You read that right: turmeric, that famous bright yellow spice you eat in curry is also a supplement that can help your body function better. In fact, it has been used in ancient India as a medicine long before modern medicine became the standard. Learn more about how turmeric reduces inflammation and keeps your blood sugar stable. You can see the slow progression of turmeric as a modest powder treating burns and stomach pains to a great supplement that thousands of people use today.
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Turmeric Reduces Inflammation
Turmeric can’t completely replace medications like NSAIDs, or anti-inflammatory drugs, but it does reduce inflammation in your cells. This improves your heart and brain health, so your pulse is normal and so are your brain functions. Anti-inflammatories also reduce the effects of Alzheimer’s. Studies have shown that anti-inflammatories stop and can even reverse the side effects of Alzheimer’s, including memory loss and motor problems. It helps by preventing brain damage by maintaining cells in your brain, keeping them healthy. The spice itself isn’t what contains the anti-inflammatory properties: the chemical curcumin, found in turmeric, does all the work. Curcumin comes from the turmeric root, and gives turmeric its bright hue.
Turmeric Regulates Blood Sugar Levels
Due to its antioxidant properties, turmeric is able to keep your blood sugar at a healthy, stable level. If you have high blood sugar, it can result in diabetes, or inflammatory diseases and bacteria growth. If you have low blood sugar, you feel fatigued, faint, weak and nauseous. Keeping your blood sugar stable also regulates your blood pressure. It can lead to faster blood clotting in case you get a cut. Healthy blood sugar levels and low blood pressure help prevent contracting heart disease.
Turmeric Has An Ancient Past
What, exactly does Ayurvedic medicine have to do with all this? Ayurvedic medicine is ancient Indian medicine used for thousands of years. Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit words “life” and “science.” They use many different herbs and meditation techniques to heal both the body and the soul. In ancient times, the root was ground up and put into food to be eaten, or mixed with water to form a paste to cover and heal wounds. Then, it was used to ease digestion, heal infections and wounds, get rid of parasites and worms, and as a pain relief. Modern research has shown that its natural inflammatory abilities and antioxidants does indeed assist in all these categories. Nowadays, the best way to get enough turmeric is to take a turmeric supplement. Because it was usually used in cooking, and is still a huge part of traditional Indian recipes, there usually is an added teaspoon or two of black pepper in the food. Turmeric is better absorbed with pepper, so make sure to use it as well if you’re cooking with it. Today, supplements contain piperine, or black pepper extract, to make up for that fact.
Wrapping Up
Turmeric is an amazing spice that is used in both cooking and as a medicine. It can help regulate your blood sugar, stimulate your cell growth, and even help prevent Alzheimer’s. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine since the start of the Common Era, and has many helpful properties to help heal the whole body. Whether you’re using this spice in your cooking or taking it as a supplement, your body will thank you for taking turmeric.