mask depilatories natural in India!

* STOMACH ACIDITIES

As a result of excess secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, the causes are many: meals too rich in meat, tobacco, alcohol, energy drinks, soft drinks, sodas, excess animal fat, etc.

Turmeric helps fight stomach acid and acid reflux, either through regular consumption in the kitchen, or at the moment of symptoms, thanks to an infusion of turmeric with a dash of lemon juice and honey

* DIARRHEA

Simple or viral diarrhea, due to stress, a cold snap, or other, we have all been confronted with this symptom of the most unpleasant.

Studies have shown that turmeric helps relieve diarrhea by stopping the destruction of cells in the intestinal wall. To heal, drink a turmeric infusion twice a day.

The antimicrobial properties of turmeric are also effective in cases of gastroenteritis.

* bloating

Among the troublesome intestinal problems, one finds the bloating that can be painful. This increase in the volume of air in the digestive tract is often due to large bites swallowed too quickly, or to an excess of soft drinks, etc.

Regular consumption of turmeric, in cooking or infusion can effectively fight against bloating.

* NAUSEA

Consuming turmeric, especially when it is combined with ginger, helps relieve nausea of ​​all kinds: motion sickness, pregnant women, chronic nausea, etc.

Prepare an infusion of turmeric and add a piece of ginger, with a hint of honey to soothe the nausea.

* BAD INTESTINAL TRANSIT

Poor intestinal transit often causes stomach upset: dyspepsia, abdominal pain, tiredness, headache, feeling of bloating, loss of appetite, feeling of heaviness in the stomach and gall bladder after heavy meals, flatulence, etc.

[Read: HONEY WITH TURMERIC]

It seems to be mainly related to stress and anxiety. All of these symptoms can be greatly relieved by regular consumption of turmeric, which has a direct impact on sleep, which is why turmeric is found in the moon milk, the Indian drink that helps sleep.

The World Health Organization has recognized its positive action against digestive disorders.

* CONSTIPATION

Mainly related to our diet, constipation can also be psychological or emotional. Apart from general advice such as practicing physical activity, reducing fatty foods, increasing fiber intake or drinking more water a day, regular consumption of turmeric is an excellent prevention of constipation.

* IRRITABLE COLON SYNDROME AND INTESTINAL INFLAMMATORY DISEASES:

Irritable bowel syndrome affects mostly women, and turmeric helps relieve infusions for at least 8 weeks in parallel with a probiotic course.

Indeed, studies have shown that 140 mg of curcumin per day can reduce symptoms.

Curcumin at high dose, 1 g twice daily for 6 months, reduces the number of acute attacks of Chron's disease.

* GINGIVITY:

A study has shown that mouthwashes with turmeric are as effective as chlorhexidine in treating inflammation of the gums. It is widely used for all oral health, but also for whitening teeth.

Uses in traditional medicine, not categorically recognized in Western medicine:

* Cancer:

This is surely the most active area of ​​research currently. Many researchers believe that the concentration of anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories contained in curcumin prevent and may even cure cancer. Check out our article on turmeric to fight cancer to find out more.

Indeed, it has been noted that in countries where turmeric is highly consumed, particularly in South-East Asia, the concentration of cancers such as cancer of the colon, breast, stomach, liver, prostate or still lung, is much lower than elsewhere.

From a clinical point of view, research is still insufficient and data are still scarce.

Preventive effect:

Studies are encouraging, such as those conducted on animals exposed to carcinogens and curcumin, the latter having shown a preventive effect on several types of cancers: lung, colon, stomach, liver, skin, breast and leukemia.

Another study shows that the consumption of turmeric would reduce the risk of cancer in smokers.

Why this preventive effect? Curcumin helps fight against oxidative stress that causes cell degeneration, as well as inflammation can lead to immune and metabolic dysfunctions. This degeneration coupled immune and metabolic dysfunctions are linked in the majority of cases to the appearance of cancerous tumors.

[Read: TURMERIC AND LEMON TO LOSE WEIGHT]

These preventive virtues would work against many cancers, especially against those of the ENT, lung and breast. It would also have a decidedly beneficial effect in reducing intraepithelial neoplasia, a precancerous condition of the prostate.

It is because of this effect that it is explained that Indians are 13 times less affected by cancer of the colon, prostate and lungs than Americans.

Inhibitory effect:

In vitro studies already indicate the inhibitory effect of turmeric on the proliferation of cancer cells. Curcumin helps to make enzymes that help the body get rid of cancer cells.

A study of patients with pre-cancerous lesions showed that a cure of 1 to 8 g of curcumin per day for 3 months allowed to regress some lesions.

