Turmeric and curry are popular spices that people use in cooking around the world. These spices are very common in India, Japan, England, Thailand, the Middle East, and South Asia. Turmeric is commonly used for medicinal purposes as well. These spices add an incredible earthy flavour to Indian dishes, meanwhile providing essential health benefits for users.
We’ve put together the common benefits of turmeric and curry on a human’s health to help you understand better the importance of these spices.
The Importance of Turmeric
Let’s start with the benefits of turmeric, but before that, we should understand what this spice is and how it tastes. Turmeric has been named the golden spice, as it provides the beautiful yellow colour of curry chicken. The active ingredient of turmeric is curcumin which gives the vibrant yellow colour and delicious flavour.
Curcuma longa or turmeric is a part of the ginger family. Its rhizomes are used in cooking and for medicinal purposes. The aroma of turmeric is earthy and the flavour is bitter, black pepper-like, and warm. Turmeric is a ubiquitous spice that is used to make curry powder. Curcumin is a key component of turmeric, and curcuminoids are thought to be responsible for the spice’s health benefits.
Benefits of Turmeric
The benefits listed below have been proved through small trials, however, they are not guaranteed and further research needs to be conducted.
Here are some of the common benefits of turmeric.
1. Natural Anti-Inflammatory And Antioxidant
Turmeric can fight against inflammation. Long-term inflammation and oxidative stress are being recognized as underlying causes in a variety of major diseases, including heart disease and diabetes. Curcumin has been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory properties, inhibiting the function of inflammatory molecules in the body. People with arthritis may benefit from the spice’s natural anti-inflammatory effect since it may lessen the pain they experience in their joints. That’s why turmeric sometimes is also considered a pain reliever.
Also, curcumin is a powerful antioxidant. As you know, antioxidants are essential for protecting your body from free radicals. Turmeric’s antioxidant impact appears to be so strong that it may protect against liver injury.
2. Treat Alzheimer’s disease
There are treatments for Alzheimer’s symptoms, but no cure for it yet. That is why the first thing to do is to prevent it from happening. As you know some causes of Alzheimer’s disease may be inflammation and oxidative damage, and as mentioned above curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It can prevent inflammation and the formation of protein plaques in the brain, both of which are common in Alzheimer’s disease patients.
3. Anti-Cancer Effects
Many studies demonstrate that inflammatory system dysfunction may cause cancer development. Curcumin has been proven to have anti-cancer properties in a few laboratory experiments on cancer cells. It appears to be able to kill cancer cells while also preventing new ones from forming. Stomach cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, bowel cancer cells respond well to it. The studies should be continued, to prove that it can treat cancer in humans.
The Importance of Curry
Curry powder is a spice blend that includes turmeric, ginger, cumin, coriander, chilli powder, pepper, fenugreek seeds, cardamom, etc. It can contain over 20 various spices. The spice gives a warm and robust flavour to Indian dishes. By being a mixture of various spices, curry can also have health benefits.
Benefits of Curry
Here are the essential benefits of curry, however further studies are conducted for more proof. The curry powder includes turmeric as one of the main ingredients and it may have similar health benefits.
1. Heart Health
Turmeric in curry can control blood pressure. How? Curcumin protects and improves endothelial function. The dysfunction of this increases the risk of strokes and heart attacks. That’s why curcumin may result in lowering your risk of heart disease. Still, studies continue in this sphere for more proven facts.
Also, vasodilators like cardamom and sweet basil found in curry powder, have an effect on proteins that lower blood vessel tension. This lowers blood pressure, which reduces the risk of a variety of cardiovascular diseases.
2. Antibacterial Effects
Coriander, a well-known component of most curry powders around the world, is popular for fighting against bacterial infections, especially E. coli, and other intestinal diseases. As a result, eating a sufficient quantity of curry powder can keep your immune system strong in its fight against bacteria.
3. Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
Curry powder may aid in the maintenance of normal blood sugar levels. Despite the need for more research, one study indicated that people who eat more curry powder have lower blood sugar levels. It’s due to the curcumin present in turmeric. The study showed that the moderate curry consumption group had significantly lower blood glucose and triglyceride levels than the low curry consumption group.
These were some of the benefits of turmeric and curry, however, remember that each medicine also has its side effects. Before consuming curry or turmeric for medical purposes, consult with your doctor.
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