The Magic of Turmeric

Welcome dear friends,

Winter is one of the most peaceful seasons of the year. It's that time of year, between Christmas and New Year's, when our favourite stores offer huge discounts and long romantic nights where we can indulge in deliciously baked cookies and a hot cup of cocoa without feeling guilty. The winter season brings us closer to family and friends during holiday gatherings, providing an additional reason to look after yourself and your loved ones. With the common cold and cough just around the corner, one kitchen ingredient you can rely on is turmeric..Curcumin derived from this spice is a bioactive component that’s rich in antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimutagenic properties. It’s effective in treating toenail fungus since it has strong antifungal effects.  Research studies indicate that curcumin can effectively prevent fungal growth by disrupting the production of specific proteins and enzymes that facilitate its growth. Other benefits of curcumin  include: 

Slowing or stopping the growth of certain types of cancers 

Improving your cognitive capacity and helping reduce Symptoms of Alzheimer’s diseases c. Minimizing the chances of developing heart diseases 

Curcumin derived from the spice turmeric has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-viral and neurotrophic activities, so it is expected to be a therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. However, one of the main obstacles to curcumin's clinical efficacy is its low bioavailability. These benefits can be best realized when curcumin is combined with substances such as piperine, which significantly improves its bioavailability. [Sources: 3, 

    

Studies have shown that curcumin antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects can prevent several stages of heart disease, including elevated cholesterol levels. A large amount of preclinical data suggests that the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic activity of curcumin and its analogs may help prevent and/or treat type 2 diabetes.

Curcumin can inhibit many molecules known to play an important role in inflammation. Turmeric significantly increases the antioxidant capacity of the body. Oxidative damage is considered one of the mechanisms of aging and many diseases. Turmeric has antioxidant properties, and one study shows that it can protect your body from free radicals by neutralizing them.

On top of all, curcumin appears to reduce the number of pro-inflammatory compounds called cytokines, whose long-term activity can lead to inflammatory damage. Apart from its two main effects, curcumin also has antiseptic, antiviral, and anti-cancer properties.    

Note:  research study done by Tuft University students indicates that regular intake of this plant extract can help to promote weight loss. It was established that curcumin effectively suppresses fat tissues, but there is still a need for more research to establish its full effectiveness

Turmeric is a household favourite throughout the year. It is not only a good condiment but also a healer. Spicing things up with turmeric is wise since artificial flavours and chemicals are part of our food groups. The healing properties of turmeric were studied for its blood-thinning properties, reducing the risk of cancer and treating Alzheimer's

Cheers,

Santhanaraman Srikanth