Turmeric is a very flavorful spice, and if you like curried food you likely are very familiar with it. It imparts the curried flavor and the yellow coloring. Turmeric is more than a recipe ingredient, however. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that turmeric has been used for centuries in eastern cultures to treat numerous ailments, from skin diseases to liver problems. The health benefits of turmeric are largely due to its active ingredient, curcumin. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant, which helps prevent damage to the body from cells that are malfunctioning. Once you realize all of the health benefits turmeric offers, you may want to try adding it to some recipes.
Anti-inflammatory
Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory, which helps in the treatment of a number of diseases. A study published in the February 2009 edition of "Alternative Medicine Review" shows that turmeric, and specifically the curcumin in turmeric, interacts with many different molecules that cause inflammation, reducing their effects. It is this anti-inflammatory property that makes researchers believe curcumin should be used in treatment of inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Anti-cancer
Turmeric (curcumin) has been found to have various anti-cancer effects in numerous medical studies. The August 2009 edition of "Anticancer Research" reports a study that shows curcumin stopped the spread of colon cancer. Another study reported in the August 12, 2009 edition of "Molecular Carcinogenesis" shows that curcumin promoted the death of ovarian cancer cells. The July 22, 2009 issue of the medical journal "Menopause" reports a study that shows curcumin delays the development of, and lowers the risk of getting, breast cancer for those who undergo hormone replacement therapy. The researchers recommend that curcumin be considered as a dietary "anticancer" agent.
Intestinal Protection
The University of Maryland Medical Center states that turmeric has also been found to be very helpful in treating gastrointestinal disorders. They report that it stimulates the production of bile in the gallbladder, which improves digestion, it reduces symptoms of indigestion such as bloating and gas, and it helps stop the recurrence of ulcerative colitis. The medical advice on using turmeric for gastrointestinal disorders is mixed, however. The official word from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is that patients with intestinal troubles, such as gallstones or ulcers, should use turmeric with caution or avoid it entirely.
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