Curcumin is an active ingredient found in turmeric. Tumeric is a popular spice used in Indian cooking that gives food a deep yellow color. A pinch of this spice added to a cup of milk is known to provide relief from pains, aches, common cold, and coughs. In the last few years, medical researchers have developed an interest in the medical benefits of this wonder spice with preliminary research indicating that it can be beneficial in preventing and controlling a number of health conditions.
Its Health Benefits
Researchers have been able to prove that the daily consumption of Curcumin has numerous benefits ranging from keeping away some of the problems associated with aging to remedying other life-threatening conditions. These benefits include:
May Help Prevent Cancer
Of course, the most significant benefit of Curcumin is its ability to help stave off the development of cancer. A study conducted on animals showed that a dose of Curcumin each day was able to prevent skin, colon and breast cancer. This can possibly be due to its antioxidant properties that fight free radicals which is a major cause of cancer development. Whether the same effect can be replicated on human beings is, however, yet to be discovered.
Effective in Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
In Eastern Asia, turmeric has always been used to remedy the pain that results from the different types of arthritis. It was administered through topical application as well as ingestion. Curcumin controls the inflammation caused by osteoarthritis because it has strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Boosts Immune System
Turmeric has often been quite effective in taking care of coughs and common cold. This is due to the fact it contains Curcumin in abundance, a compound that has great antioxidant properties that also increases the strength of our immune systems making us less prone to illnesses.
Lowers Cholesterol
Another great benefit of Curcumin lies in its ability to lower the ‘bad’ cholesterol while increasing the ‘good’ cholesterol. This goes a long way in preventing problems such as chronic heart diseases and high blood pressure. It can equally help prevent the development of atherosclerosis, a condition in which the arteries harden and then cause heart problems.
May Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
There is an ongoing research about the possibility of Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties being effective in staving off or delaying the development of Alzheimer’s disease. There is also a school of thought to the effect that regular consumption of Curcumin may delay the development of several other neurological diseases.
Controls Diabetes
Studies done on diabetic animals have shown that there was a considerable reduction of the major diabetes symptoms in them over a short period of time. Other benefits of Curcumin include:
It aids in the detoxification of the liver by clearing it of harmful toxins that may be due to factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, ingestion of certain medicines and chemical poisoning.
Since it triggers an increase in bile production, it can cure problems of acute indigestion.
May help improve kidney functioning, and also prevents the development of kidney illnesses.
Known Side Effects
It has no major side effects save for the few complications when consumed in excess, such as heartburn and increased amount of heat in the body.
Curcumin can be taken in its natural form, as turmeric, or via the several supplements available in the market. The supplements may be the better option because Curcumin derived from organic foods may not be sufficient to provide all aforementioned benefits. It still however remains one of the best herbal remedies for common health conditions that afflict humanity.
