Amongst the list of spices used in various world cuisines, turmeric is a core spice, which is indispensable, however, it is still nudging its way to be perceived for its nutritional and health benefits.
Turmeric, a member of the ginger family, is one spice that has been used for centuries for its medicinal and healing properties in Southeast Asia, particularly in India and China, and now is a rave in the superfood category.
Turmeric is the root spice that gives curry powder its distinctive yellow colour. The Golden Glory of turmeric is due to the active compound ‘Curcumin’, which has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Health Benefits:
- Turmeric reduces the free radical damage caused by oxidative stress.
- It is known to treat and relieve inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.
- It is commonly used by Asian therapists to strengthen liver function.
- Turmeric plays a major role to boost the immune system.
- It prevents the formation of blood clots and thereby helps lower the risk of heart diseases.
- It aids in the prevention and treatment of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, to name a few.
- The antiviral and antifungal properties in turmeric help to treat colds and coughs.
- Turmeric also has natural food preservative properties.
Turmeric is the most common and widely used spice in the form of powder, which is used in marinades, curries, and to make golden hue milk. Fresh turmeric is used in the form of vegetable preparation. Apart from its culinary uses, it is widely prescribed as a health supplement in capsule form (curcumin powder) or as a liquid extract.
The absorption of Curcumin is at its best when combined with bromelain (an enzyme in pineapple) and piperine (the component in black pepper).
So, let us not consider this golden super spice, just as a natural food colorant but rather also bask in its nutrifying glory and make our lives healthy and pompous.
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