The amazing health benefits of turmeric
The herbs and spices in your pantry can do more than just enhance the flavor of the dishes you make. In fact, studies have found that you can use these natural ingredients to support your overall health.
Many of these edible plants are widely used as natural remedies, and their effectiveness has been proven by multiple studies.
One classic example of a spice with a history of use as traditional remedies is turmeric. Turmeric is one of the primary spices found in curry. It’s also a popular medicinal herb used in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). [1]
Ayurvedic healers believe that turmeric can support skin health, respiratory health and liver health. TCM practitioners also use turmeric for the same purposes. [2]
Research on the medicinal properties of turmeric links its beneficial effects to an active compound known as curcumin. This compound can be found in abundance in turmeric’s roots.
Because of curcumin’s potency and health benefits, supplements containing either turmeric or isolated curcumin are two of the best-selling health products today.
So, what exactly can turmeric and its active component, curcumin, do for your health? Here’s the lowdown on the benefits they offer.
Everything you need to know about turmeric and curcumin
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) belongs to the same family as other popular spices like ginger and cardamom. Besides being versatile culinary ingredients, another thing these edible plants have in common is their wealth of medicinal uses. Both turmeric and ginger have stomach-soothing and digestion-promoting properties, and they’re also great for relieving discomfort. [3]
Turmeric root also resembles ginger root in terms of outward appearance, but its flesh has a more vibrant color that ranges from a bright yellow to a golden orange. Its distinct color is what earned turmeric the names “Indian saffron” and “golden spice.”
Over the years, researchers have learned plenty of things about turmeric that make it a very special herb. To date, more than 100 compounds have been isolated from turmeric.
Among these compounds are the curcuminoids that give it its beautiful color. Curcumin belongs to this family of phenolic compounds that function – among other things – as natural antioxidants. Your body benefits from these molecules because they help protect your cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radical damage is one of the biggest contributors to the development of many chronic diseases. [4]
Turmeric contains about 5 to 6 percent curcumin and the rest is a diverse mixture of bioactive components. These include aroma and flavor compounds, plus a variety of essential and nonessential nutrients. [5] According to nutritional analysis, you can get the following dietary components per 100 grams (g) of turmeric:
- Total fat, 10 g
- Energy, 390 kcal
- Carbohydrates, 69.9 g
- Dietary fiber, 21 g
- Sugars, 3 g
- Protein, 8 g
- Calcium, 0.2 g
- Iron, 47.5 mg
- Niacin, 4.8 mg
- Phosphorus, 0.26 g
- Potassium, 2.5 g
- Riboflavin, 0.19 mg
- Sodium, 10 mg
- Thiamine, 0.9 mg
- Vitamin C, 50 mg
Turmeric also contains manganese, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids, most notably alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is an essential fat that promotes optimal cardiovascular health by supporting the proper functions of your blood vessels. [6]
A study published in Biochemica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Molecular Basis of Disease also reveals that curcumin promotes the body’s production of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from ALA. DHA is another essential fatty acid that supports healthy brain and liver functions. [7]
Here are some other health benefits you can expect from turmeric and its active component, curcumin:*
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Supports healthy bones and joints – Cells use oxygen to create energy. But in doing so, they also generate free radicals, which can accumulate inside the body. When the number of antioxidants you produce is not enough to neutralize these reactive molecules, the result is oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can trigger inflammation that can damage your bones and joints. [8][9] To prevent this from happening, you need to maintain healthy antioxidant levels. Turmeric is rich in antioxidant compounds that can help your body fight oxidative stress
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Promotes normal cholesterol levels – Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is important to keep your heart and blood vessels healthy. If you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can end up clogging your arteries, resulting in a heart attack or stroke. According to a study published in the Nutrition Journal, curcumin can help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels already within the normal range. [10]
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Supports a healthy immune system – Thanks to its impressive antioxidant content, turmeric can provide reliable immune support. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Immunology also suggests that curcumin can support a healthy immune system. [11]
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Supports healthy, glowing skin – Turmeric is packed with essential nutrients, such as vitamins B1, B2, B3 and C, that can nourish your skin and help it maintain a healthy glow. The antioxidants in turmeric can also help protect your skin cells from damage caused by free radicals.
