Impressive Health benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin

December 05, 2021

Turmeric is a flowering plant used in cooking. The plant is a rhizomatous, perennial, and herbaceous plant that is native to the Southeast Asia and Indian subcontinent. This plant needs between 20 and 30 °C degrees of temperature and a large amount of rainfall annually to thrive. Each ear, plants are gathered to pick their rhizomes, some for consumption and some for the following season’s propagation. These rhizomes are used in two ways; fresh or boiled in hot water and then dried. They are then turned into a yellow-orange powder, which is basically used as a flavoring and coloring agent in numerous Asian cuisines as for dyeing. Turmeric powder has a kind of bitter, warm, black pepper-like flavor, with a sort of earthy, mustard-like scent. This spice gives curry its deep yellow color.

For a thousand years, turmeric was used in India both as a spice and a medicinal herb. These days, it is claimed that turmeric has some compounds with sort of medicinal properties called curcuminoids, and the most famous one is actually curcumin.

Curcumin is a yellowish chemical food additive. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties and affects as a way powerful antioxidant.

Benefits of turmeric and curcumin

1. the bioactive compounds

Turmeric includes bioactive compounds containing medicinal properties, but the amount of turmeric’s curcumin isn’t that high, around 3%, by weight. Using turmeric only as a spice in foods is not enough, which is why some people use supplements. Curcumin is poorly engrossed in the bloodstream. To reach the full curcumin’s effects, its bioavailability (the rate of absorbing substances by the body) needs to be improved. So it’s better to use it with black pepper since it contains piperine, a natural substance increasing the absorption of curcumin. Actually, the best curcumin supplements contain piperine, making them substantially way more effective. Curcumin also dissolves in fat or oil and breaks it down, so it can be good to take curcumin supplements besides a high-fat meal.

2. anti-inflammatory properties

Curcumin contains natural anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is so vital for the body. It can fight foreign invaders and helps in repairing damage in our bodies. Though short-term and acute inflammation is beneficial for the body, it becomes a concern if it gets chronic and attacks your body tissues.
Scientists these days believe that chronic and low-level inflammation may have a role in many diseases and health conditions, such as deficiency, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, metabolic syndrome and some degenerative conditions. That’s why whatever helps fight chronic inflammation is so vital. So it can be said that chronic inflammation leads to many common health conditions. Curcumin may suppress some molecules playing significant roles in inflammation, but its bioavailability should be enhanced.

3. antioxidant properties

Turmeric also can enhance the body’s antioxidant capacity. Oxidative damage is considered a mechanism that comes from aging and many diseases. This mechanism contains free radicals and strongly reactive molecules with electrons unpaired. Free radicals like to react with vital organic substances, such as proteins, fatty acids, or DNA. Since antioxidants protect the body from free radicals, they are very beneficial. Curcumin is a potent antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals because of its chemical structure. Besides, cellular and animal studies indicate that curcumin can block free radicals’ action and might stimulate other antioxidants’ action. More clinical studies are required on humans to confirm these benefits.

4. empowering brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Curcumin also can empower the brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Previously, it was claimed that they couldn’t divide and multiply after the first years of childhood. Today, however, it is believed that isn’t the case. Neurons can form new connections, and in some areas of the brain, they multiply. The main driver of this process is BDNF, or brain-derived neurotrophic factor. BDNF is a gene involved in making a protein ready for promoting the neurons’ life. This protein has a role in memory and learning, found in some areas of the brain responsible for drinking, eating, and body weight.

Many known brain disorders are related to decreased levels of BDNF protein, like depression and also Alzheimer’s disease. Some animal studies found that curcumin might increase brain levels of BDNF. So, it can be effective in delaying or reversing brain diseases and age-related decreases in the function of the brain. But these studies are not extended to humans. Also, due to its effects on BDNF levels, it helps improve memory and attention.

5. lowering the risk of heart disease

Heart disease is one cause of death all over the world. Heart disease is way complicated, and various factors contribute to it. Curcumin is considered to be able to reverse some steps in the heart disease process in many ways, like improving the function of the endothelium, which is the lining of the blood vessels. Dysfunction of endothelium is a major cause of heart disease when endothelium can’t regulate blood clotting, blood pressure, and many other factors. Bedsides, by reducing inflammation and oxidation which have roles in heart disease.
Turmeric and its active compound called curcumin have numerous health benefits proved by scientists, like improving heart health and fighting against Alzheimer’s and cancer, in addition to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.