Just like many other spices, turmeric has for a long time been used in traditional medicine. Apart from giving your favourite curry dishes that distinctive and vibrant yellow colour, turmeric is well known for possessing formidable anti-inflammatory and also being loaded with antioxidants. Curcumin, as you might wonder, is the main active component found in turmeric, which gives it its lively yellow pigment. Below are 12 health benefits that can be accrued from using this antioxidant compound to keep you healthy and active.

Curcumin works as a great anti-inflammatory.

This age-old spice has always been famed for fighting inflammation. However, it is important to note that this anti-inflammatory power is hugely attributed to curcumin. As a matter of fact, with the right amount, this compound could be more effective in treating inflation than other common and relatively modern medications like aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil). As most chronic diseases arise from chronic inflammations, this active ingredient helps to keep at bay diseases such as pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and arthritis.

It helps protect against heart diseases.

A recent study shows that this active component improves the functioning of the endothelial. The endothelial is a thin membrane that forms the inner lining of blood vessels and the heart. This thin membrane plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure. As the human body ages, you are at a greater risk of heart disease due to a lower endothelial function. Therefore, this active component helps to keep your blood vessels healthy, which decreases your chances of developing heart complications.

Turmeric curcumin may prevent and help in cancer treatment.

Inflammations within the human body are often linked to the growth of tumors. Since this wonder spice is an anti-inflammatory compound, it plays a massive role in the treatment and prevention of different types of cancer that include prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, gastric, and breast cancers. As a matter of fact, preliminary results done on mice show that this active component may dial down the spread of cancerous cells or even prevent them from forming right from the start.

Turmeric has been known to assist in easing osteoarthritis.

For people living with OA, using this active compound is both an effective and safe option for long-term treatment due to its strong anti-inflammatory powers. During some research that was carried out recently, it was found out that taking 1000mg of Meriva a day for eight months greatly reduced stiffness and overall body functioning. Meriva is basically a treatment that is gotten from a mixture of natural curcuminoid.

It may prevent or treat diabetes.

Through countless research, this anti-inflammatory compound, through its antioxidant features, may help in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and other relating disorders. The related disorders include diabetic kidney disease, also known as diabetic nephropathy. This disorder mainly affects people living with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

It may reverse or delay Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s is a common degenerative disease that attacks the brain and other mental functions, but thanks to this anti-inflammatory compound, its effects can be delayed and possibly even reversed. This is done by regulating nerve cell communications that are vital for memory and learning and also increasing the levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). BDNF is a special protein found in the spinal cord or the brain that keeps our nerve cells healthy.

It may be a known treatment for depression.

Just like Alzheimer’s disease, depression can also be caused by low levels of BDNF in your body system. By increasing the intake of this anti-inflammatory compound, you can boost BDNF levels which in turn could work as an effective antidepressant.

It may help in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

RA(rheumatoid arthritis) is a chronic inflammatory disease that attacks the joints and may sometimes spread to other areas of the body that include the heart, lungs, blood vessels, and skin. However, with treatment using this anti-inflammatory compound, painful swelling can be reduced around the aforementioned areas keeping the disease at bay.

Curcumin may improve the health of your skin.

The skin is the largest organ in the body and is constantly exposed to dirt and diseases. Luckily, thanks to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties of this spice, it may be used to treat a wide range of skin conditions. The skin conditions include eczema, acne, psoriasis, and photoaging

It offers protection from free radicals.

Antioxidants do a tremendous job in protecting your body against free radicals. Free radicals are atoms that are very reactive atoms that are made within our bodies but can also be generated from things such as industrial chemicals. It is the exposure to dangerous amounts from the environment that is harmful. Luckily spices rich in antioxidants help in protecting you.

It may be used as a supplement for anti-aging.

Even though there is currently no evidence through research that has found this to be true, it is safe to go by its anti-degradation power, its fighting inflammation power, and its anti-free radical trait to safely conclude that this spice can be used as an anti-aging supplement

It may prevent degeneration of the eyes.

For people above the age of 60, glaucoma leads as one of the main causes of blindness, and once your vision is fully gone, it can’t be restored. There is, however, some evidence that suggests that this flavor-rich spice can reduce eye degradation. The experiment was, however, done on other specimens, but soon hopefully human trials will follow.