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Uplifts mood – Research has found that curcumin has beneficial effects on the brain that allows it to promote a positive mood. [12] A study published in the Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences also confirmed curcumin’s ability to uplift your mood. [13]
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Promotes a healthy digestive system – Ayurvedic healers have been using turmeric for digestive support for more than 4,000 years. Modern research has found ample evidence that supports the use of turmeric for digestive health. [14][15]
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Supports sensible weight management goals – Besides promoting healthy digestion, a study published in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences found that curcumin can also support sensible weight management goals if you combine turmeric supplementation with a healthy diet and regular exercise. [16]
- Supports the body’s natural ability to eliminate toxins – As a natural chelating agent, curcumin has the natural ability to bind to metals and other toxic substances. [17]
Where to get clean, high-quality and certified organic turmeric products
To make turmeric root consumable, it is first dried and then ground into a fine powder. Although curry powders contain turmeric, the amount of curcumin you’ll get from them is not enough for you to enjoy its wonderful benefits. A study published in Nutrition and Cancer recommends taking pure turmeric powder since it contains the highest amount of curcumin among all turmeric products available on the market. [18]
But not all turmeric products can be trusted. Many turmeric raw materials are contaminated with lead and bacteria that can cause serious problems instead of supporting your health. But here at the Health Ranger Store, we put our raw materials through a rigorous quality checklist to ensure the cleanliness and quality of our turmeric products. This checklist covers everything, from how the organic turmeric root was harvested to how it was ultimately transformed into powder.
Health Ranger Select Organic Turmeric Root Powder is one of the cleanest high-quality turmeric powders you’ll find on the market. It is made from 100% certified-organic raw turmeric root grown in pristine regions of India. Our product is gluten-free, non-China, non-GMO, vegan and certified Kosher and organic. It is also lab-verified and free of any fillers, artificial sweeteners and additives. As with all our products, our organic turmeric root powder is meticulously lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
To improve the bioavailability of curcumin, combine turmeric with the “king of spices,” black pepper. Black pepper is a rich source of piperine, which has been found to enhance the absorption of curcumin by up to 2,000%. [19] Our Health Ranger Select Organic Turmeric Root Powder + Health Ranger Select Organic Ground Black Pepper Combo Pack allows you to maximize the health benefits of curcumin with the help of naturally occurring piperine. Our organic turmeric root powder and organic ground black pepper are loaded with beneficial nutrients that make them perfect for spicing up any dish and supporting your overall health. These products are non-GMO, vegan, certified Kosher and organic, and lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
For those looking for a turmeric supplement in liquid form, we also offer Health Ranger’s Organic Turmeric Gold Liquid Extract. Our newest breakthrough formula is rich in curcumin and extracted using non-GMO vegetable glycerin. One serving (1/4 teaspoon) of this premium supplement is equivalent to 550 mg of raw turmeric extract. Our turmeric gold liquid extract tastes like sweet curry and has a far higher absorbability than most turmeric supplements and powders.
You can also experience the combined potency of organic turmeric root, organic black pepper and organic ginger root with Health Ranger Select Organic Turmeric Gold PLUS. This liquid dietary supplement is specially formulated to maximize the three organic spices’ individual health benefits. Our organic turmeric gold liquid extract and organic turmeric gold PLUS formulas are vegan, non-China, certified organic and contain no gluten, alcohol or GMOs. They are also meticulously lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Invest in your health today with clean, high-quality and certified organic turmeric products!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any diseases.
References
[1] https://www.nccih.nih.gov/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[3]https://www.eatingwell.com/
[4] https://www.livescience.com/
[5] https://www.sciencedirect.com/
[7] https://www.sciencedirect.com/
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
[9] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
[10] https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/
[11] https://link.springer.com/
[12] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com
[13] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
[14] https://www.healthline.com/
[15] http://repository.ias.ac.in/
[16] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
[17] https://www.sciencedirect.com/
