Various Benefits of Turmeric for Body Health

The benefits of turmeric for body health have been believed for a long time and are often used as traditional medicine. This is because of the curcumin content found in turmeric rhizomes. In addition to giving color to turmeric, curcumin is also thought to have good properties for body health.

Turmeric Nutritional Content

The benefits of turmeric are inseparable from the nutritional content in it. Every 100 grams of turmeric contains the following nutrients:

• 9 carbohydrates.
• 2 grams of protein.
• 405 milligrams of potassium.
• 78 milligrams of phosphorus.
• 24 milligrams of calcium.
• 3 milligrams of iron.
• 1 milligram of vitamin C.

In addition to the nutrients above, turmeric also contains compounds that are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial which are very beneficial for body health.

Various Benefits of Turmeric for Health

Thanks to the nutritional content mentioned above, turmeric has various health benefits, such as:

• Relieve joint pain
  Osteoarthritis is a disease that causes joints to become painful, stiff, and lose their flexibility. Research shows that consuming turmeric extract can reduce pain because this spice has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The research even states that the effect of turmeric is almost the same as ibuprofen in treating osteoarthritis.
• Prevent heart disease
  Turmeric can make the endothelium or blood vessel walls more relaxed and elastic so that blood flow can be smoother. Thanks to these benefits, turmeric is also good for consumption to prevent heart disease. In addition, turmeric also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can prevent plaque formation in blood vessels and stiff blood vessels (atherosclerosis).
• Improves skin health
  Due to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, consuming turmeric can treat various skin problems, including acne, eczema, and psoriasis. The benefits of turmeric for skin are also known to help speed up the healing of wounds on the skin by reducing inflammation.
• Relieve menstrual disorders
  Studies show that supplements containing curcumin can relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Not only that, the benefits of turmeric are also known to relieve cramps that are commonly experienced by women during menstruation.
• Overcoming digestive tract disorders
  Curcumin contained in turmeric has been proven effective in overcoming various digestive tract disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dyspepsia, gastric ulcers, and pancreatitis. In addition, turmeric containing curcumin is also often used as an alternative appetite enhancer.
• Reduce cholesterol
  Consuming turmeric is known to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglyceride levels in the body. By controlling cholesterol levels, the body can avoid the dangers of high cholesterol, such as stroke, heart attack, or peripheral artery disease.
• Controlling blood sugar levels
  The next benefit of turmeric is that it can fight inflammation and keep blood sugar stable. Curcumin can also prevent insulin resistance which can cause various diseases, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and PCOS.
• Prevents cancer
  Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties that are known to inhibit the growth, development, and spread of cancer cells. In addition, curcumin also prevents angiogenesis, which is the formation of new blood vessels in tumors.
• Helps relieve depression
  Studies show that consuming turmeric can reduce symptoms of depression. This is thanks to the curcumin content in turmeric which can help antidepressants work better.
• Turmeric can boost the immune system
  Turmeric is one of the effective natural ingredients to help boost the body’s immune function. This is thanks to the antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial content in this spice.
• Supports Brain Health
  Turmeric contains antioxidants that can support brain health. Regular consumption of this spice can reduce inflammation in the brain, improve overall brain health, and improve memory and focus.
• Maintaining and caring for lung health
  The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric help reduce symptoms associated with chronic or long-term lung health problems. Although still limited, clinical evidence has shown that this spice is effective as a medicine for asthma, lung injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary fibrosis.
• Turmeric can protect the liver
  Turmeric also helps protect and maintain the health of the liver. The potential benefits of this herbal plant on the liver and gallbladder include helping to increase the production of bile fluid in digestion. This spice is also able to help protect cells in the liver from the risk of damage due to exposure to chemical compounds related to bile. According to a study in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the antioxidant effects of this spice can also stop various damages due to exposure to toxins. For someone who is taking certain medications to treat illnesses, there is nothing wrong with consuming it to provide protection to the liver.

In addition, there are still some benefits of turmeric that you can get, such as preventing Alzheimer’s disease, preventing diabetes, alleviating gout symptoms, and maintaining eye health. However, these benefits of turmeric still require further research to ensure its effectiveness for body health. Turmeric is also claimed to be used as a cure for appendicitis. However, this claim is just a myth. Until now, there has been no medical scientific research that confirms this.

Side Effects of Consuming Turmeric

To date, no side effects have been found from using turmeric at low doses. The study also noted that there were no side effects in people who took 490 mg of turmeric per day for a week.

However, excessive consumption of turmeric is also not good for the body. There are several side effects that can arise if turmeric is consumed excessively, such as:

• Digestive disorders, such as bloating, acid reflux, and diarrhea.
• Headache.
• Nausea.
• Skin rash.
• Risk of developing colon and liver cancer.

The benefits of turmeric for body health are indeed quite numerous. However, you still have to be careful in consuming it. Avoid excessive consumption of turmeric, either in fresh form or supplements. If you want to take turmeric supplements, choose supplements that are already registered with the FDA to ensure their safety.

If you want to consume turmeric as a companion to certain diseases, especially turmeric in supplement form, you should consult a doctor first to prevent drug interactions or side effects. Thus, you can get the maximum benefits of turmeric.