Turmeric, the spice that is a super food
It not only takes care of giving a spicy touch or a curious taste , that makes you travel to the ends of the earth, but it hides much more than we believe.
In Viviendosanos, we will teach you everything you need to know, from discovering what turmeric is and its properties and benefits .
What is turmeric?
Turmeric comes from a plant called Curcuma longa , whose common name is turmeric that we know of and comes from the family of zingiberáceas , a spice that appeared in southwest India.
Used for hundreds of years, this plant attracted attention because it was a perennial plant, which reached a height of one meter. Its flowers are hermaphrodite and are zygomorphs and triples. It grows in warm temperatures, as it gives fruits and grows strong in environments with a temperature of between 20-30 degrees Celsius and in addition, need lots of rain , abundant, to grow.
But the plant itself is not what we know in kitchens like turmeric, because even if the plant is called that way, it is not the flower or the leaves that we are interested in using in the kitchen, but its rhizomes or roots.
These are very branched and their woody aspect, of color is yellow or orange intense and very aromatic. The root of the curcuma longa is what is used in kitchens. At first, you can confuse it with ginger, which is another root, woody and cylindrical in appearance that is also used in cooking, but although ginger has incredible properties , turmeric also draws attention to its properties and benefits .
Curcumin, the essence of turmeric
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Turmeric contains many medicinal compounds that are called curcuminoids, of which the most important is curcumin . Its presence in turmeric is very slight, about 3% by weight.
Curcumin is an active biological agent that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties . The problem we found is that our body is not able to absorb curcumin so we recommend that you use black pepper to improve absorption. But as it is fat soluble it is best to consume it with food rich in fat.
Turmeric, the spice that is a super food
It is known as super food or superfoods to those foods that in spite of ingesting them in few amounts contribute a great amount of nutrients to the organism. In this article you will find much more information about what they are and what their benefits are in detail:
WHAT ARE SUPERFOODS?
Then you will be able to read about the properties and benefits of turmeric that have promoted this spice to be considered as a super food, multi-level benefits that can improve your health.
If you want to know what other foods you can combine to boost your benefits, I leave this other article:
TOP 40 SUPER FOODS
Properties of Turmeric
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As we said, turmeric is not only limited to giving some color, flavor and, of course, a spicy touch has a number of properties that surely interest you and start to use it in the kitchen, since as a remedy Natural, is infallible. Surely you are interested in the following properties of turmeric .
Anti-inflammatory
Digestive
Antioxidant
Detoxifying
Protective
Antidepressant
For the immune system
Undoubtedly some of the most curious properties for a root that has been breeding underground and whose appearance does not end up being very attractive. But just add a little turmeric to your dishes, you will get these properties in each of your meals.
Benefits of Turmeric
Thanks to the properties that turmeric presents, undoubtedly, it translates into incredible benefits. And make no mistake, because the following benefits of turmeric, you will be surprised. You may also be interested in knowing the properties and benefits of Birch
Benefits of Turmeric: Digestive System
Without a doubt, the best ally for your digestive system, not only because it helps you to maintain a correct functioning, but also covers everything related to the digestion of food. Because it is somewhat spicy, when it reaches the stomach, it begins to secrete more juices, creating a stomach protector of the food that arrives, which translates into the best of digestion, avoiding being heavy. With lemon and warm water and some ginger, it's the best.
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It acts as a toner for the stomach as it helps the stomach to function properly. It is recommended with people with dyspepsia or slow digestions, in addition to those who present chronic gastritis, where the stomach secretions, glow by their absence and therefore makes the digestions so complicated.
It is recommended to avoid gas or those who have difficulty in getting out, who give stitches in the abdominal area and that become painful.
Benefits of Turmeric: Liver
It has a very potent protective effect on the liver, protecting it. For centuries turmeric has been used to protect liver and other diseases and because of its hepatoprotective properties, the liver can perform its functions correctly. Great contribution has the properties, which stimulate the production of glutathione, which is the natural antioxidant .
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Some studies, which studied its detoxifying, protective and antioxidant properties, were able to see how turmeric can help remove gall stones and also help drain and empty the gallbladder.
Thanks to the recomposition of its functions, the liver will help to eliminate fats from the body, because it will be able to metabolize them more easily. And it also protects the liver from diseases like cirrhosis, fatty liver , high cholesterol, jaundice ...
Benefits of Turmeric: Inflammation of Tissues
Perfect for those who suffer arthritis because the tissues have become stiff and lack mobility. They help to recover the flexibility of the tissues and relieve pain significantly.
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Inflammation is necessary to protect our body from bacteria and repair damage, although it is beneficial can also be a problem if the inflammation becomes chronic. Curcumin blocks the NF-KB molecule (this molecule activates genes associated with inflammation). Curcumin is very effective and has no side effects, therefore it is a bioactive substance that at the molecular level fights against inflammation.
Without a doubt, thanks to these anti-inflammatory properties , turmeric is perfect for those who present complications in their joints and mucus such as: carpal tunnel, Crohn's intestinal diseases, menstrual pain ...
Benefits of Turmeric: Antidepressant
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They have a list of compounds that are responsible for stimulating the nervous system, attenuating the physiological consequences caused by stress and can greatly affect people.
When levels of NDFD are reduced, curcumin helps increase them. Several studies show that it is as effective as the prozac antidepressant, it also increases the brain neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine , these chemicals begin to decrease when the person goes into depression.
Benefits of Turmeric: Tumors
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As a natural remedy, to strengthen the body's defense and recovery, its anti-tumor properties of turmeric have been recognized because it is high in curcumin, curcuminoids, beta-carotenes, curcumenol ... whose properties are anticancer and aid in recovery after treatment against The cancer . It helps the body to overcome the effects of treatment.
As you can see, turmeric is not only an exotic spice that is gradually being installed in our kitchens, thanks to human knowledge and the opening of our minds to innovations, but this spice is full of surprises and every day, they leave Discovering that we should have introduced it a long time ago.
Curcumin has beneficial effects on the growth, development, and extent of cancer at the molecular level. That is, it can reduce angiogenesis , new blood vessels in tumors, metastasis , spread of cancer by the body and helps kill cancer cells . With a high dose can help prevent the onset of cancer (especially the digestive system).
Benefits of Curcumin: Natural Antioxidant
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Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals (reactive molecules that cause oxidation and damage proteins, DNA and lipids), that is, they prevent oxidation and, therefore, cell damage. In the case of curcumin, what it does is neutralize free radicals and stimulate the body's antioxidant enzymes.
Benefits of Curcumin: Activates Brain Function
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF is a hormone that drives the growth and increase of neurons in the brain. Some brain disorders have been linked to decreased levels of the FNDC hormone . The effect of curcumin in our body is that it increases the levels of BDNF, that is, it delays brain diseases and reductions in brain function associated with aging.
Benefits of Curcumin: Prevents Alzheimer's
Free radials cause diseases like Alzheimer's causing inflammation and oxidative damage. As we have seen a little above, curcumin is positive to treat these problems, so it can prevent Alzheimer's. The main cause of this disease is the accumulation of amyloid plate proteins.
Curcumin-benefits
Benefits of Curcumin: Heart Disease
Reduces the risk of heart disease. The main cause of heart disease is the inability of the endothelium to regulate blood pressure and blood clotting , ie, endothelial dysfunction. The endothelium covers all blood vessels and curcumin improves endothelial function, further reduces inflammation and oxidation.
