9 Benefits of Eating Turmeric
Here is a summary of the most interesting healing properties of turmeric powder, many of which have been tested by scientific studies:
1.- Allergies: Curcumin, the main active compound in turmeric root powder , has been reported to inhibit The release of histamine from mast cells. As histamine can trigger outbreaks of eczema, turmeric is a great food for those who suffer from eczema.
2.- Benefits on the skin: Ayurvedic healers and other practitioners of traditional medicine have used it to treat some skin diseases, including acne and psoriasis.
3.- Benefits in arthritis: Numerous studies have documented the strong anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritis properties of turmeric powder . According to a study published in the November 2006 issue of the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism, the three main curcuminoids in turmeric are responsible for their effects against arthritis.
4. Anticancer Effects: The turmericIt can also be one of the best foods that fight cancer. Both in vitro and in animal studies have shown curcumin has broad anti-cancer activity. For example, curcumin appears to be able to identify possible cancer cells and induce the self-destruction of such harmful cells (a process known as "apoptosis"). Turmeric compounds may also be able to inhibit the harmful effects of nitrosamines and aflatoxins, two compounds that have been associated with an increased risk of various types of cancer.
5. Cardiovascular Benefits: An animal study published in the February 2008 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that curcumin from turmeric Can prevent and even reverse cardiac hypertrophy (abnormal enlargement of the heart).
6.- Turmeric in H. pilory gastritis: A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology in 2005 found that 8 of the 25 plants tested were able to destroy Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in test tubes. H. pylori is a pathogenic bacterium that can cause peptic ulcers and even stomach cancer. Among the eight plants that destroyed H. pylori, turmeric was the most effective in killing H. pylori, followed by cumin, ginger, and chili.
7.- Turmeric and ulcerative colitis: The December 2006 issue of the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology reported the results of a study that found that turmeric was effective in preventing the recurrence of ulcerative colitis. All patients recruited for this study were symptom free at the start of the trial. Of the 43 patients who received curcumin (plus sulfasalazine or mesalamine) daily during the 6-month trial, only 2 (or 5%) experienced an asthma attack. In contrast, 8 of 39 patients who received a placebo (in addition to sulfasalazine or mesalamine) experienced a relapse.
8.- Curcumin could improve the health of the eyes:Cataracts are a leading cause of adult blindness. Certain diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, can accelerate the development of cataracts in susceptible people, while certain nutrients and phytochemicals may help prevent the development of cataracts. A study published in the July 2005 issue of Molecular Vision, for example, found that curcumin was able to delay the progression and maturation of cataracts in diabetic rats.
9.- Turmeric and Alzheimer's disease:Alzheimer's disease, characterized by cognitive impairment and dementia, is the sixth leading cause of death in the US. The incidence of this neurodegenerative disease is much lower in India, where turmeric root is commonly consumed In the form of curry. This observation led a team of Singaporean scientists to examine the relationship between curry consumption and cognitive function in Asian seniors. Their findings, published in the November 2006 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology, were interesting but not surprising: study participants who ate curry "occasionally" and "often or very often" had higher scores on the MMSE (Measures of cognitive function) than those who "never or hardly ever" ate curry.
