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~ Hippocrates, Greek physician
Benefits of Turmeric:
Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color. It contains bio-active compounds with powerful medicinal properties. Turmeric may be the most effective nutritional supplement in existence. Many studies show that it has major benefits for your body and brain.
Turmeric has a long history as a healing herb and culinary spice in India. Interestingly, India, which has a high per capita consumption of turmeric, also has a remarkably low incidence of cognitive decline (cognitive impairment is when a person has trouble remembering, learning new things, concentrating, or making decisions that affect their everyday life).
Here are the top 3 evidence-based health benefits of turmeric.
- Recently, science has started to back up what the Indians have known for a long time… it really does contain compounds with medicinal properties. These compounds are called curcuminoids, the most important of which is curcumin. Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.
- Natural Anti-Inflammatory Compound: Inflammation is incredibly important. It helps the body fight foreign invaders and also has a role in repairing damage. Without inflammation, pathogens like bacteria could easily take over our bodies and kill us.
- Dramatically Increases The Antioxidant Capacity of the Body: Oxidative damage is believed to be one of the mechanisms behind aging and many diseases.
- Supports Cognitive Function: Curcumin supports healthy brain cells and optimal overall cognitive function.
- Supports Joint and Muscle Health: Curcumin promotes a healthy inflammatory response and eases aches and pains.
- Supports a Healthy Inflammatory Response: Curcumin has been scientifically shown to promote a proper inflammatory response.
- Promotes Healthy Mood Balance: Studies have shown that curcumin may support a healthy mood.
- Supports Cardiovascular Function: Curcumin supports heart health by promoting a healthy inflammatory response.
- Promotes Youthful, Radiant Skin: Curcumin promotes soft, smooth, glowing skin and fights fine lines and wrinkles.
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Throughout ancient history, the main use of garlic was for its health and medicinal properties. Its use was well documented by all the major civilizations… including the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans and the Chinese.
The “head” is called a garlic bulb, while each segment is called a clove. There are about 10-20 cloves in a single bulb, give or take. We now know that most of the health effects are caused by one of the sulfur compounds formed when a garlic clove is chopped, crushed or chewed. This compound is known as allicin, and is also responsible for the distinct garlic smell. Allicin enters the body from the digestive tract and travels all over the body, where it exerts its potent biological effects.
- Garlic contains Allicin (see above).
- Garlic is highly nutritious, with very few calories.
- Garlic can combat sickness, including the common Cold. Garlic supplementation is known to boost the function of the immune system.
- The active compounds in Garlic can reduce blood pressure. Cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes are the world’s biggest killers. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the most important drivers of these diseases. Human studies have found garlic supplementation to have a significant impact on reducing blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
- Garlic improves cholesterol levels, which may lower the risk of Heart Disease. Garlic can lower total and LDL cholesterol. For those with high cholesterol, garlic supplementation appears to reduce total and/or LDL cholesterol by about 10-15%.
- Garlic contains antioxidants that may help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia.
- Garlic may increase your life span. Effects on longevity are basically impossible to prove in humans. However, given the beneficial effects on important risk factors like blood pressure, it makes sense that garlic could help you live longer.
- Garlic was one of the earliest “performance enhancing” substances. It was traditionally used in ancient cultures to reduce fatigue and enhance the work capacity of laborers. Most notably, it was administered to Olympic athletes in ancient Greece
- At high doses, the sulfur compounds in garlic have been shown to protect against organ damage from heavy metal toxicity. A four week study in employees of a car battery plant (excessive exposure to lead) found that garlic reduced lead levels in the blood by 19%. It also reduced many clinical signs of toxicity, including headaches and blood pressure.
Source: Authority Nutrition
