Saturday, October 23, 2010

Health Benefits Of Curcumin From The Spice Turmeric

Turmeric is that peppery, yellow spice that is used in curry. It is also the spice that makes bright yellow mustard , well, bright yellow. It is so good at making things yellow that it is used as a textile dye.

A lot of research has been conducted over the past 20 to 30 years studying the health benefits of one of turmeric's active ingredients called curcumin. A great overview of the health benefits of turmeric and curcumin can be found at Whole Foods. In summary, turmeric and curcumin are found to be

  • A potent and safe anti-inflammatory
  • An effective Treatment for inflammatory bowel disease
  • Relief for Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • A benefit to Cystic Fibrosis sufferers
  • Inhibits Cancer Cell Growth
  • May help prevent Colon Cancer in combination with onions
  • Helps prevent prostate cancer in combination with cauliflower
  • Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia
  • Improves liver function
  • Provides cardiovascular protection
  • Lowers cholesterol
  • May provide protection against Alzheimer's Disease

Turmeric can be added to salads and vegetables to provide a tasty and peppery flavor. I like drinking turmeric tea in the morning, and it is easy to make. For 1 serving,

  • Bring to boil 1 cup of water
  • Add 1/4 teaspoon of ground turmeric to the water and simmer for about 10 minutes
  • I don't strain the tea, but some may prefer to strain out the remaining particulates.
  • Add honey to taste and enjoy.

You can also add ginger for an added zing to the tea if you prefer.

Here are some recent research articles regarding curcumin:

Remember that diet in combination with a regular exercise program is the best way to a healthier life. For illustrated examples of exercise techniques, click Exercise-To-A-Healthier-Life.com .

Also sponsored by Tshirt Art Designs .

Charles

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