Turmeric—one of the most loved spices of the decade, or possibly one of the most loved spices ever—dates back thousands of years and as an essential spice in India. Today, turmeric is widely used across the globe for cooking, medicines, soothing tea, dyes and more. The one theory most everyone agrees upon: the health benefits or turmeric are significant.
What is Turmeric
Turmeric is a member of the ginger family, grown from a Rhizome that grows into a tropical Asian plant with an earthy orange root. From this root, rich with another prized compound called curcumin, we harvest the wonderful turmeric spice. Curcumin is actually the main ingredient responsible for anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Turmeric is used primarily for cooking and medicinal purposes, but there are other uses. This amazing spice is the foundation for several cooking ingredients such as cumin and curry powder. According to WebMD, turmeric is known to contain a myriad of health benefits that support the human body and the human brain.
The Turmeric Benefits
There are many benefits in turmeric, but keep in mind there are also dozens of applications that vary in intensity, quantity, and absorption. To get the true health benefits from turmeric, you may need to consult with a doctor and take a direct supplement. Cooking with turmeric spice and other spices that contain turmeric is often a healthy choice, but it may not be enough. When administered with care, some consumers of turmeric find significant benefits:
- Anti-inflammatory that may help fight cancer, dementia, metabolic diseases, heart disease and other degenerative diseases.
- Anti-oxidant that is shown to boost the body’s anti-oxidant enzymes and fight free radicals.
- Brain medicine known for improving memory issues by increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)—a growth hormone in the brain.
- Heart-healthy option in which the lining of your blood vessels is improved for regulated blood pressure, clotting, and more.
- Multi-purpose ingredient for relieving the symptoms of many diseases including Alzheimer’s, arthritis and depression, to name a few.
Turmeric is so powerful it is actually called “brain food” among its constituents. Even so, it must be discussed with a doctor, consumed properly, and monitored if used for particular health issues. Like everything, it can have a negative effect in certain situations.
Facts About Beloved Turmeric
Even with its historical popularity and worldwide usage over the centuries, there are many small facts about beloved turmeric you may not be aware of:
- Did you know that “turmeric” is pronounced: tur-mur-ic, while it seems most pronounce it without the first “r,” as tumor-ic.
- Of all the spices, turmeric is called the golden spice because of its bright orange-yellow color.
- Curcumin is the main healthy, anti-inflammatory compound in turmeric.
- The scientific name for turmeric is Curcuma longa (thus the curcumin benefit); its higher classification is called Hidden Lilies, as the plant produces a most beautiful lily when in full bloom.
- Turmeric is used as both flavoring and coloring, particularly in Asian/Indian cuisine, and for fabric dye and cosmetics dye as well. It is popular around the world.
- Curry powder is prepared from turmeric, cumin and fenugreek, often used as a condiment.
- Cumin is a ground seed spice derived from the parsley family, not directly related to turmeric/curcumin or curry.
Turmeric is today found in many wonderful foods to add value to your health and spice to your life. Whether you desire 90-second organic turmeric brown rice or a delicious organic turmeric drink, with or without cinnamon, there are so many on-the-go options to love. Healthee.com is an amazing place to start for turmeric rice and turmeric drinks with no added ingredients. Get turmeric for health right here.