Many health benefits of Turmeric

Tumeric as a spice holds many health advantages, which have proven that it should be a regular feature of one’s diet, writes OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA.

Curried dishes around the world may not be delicious without turmeric. Turmeric,  an orange-coloured spice mostly sold by Hausa traders across the country, is revered for its culinary and therapeutic benefits. It gives the curry its bright yellow or orange colour and contributes to its peppery, warm, and mildly bitter taste. It also provides a tangy and ginger-like fragrance.

According to a phytotherapists/herbalist, Dr Francis Elegbuo, turmeric is a root crop known for its tough brown skin and bright orange flesh. For more than 5,000 years, this root crop has been cultivated in the Northern part of Nigeria.

“Bioactive ingredients found in this herb are pleiotropic in nature- the same molecule can bind to a variety of enzymes and other molecular targets in the body. Turmeric has basic pharmacological properties, which are beneficial in many health conditions,” said Dr Elegbuo.

According to Dr Elegbuo, turmeric is powerful and effective against cancer cells, adding that “researchers are fascinated by the broad range of conditions it is capable of helping. The health benefits of turmeric have only been recognised by the medical community in the past decade, but researchers are wasting no time in conducting trials on this amazing spice”.

Dr Elegbuo itemises other conditions turmeric can alleviate to include:

• Combats arthritis. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties aids in managing arthritic conditions. Those who suffer from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have found relief by consuming turmeric on a regular basis, especially when eaten raw. Turmeric neutralises harmful free radicals that can damage the cells of the body and lead to inflammation.
• Curcumin is the compound in turmeric that has potent anti-inflammatory property. As an anti-inflammatory agent, it inhibits the activity of nuclear factor kappa B- the master protein that regulates inflammatory process.
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• Like conventional anti-inflammatory agents, it inhibits the activity of inflammatory enzymes such as COX and LOX. Additionally, it inhibits the activity of various inflammatory chemicals and proteins such as TNF-alpha, interleukin etc.
• One advantage over conventional anti-inflammatory agents is that turmeric does not cause gastric side effects. Curcumin free turmeric is also found to have anti-inflammatory property.
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• Regulates blood sugar. Turmeric has the ability to improve the effects of diabetic medications and help in controlling the disease. It reduces the risks of developing insulin resistance, a physiological condition in which the cells fail to respond to the normal actions of the insulin hormone.
• Helps you lose weight. Adding turmeric to your diet helps increase the production of bile, a necessary factor in the breakdown of dietary fat. To help obtain your ideal body weight, a teaspoon of turmeric powder in your meals boosts this process. More efficient bile production aids in better digestion and prevents liver disease.
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• Makes wound heal faster. You can use turmeric as a natural disinfectant because of its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. To heal wounds, sprinkle turmeric powder on the affected area. It has also been shown that turmeric can be used to treat psoriasis and other skin conditions.
• Prevents Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is believed to be caused by rampant inflammation within the brain. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory property removes accumulated plaque and fats in the brain, improving oxygen flow.
• Turmeric speeds up post operative recovery. Turmeric has a number of properties that benefit in restoring health and speeding recovery after surgery. Its anti-microbial and immune boosting properties help safe guard from infections. Its wound healing properties help in quick healing of scars. Turmeric combats post-operative fatigue and pain.
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• It helps in heavy metal detoxification. Turmeric benefits in the treatment of heavy metal poisoning by virtue of its antioxidant property and chelating (ability to bind to metal and remove them from the body) property.

And wondering how you can consume this Naure gift to man? Dr Elegbuo said Turmeric is for more than just curry, as you can add turmeric powder to your classic egg salad, in soups, to season meats, and added to sauces and dressings, “a little goes a long way and it adds a unique and delicious undertone to common foods. Add this spice to your grocery list, include it in your nutrition plan, and enjoy the far-reaching health benefits of turmeric right now”.