5+ Turmeric Benefits And Side Effects: Great For Heart Health And More

by John Griffith
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Turmeric is gold in powdered form. This spice is a relative of ginger and grows primarily in Southeast Asia. Turmeric has a distinct bright yellow color and is hard to mess up with any other spice in your cupboard. Alongside, being an amazing addition to the kitchen, this golden spice has plenty of beneficial properties for our health. For centuries, this spice has been used in Ayurveda medicine, as well as in Chinese medicine. So, let’s take a look at all the possible turmeric benefits you can enjoy by adding it to your daily diet.

Turmeric, like ginger, is a root 

turmeric root in a bad

Turmeric Benefits

Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin. This compound hold many of the benefits. This little spice holds in itself so many good qualities, that it’s sometimes hard to believe. Fun fact: turmeric is actually the spice that gives curry it’s beautiful yellow color. Let’s see what benefits you can enjoy if you start introducing more of this spice into your life.

Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin

turmeric benefits gold yellow turmeric powder on a spoon

Anti-Inflammatory

Short-term inflammation in the body can be beneficial. It helps to fight foreign particles in your body and helps to repair any damages. However, sometimes inflammation turns chronic, that’s where it starts to become a concern. Chronic inflammation starts to attack its own tissue, causing issues such as cancer, diseases and various degenerative conditions. So, including plenty of anti-inflammatory foods in your diet is a must. Turmeric is such a food, it has anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent and treat these conditions.

Sometimes inflammation turns chronic, that’s where it starts to become a concern

person pouring turmeri into a bowl of flour

Improves Heart Health

A healthy heart is a must in order to live a long and healthy life. That’s why including plenty of low-cholesterol foods and supplements such as turmeric in your diet are important. Curcumin is believed to be able to reverse steps in the heart disease process. So, if you want a stronger, healthier heart add more turmeric to your daily diet.

Turmeric helps prevent heart disease 

benefits of turmeric machet of real life heart

Clear Skin

One of the most famous turmeric benefits is its ability to help get rid of stubborn blackheads, pimples, and acne in general. While there is no hard scientific evidence, people who make at home DIY face masks with the spice, swear by its benefits to clear up skin. This may be thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Make your own masks or buy ready-to-use ones

woman smiling with turmeric and honey face mask on

Fights Free Radicals

Free radicals are a menace to our bodies. They cause us to age and lead to many diseases and problems. So, consuming free-radical fighting foods and supplements is a must. Thanks to its antioxidant properties, turmeric can help neutralize free radicals, consequently protecting your body from them. Not only that but it may also stimulate the action of other antioxidants.

Turmeric and ginger, chicken soup is the best 

turmaric and ginger soup with cup of broth

Pain Relief

If you suffer from joint pains caused by arthritis, turmeric may help in relieving some pain. Turmeric has been used in both Ayurveda and Chinese medicine to help treat such pains. So, why not add a turmeric supplement to your daily arthritis medication.

Turmeric may help in relieving some joint pain

woman with head down stroking her neck in=pain

Improves Brain Function

Other time, our minds just aren’t what they used to be. And while it’s normal, there are some ways to help out your brain stay in tip-top shape. For example, adding some turmeric to your diet. Studies found that 90 milligrams of curcumin twice a day can help improve memory functions. Turmeric helps in preventing Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

90 milligrams of curcumin twice a day can help improve memory functions

my brain has too many tabs open

Helps Premenstrual Symptoms

Some recent studies showed promising results when it came to turmeric helping premenstrual symptoms. The study followed women for three cycles. Those that took a curcumin supplement seemed to have lighter premenstrual symptom. This may be caused by the fact that turmeric can help relax muscles, consequently bringing relief to cramps.

Thanks to its muscle relaxing properties, turmeric can help with cramps

turmeric side effects woman holding her stomach with one hand

Fights Infections

If you are battling a cold, alongside the chicken soup, you can enjoy some turmeric tea. Thanks to the compound found in turmeric – curcumin, research shows that it might be able to help you fight off a pesky cold, the flu, and a bunch of other viruses.

Sip on some turmeric tea

turmuric benefits turmuric tea bag out of cup of tea

Turmeric Side Effects

Just like any other supplement or super food, turmeric comes with a set of benefits, and a set of side effects. However, don’t worry turmeric doesn’t really have any scary side effects. Products with turmeric are safe when used in a short-term period. For example, 8 grams of curcumin daily is safe for two months, while 3 grams of turmeric is okay for three months. You can also use turmeric on skin. However, here is what you should look out for:

  • Symptoms such as nausea, an upset stomach, diarrhea, or dizziness
  • Turmeric can stain fabrics, so be careful when using in powder form

There are plenty of turmeric supplements

turmeric side effects turmeric supplements in pill form

These were all the turmeric benefits and side effects we have for you today. We hope you found this article informative and useful. Now you have the knowledge to decide whether you want to add more of this amazing spice into your daily diet.

These were all the turmeric benefits and side effects

what benefits does turmeric have turmeric powder on a spoon

John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.