There’s two people when it comes to turmeric, the type who orders, “a turmeric latte with almond milk.” And the other who rolls their eyes when they hear that person’s order because they don’t understand why this golden powder is such a trend.
We’re here to tell you that it’s more than just popularity on Instagram that makes turmeric so cool; it has some pretty profound applications beyond spicing up your curry, and colouring foods and cosmetics. The health benefits of this ancient ingredient are seriously worth making note of.
What is turmeric?
Turmeric, the root-like stem of the Curcuma longa plant, belongs to the ginger family and is native to India and Southeast Asia. When dried and in powder form, it provides an earthy, warm, and slightly bitter-ginger taste, and offers a plethora of advantages as a health supplement.
What makes turmeric so good for you?
To get the best effects that turmeric can offer, a chemical compound called Curcumin is the secret that makes all the difference with its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (13 times higher than blueberries). The higher the curcumin percentage in your turmeric, the better.
Let’s take a look at the many proven health benefits of turmeric:
1. Reduces joint inflammation and stiffness
Traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat arthritis, turmeric is catching on in the Western world with the Arthritis Foundation citing several studies that ascertained turmeric “has anti-inflammatory properties and modifies immune system responses.”
2.Aids in pain relief
A 2008 study claims that curcumin in turmeric provided as good pain relief as ibuprofen does in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
3.May help to reduce cancer growth
Many studies have shown that curcumin has cancer-suppressing properties. It is a unique idea for potential treatment as it specifically targets cancerous cells, reducing growth and inhibiting reproduction but leaves healthy cells untouched.
4. It’s great for your gut
Turmeric has long been used as digestive agent, improving gut permeability and playing an important anti-inflammatory role. It’s currently being explored as a treatment for gastrointestinal disorders so watch this space!
5. Detoxes your liver
Turmeric isn’t the sort of magical cure that will help your liver forget all the glasses of wine you put it through last Friday, but it is powerful enough to reportedly alleviate liver damage. This 2016 study proves that turmeric extract’s antioxidant abilities seriously reduce the risk of your liver being damaged by toxins.
What’s the 411 with taking turmeric and black pepper together?
Turmeric is still great on its own but you may have heard that if you want maximum benefits (yes, please!) it’s best ingested with black pepper. Black pepper contains an active compound called piperine which stops your body from breaking down the molecules called curcuminoids which group together to make curcumin (aka the good stuff) and encourages your liver to absorb 2000% more curcumin into the blood stream, this 1998 study says!
Our Tumeric Factors supplement has high dose Tumeric, which is 95% curcumin, the beneficial component. For more info click here or to get some personalised micro nutrient recommendations through our nutritionist designed online questionnaire.