What Are the Benefits of Turmeric?

Turmeric, yes, the vibrant yellow spice found in Asian cuisine and loved by nearly everyone on the planet. We all know it’s good for us, but the question is, just how good is it for us and how exactly does it benefit the body. This is something that we’ll discover more about together in today’s blog post, so let’s dive in and find out more together about the health benefits of turmeric.

Used for centuries in cooking, cosmetics, traditional medicine, and even fabric dyeing. The root of turmeric itself is highly effective, but the extract of curcumin found in the powerhouse ingredient not only gives turmeric its famous vibrant colour but contains a plethora of health benefits. These include such things as anti-inflammatory properties, as well as antioxidant effects, we’ll go into more detail about this, so without further a due, let’s get to the bottom of the health benefits turmeric can provide for the body.

What are the health benefits of turmeric in the body?

As I have already mentioned, there is such a vast amount of health benefits of turmeric you’ll be hard pressed to find a way that this powerhouse extract doesn’t benefit the body. Here are some of the main benefits you can expect to see developing over time. 

1. Turmeric is packed with antioxidants

The extracts of curcumin in turmeric have been proven to effectively combat free radicals with great ease. Free radicals are active molecules that when encounter the skin and body causes damage to the cells. This can result in several problems, from inflammation of the bowels, worsening of conditions such as arthritis, as well as many skin concerns, such as signs of ageing and sun damage.

2. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory

Inflammation in general should not be mistaken as a problem for the body to experience. It is in fact a natural process that occurs when the body needs to fight off harmful invaders, such as bacteria and viruses whilst healing injuries more rapidly. However, long-term inflammation is something that needs to be avoided as this can often mean there is a severe problem with heart disease and cancer. Turmeric can identify long-term inflammation and begin the process of reducing and calming the concern.

3. Turmeric can improve brain function

With the amount of evidence demonstrating how a daily intake of turmeric, especially the curcumin extract can improve the amount of blood to the brain and reducing inflammation. This inflammation is a result of a build-up of protein on the brain that are often the outcome of Alzheimer’s disease. You will also find that curcumin is able to help prevent depression and other mood disorders resulting in the superfood providing all over improvement in mood, lowering feelings of anxiety and targeting signs of depression.

4. Turmeric has anti-cancer traits

There have been a lot of evidence taken from human and animal studies demonstrating the effects of turmeric on cancer. It has shown that it can reduce the speed at which the cancer grows and prevents any further development. There are still several studies underway to find out the full effects of turmeric and its anti-cancer traits. 

Is it safe to take turmeric every day?

It is perfectly safe to take turmeric every day, however there is lacking evidence of what the long-term effects are of taking supplements. It’s generally considered safe to take in small doses, but everyone is different and as I have already mentioned, ensure you consult with a doctor before you introduce turmeric into your daily routine. It's best to stay on the safe side as although turmeric is highly effective at delivering benefits for the body, it is also known for interfering with certain types of medication and underlying health conditions.

If you are wanting to find out more about how much turmeric you should take each day, check out our dedicated blog post.

What are the negative effects of turmeric?

There is an array of negative effects that can occur when taking turmeric such as,

• Constipation
• Dyspepsia
• Diarrhoea
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach cramps
• Increased risk of kidney stones forming
• Headaches
• Dizziness

These plus others that are considered more severe, such as turmeric interfering with medications, like antidepressants, antibiotics and those undergoing chemotherapy treatment. These conditions are serious and turmeric supplements should only be used after you have received the go ahead from your doctor. 

How much turmeric should you take a day?

If you are taking turmeric in liquid form, it is thought that ½ to 1.5 teaspoons of the powder will be enough for the body to absorb. If you are taking turmeric as supplement capsules, you’ll find that the formula should contain no more than 600mg of the extract. Just a word of warning to always check the instructions on the packaging as all products are different with various concentrates of turmeric are available. 

Who should not take turmeric?

Turmeric is a natural extract that has been used in many ways for hundreds of years. As effective as it is at delivering endless benefits there are some who should avoid taking turmeric all together. Below are examples of those who should not take turmeric. 

• Those suffering from gallbladder problems
• Anyone who has a bleeding disorder
• Those with diabetes of any form
• Anyone who suffers from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Those with infertility concerns
• People with iron deficiency
• Those who have liver problems
• Anyone with hormone sensitive conditions

It is also recommended to avoid turmeric if you are pregnant or have recently undergone surgery of any sort.

What can turmeric do to your face?

The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric are just as effective on the skin as they are on the body. If you find your skin is looking dull and lack lustre with signs of uneven skin tone as well as concerns with ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles, turmeric may be the answer. Applying skincare products enriched in turmeric will help revive the skin and restore it to its healthiest state with an all-over glowing complexion.

There you have a little information about the health and skin benefits of turmeric. Don’t forget to come and follow us on Instagram for more, we look forward to seeing you there!