If you like most people, you probably think of turmeric as nothing more than a spice used in Indian cuisine.
But what you may not know is that this root has a wide variety of health benefits that make it well worth adding to your diet, or even supplement arsenal.
If you’re ready to learn more about turmeric, its health benefits, and recommended daily intake, keep reading!
Let’s learn, shall we?
What Is Turmeric?
Turmeric may look like an ordinary root, but this humble spice has been used for centuries in Indian cooking and traditional medicine.
Also known as Curcuma longa, turmeric is a member of the ginger family and has a distinctive yellow-orange color.
The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which supposedly has many, powerful properties, that can benefit one’s health and wellbeing.
What this means is that while turmeric is best known as a kitchen staple, turmeric is gaining popularity as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments.
Let’s have a look at those, shall we?
Liver Detoxification
If you're like most people, you probably think of liver detoxification as something that happens after a night of drinking too much alcohol.
But did you know that your liver also detoxifies your body every day, all the time, breaking down toxins so that they can be excreted?
And it turns out turmeric can help trigger this process. [1]
So if you're looking to give your liver a little boost, add some turmeric to your diet.
And if you want to be extra safe, make sure to consult with your doctor before taking any supplements.
Inflammation
In recent years, turmeric has gained popularity as a natural remedy for a variety of conditions, including pain and inflammation.
While the scientific evidence is still inconclusive, some studies have shown that turmeric may indeed help reduce inflammation. [2]
As a result, turmeric may help to reduce swelling and pain associated with conditions like arthritis and especially osteoarthritis.
While more research is needed to confirm these claims, turmeric seems like a promising natural option for those looking to find relief from inflammation.
Anxiety
You are now a bit more familiar with the benefits of turmeric for your physical health, but did you know that this yellow spice can also have benefits for mental health?
In fact, turmeric has been shown to reduce levels of anxiety [3], meaning it can be an effective ingredient in your stress-management arsenal.
So whether you’re looking to ease inflammation, help the body clean up toxins, or just unwind and relax a bit… Turmeric is a great option!
An Important Note
Now, though turmeric seems to be a wonder root, one of its downsides is that it has low bioavailability - meaning, our bodies have a hard time absorbing it.
Fortunately, there's an easy fix for this: simply combine turmeric with black pepper (which contains piperine).
This has been shown to increase its absorption by 2000% [4], meaning that you can, in fact, bypass turmeric's only downside!
And the recommended daily intake?
According to JECFA (The Joint United Nations and World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives), the Allowable Daily Intake (ADI) value of curcumin (the active ingredient of turmeric) is 0–3 mg/kg body weight.
Nevertheless, much like everything else - you should avoid going overboard with turmeric intake.
Keep it moderate, and within the amounts recommended above.
Final Thoughts
Turmeric appears to be a wonderful root, that has a vast variety of properties, applicable both in culinary and in medicine.
From its taste and ability to add flavor and color to a multitude of dishes to its amazing health benefits, this root definitely deserves a place on your shelf!
Have you tried turmeric for yourself? What were your results? Let us know in the comments below.
We’d love to hear about your experiences with this powerful root!