Curative effect:

Clinical trials are still underway, but the anti-cancer properties of curcumin are not taken lightly, it would be even the main hope in the fight against cancer. However, the main concern is the daily dose to be taken to obtain laboratory effects.

Curcumin is poorly absorbed by the intestines and a good part of it is rapidly eliminated by the liver. It is therefore difficult to reach effective doses against cancer in everyday life. On the other hand, even if curcumin doses are low in the body, they remain high in the digestive system, which is why strong hopes persist against cancer of the stomach, colon and the entire digestive tract.

It should be noted that in Chinese medicine, turmeric is prescribed at the beginning of cervical cancer, against skin cancer, familial rectocolic polyposis, colorectal cancer and liver metastases.

Adjuvant effect:

In animal studies, it has been noted that turmeric can be used as an adjunct to conventional treatments, increasing the therapeutic effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It could also relieve their side effects from these heavy treatments.

Bérengère Arnal-Morvan, a gynecologist and breast cancer specialist, says that turmeric has a beneficial effect on chemotherapy.

On the other hand, it specifies that it is better to avoid taking 2 days before and 2 days after certain treatments including camptothecine, doxorubicine, mechlorethamine, cyclophosphamide and vincristine, because turmeric could partially inhibit the effects of these molecules.

On the contrary, for some treatments, including gemcitabine, paclitaxel, docetaxel and oxaliplatin, turmeric would improve the effects, as well as tolerance to chemo.

Alzheimer's disease :

Turmeric, rich in antioxidants, would be beneficial to fight the loss of cognitive function caused by Alzheimer's disease, but scientific research is insufficient to say that the spice is beneficial in patients already affected.

However, curcumin, combined with turmerone, another component of turmeric, would undoubtedly have positive effects on the brain by destroying the protein plaques responsible for the degeneration of certain brain cells.

One study reported that 1 to 4 g turmeric a day for 6 months significantly increased vitamin E levels, but did not improve the cognitive functions of patients.

Many researchers justify the fact that there are 5 times fewer cases of Alzheimer's in India than in the United States, by the consumption of turmeric.

Cardiovascular illnesses :

There is only one real study on the impact of turmeric on cardiovascular health. This study was conducted in postmenopausal women with a left ventricular defect, consuming 2 g of turmeric per day and practicing sport.

The results show a reduction in body mass and aortic blood pressure.

Turmeric would help purify and thin the blood, by acting on blood sugar and bad cholesterol.

Diabetes:

Only 2 studies have been conducted on this subject, one of them is very encouraging. Indeed, 2 groups received respectively a placebo for one, 3 capsules of 600 mg of curcuminoids per day for the other.

After 9 months, 16% of participants in the placebo group developed diabetes, while none of those treated with turmeric developed diabetes. In addition, all of the last group lost weight, and saw their waistline and blood sugar levels decrease. To go further on this theme, check out our article on turmeric and weight loss.

Cholesterol and triglyceride levels:

There are studies showing a reduction in bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol), others have shown the opposite, no effect, so we do not really know what to think.

In contrast, triglyceride studies show a decrease in triglyceride levels in obese patients.

In prevention, the spice helps maintain a good cholesterol level.

Gastric ulcers

In vitro studies have shown that curcumin protects the gastric mucosa and kills the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which is responsible for most gastric ulcers.

The number of studies is too low to draw categorical conclusions, but the effect is there: the cure rate was 75% with a course of 3 g of turmeric per day for 12 weeks.

Consumed daily, turmeric reduces inflammation and has a preventive effect on ulcers.

Purifying effect

Turmeric is an excellent purifier that, consumed regularly, purifies blood and organs (liver, gallbladder, etc.) and the whole body.

In Asian medicine, it is used to treat liver diseases, gallstones, and liver diseases (hepatitis, jaundice, cirrhosis).

How to use turmeric for health?

- In the kitchen: take between 1.5 g and 3 g, or between 1/2 and 1 teaspoon daily in the meals

- In infusion: boil 150 ml of water and put 1 to 1.5 g of turmeric powder to infuse for 15 minutes, then drink. Drink 2 cups a day

- In external application: see our turmeric mask recipe

- In capsules: refer to the instructions for use

- In essential oil: refer to the instructions for use

Among the best combinations, we also find turmeric lemon, the combination of two complementary products excellent for health.

[Read: BENEFIT OF COMBINING CINNAMON AND HONEY]
[Read: HONEY WITH TURMERIC]
[Read: TURMERIC AND LEMON TO LOSE WEIGHT]