Turmeric: detoxifying, stimulating digestion, and even promoting health in cancer and Alzheimer's? The bright golden-yellow trendy spice is said to have special healing powers. We investigate this claim and find answers to the question: How healthy is turmeric?
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Turmeric: An Ayurvedic Medicinal Plant
Turmeric has been valued in Southeast Asia for over 4,000 years as a spice and medicinal plant. The golden spice is also very popular in India. According to Ayurvedic cuisine and medicine, it has been attributed with healing effects for millennia. It is certainly for this reason that turmeric is an important ingredient in every curry dish. In the Middle Ages, the root reached Europe via the Silk Road. Due to its coloring properties, it was also called "Indian Saffron".
Most people know turmeric in powder form. This is obtained from the rootstock of the turmeric plant. Turmeric belongs to the ginger family and actually looks somewhat similar to ginger. It can be used fresh, dried, or powdered and tastes mildly spicy and slightly bitter.
Today, turmeric is becoming increasingly popular in our latitudes as well. This is not only due to its vibrant color and the growing enthusiasm for healthy Indian and Asian cuisine. Turmeric is also said to have health-promoting properties. For example, it is said to have anti-inflammatory effects, help with digestive problems, and promote recovery from cancer and Alzheimer's. But what truth is there to these claims, and how healthy is turmeric really?
Curcumin: The Golden Yellow Active Ingredient
The health-promoting effect of turmeric on the body is particularly attributed to a biologically active plant compound in the root: curcumin.
Turmeric consists of essential oils, protein, sugar, and about 5% of the valuable curcumin. The tuber owes its bright yellow color to curcumin. In the food industry, it is therefore used as a natural coloring agent under the designation E100.
Unfortunately, curcumin is not particularly well absorbed by the body. A large part of it is simply excreted again. This is also known as limited bioavailability.
Certain substances and methods can improve the absorption of curcumin in the body. These include piperine. This can increase the bioavailability of curcumin by about 20 times. Piperine is a natural component of black pepper.
The Effects of Turmeric
As a spice, turmeric can add color to your plate. But the question arises: How healthy is turmeric? In recent years, much research has been done on the ancient knowledge from traditional medicine, and countless articles have been published. Many positive effects of a turmeric-rich diet are not yet sufficiently understood medically. However, some studies suggest healthy properties of turmeric for the human body.
Turmeric: Good for the Stomach and Intestines
One undisputed effect for which the spice has been known in Ayurveda for millennia is its positive impact on the stomach and intestines. The Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) confirms: Turmeric can help with feelings of fullness, bloating, or sluggish digestion. Spicing up your diet with the colorful spice can therefore also help to stimulate digestion, especially when we eat fatty foods.
Turmeric: Good for Inflammation
Studies also suggest that curcumin has anti-inflammatory effects similar to the drug cortisone. Thus, it could help the body activate its self-healing powers and counteract inflammation, such as in the gums or with acne. In India, turmeric has long been used to treat precisely these ailments.
Turmeric: Promotes Cell Protection
Experiments in test tubes have shown that curcumin is a free radical scavenger. This means that it neutralizes aggressive chemical compounds. In this way, curcumin can protect cells. Further laboratory experiments suggest that it inhibits the growth of artificially generated cancer cells. However, such results should be viewed with caution. There are currently no known extensive serious studies on human cancer patients. The same applies to other serious diseases.
Recipe: Turmeric Latte
A true turmeric booster is turmeric latte, also known as golden milk. The recipe is quick and easy. And it's also super delicious and healthy. All you need for two cups of turmeric latte are:
- ½ liter cow's milk or plant-based drink
- 2 centimeters of ginger
- 1 teaspoon turmeric or 1 capsule (opened) turmeric extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 pinch of black pepper
- 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey or agave syrup (vegan alternative)
Slowly heat the milk in a saucepan. Wash, peel, and finely grate the ginger. Now add the ginger, cinnamon, honey, and turmeric as a spice or the contents of the capsules to the pot and stir. Simmer the milk at a low temperature for about 5 minutes until it turns a dark golden yellow.
It's time: now you can pour your turmeric latte into two cups and garnish with black pepper.
Get the power of the yellow root!
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Turmeric for Those in a Hurry
Even though a golden milk is incredibly delicious and soothing, we don't always have time to prepare it. A practical solution to this problem is to incorporate turmeric capsules into your diet. These allow you to consume highly concentrated curcumin safely and without side effects.
CLAV's Curcuma Extract capsules not only guarantee a high and safe amount of curcumin for your diet. They also combine curcumin with piperine from black pepper.
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