Turmeric is one of the best spices in south Asia. It is been part of Asia’s cooking for almost 4000 years. There is hardly a dish served without turmeric being part of the ingredients. Even though some will not find the Turmeric as “great” spice (after all, not everybody has the same taste for food), it does portray certain health benefits.
A 2009 World Alzheimer’s Report states that the percentage of people suffering from dementia is way low in South Asia (3.6 per cent over the age of 60) compared to people in Western Europe (7.2 per cent over the age of 60) and Australia (7.2 per cent over the age of 60). In addition to this report, the World Health Organization states that the cancer rate in India is far lower from the cancer rate in the developing countries.
Researchers have different opinions about the anti-cancer effects of the Turmeric. For example, Ralph W. Moss believes that the Turmeric has natural anti-inflammatory acting as powerful antioxidant, whereas Aloysa Hourigan from Australia believes that this one antioxidant is not enough to “pick a fight” with cancer.
Nevertheless, the Turmeric has made nutritionists think serious about implementing it in healthy food consumption. The Turmeric is able to fight cancer when it is combined with vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli. The most likely cancer to get beaten by this combination is prostate cancer.
There are indication that Turmeric can prevent skin, pancreatic, multiple myeloma, childhood leukemia and even breast cancer.
Curcumin, the ingredient found in the Turmeric, is able to lower the cholesterol levels and at the same time fight the building up of LDL, also known as “bad” cholesterol. By preventing bad cholesterol, the arteries perform their duty without blockage, ergo no strokes or heart attacks.
People with digestion problems can find comfort with Turmeric – again, the Curcumin is able to stimulate the gallbladder to digest fat and reduce the symptoms of gas and bloating.
Viral infections and bacterial infections are reduced with the help of the turmeric. Season colds, flu’s and diabetes are also part of its fighting agenda.
Source: www.healthyfoodplace.com