You know turmeric for its earthy-sweet taste and distinctive orange color. And you’ve likely enjoyed turmeric win a coconut curry or to liven up cauliflower rice or scrambled eggs. But what about the health benefits of this delicious spice?
It just might be the missing link when it comes to supporting a healthy digestive system.
Read here to learn how to benefit from the use of turmeric.
What Is Turmeric?
When in its rawest form, turmeric has the appearance of ginger or some other root. Usually, when you consume turmeric, it has been perfectly sun-dried and ground to make what’s known as turmeric powder. Turmeric plants are mostly grown in India and Southeast Asia.
But turmeric is so much more than just a food source — as most plants are. Indian and Asian cultures have known about turmeric’s health properties for centuries. However, the rest of the world is just getting to know how wonderful turmeric powder can be, especially when it comes to digestion.1
Benefits Of Turmeric: Digestive Health
Progressive damage to your gut is often brought about by inflammatory responses to the bacterial microflora in your digestive tract. Certain cells are hypothesized to contribute to the destruction of your gut tissue by secreting degrading enzymes.
Let’s take a look at a few ways turmeric might impact your digestive health. Turmeric may support the following:
Proper Function Of Your Intestines — One of the ways in which turmeric supports digestion is by helping to relax the muscles that line the walls of your stomach. When these muscles relax, they’re more able to guide food through your intestines. Turmeric might also help ease gas and bloating in your gut while you are digesting food.2
A Healthy Colon — Turmeric may support the regeneration of the glands on your colon’s surface when illness-causing bacteria or leaky gut presents itself.3 This is important because you need a healthy colon to ensure proper gut function and support your good gut bacteria.
The Production Of Stomach Mucus — Turmeric supports the secretion of stomach mucous — which is your body’s main defense against destructive stomach acid.4
A Healthy Liver — Finally, turmeric supports healthy bile production. Combined with fiber-rich foods, curcumin(the most active compound in turmeric) may assist your liver in cleansing cholesterol.5
Benefits Of Turmeric: Is Turmeric A Free-Radical Fighter?
Have you ever heard of “free radicals”? They are the devilish atoms responsible for something called oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is when the oxygen in your body divides into single atoms with unpaired electrons.
Electrons prefer to be paired, so free radicals scavenge your tissues looking for electrons to pair up with. Inevitably, this causes damage to the cells and proteins in your body.
Free radicals are associated with illnesses and aging — the result of an accumulation of free-radical damage.6
As mentioned, the main active ingredient in turmeric is a powerful antioxidant called curcumin. Antioxidants help to protect your body from these pesky free radicals and fight oxidative stress.7
Furthermore, antioxidants come in handy when your skin feels irritated and uncomfortable. And if you’re dealing with redness, blemishes, or dull skin, curcumin in turmeric can put it’s antioxidant properties to work.8
Turmeric Powder: Don’t Forget to Cook With It
In the end, turmeric is a fantastic root that may do a lot for your overall health. To reap the benefits of this polyphenol, consume turmeric-enhanced collagen peptides or, better yet, cook with turmeric.
In fact, the next time your cooking one of your favorite dishes toss some turmeric powder or turmeric oil and herbs into the pan. You’ll be surprised at how the savory flavor deepens the taste profile of your meal. And — you’ll be doing something great for your digestive health and well-being.
Learn More:
Sources
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3882399/
2. https://1md.org/article/curcumin-gut-health-1md
3. https://1md.org/article/curcumin-gut-health-1md
4. https://1md.org/article/curcumin-gut-health-1md
5. https://1md.org/article/curcumin-gut-health-1md
6. https://www.livescience.com/54901-free-radicals.html
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249911/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27213821