Turmeric is a spice that has been used for centuries in cooking. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric and curcumin are also believed to be beneficial for treating several different health conditions. Although there are some side effects of turmeric and curcumin, they are usually minor and easy to deal with by changing your diet or taking supplements.
About Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that comes from the root of a plant. It has been used for thousands of years in India and other Asian countries. It belongs to the ginger family, which also includes cardamom, cinnamon, and galanga (also known as lesser galanga).
Turmeric has been used as a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant by people all over the world. The active component in turmeric is curcumin, which has been shown to be effective against inflammation and may also help prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
It is an ancient spice that has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years, dating back to the ancient Greeks and Chinese. It was later introduced to India in 400 AD, where it still grows wild today. The potent plant is currently used as a healing agent and treated as a gift in India, where it is believed as a symbol of good luck.
How to use turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that can be added to food or taken as a supplement. It should be taken with black pepper to enhance its effect on the body. The recommended dose is two grams of turmeric per day, but it’s also possible to increase the amount up to four grams if needed.
When taking turmeric supplements, it is important to choose products that are made from organic ingredients and free of any additives or fillers. You can also mix your it with milk or water before consuming it in order to reduce any unpleasant taste or texture issues you might have with other forms of consumption such as capsules or tablets.
Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric is a rhizome that has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It comes from the ginger family, and it has a bright yellow color that is due to a powerful antioxidant called curcumin. This compound is responsible for most of the health benefits associated with turmeric.
1) Antioxidant
Turmeric contains high levels of anti-inflammatory compounds called curcuminoids, which are known antioxidants that protect your body from free radicals. Free radicals can damage cells and lead to cell death, which can cause diseases such as cancer and heart disease. By reducing inflammation and protecting against free radicals, it helps prevent chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease as well as boost your immune system and fight infections.
2) Improved Blood Vessel Function
Turmeric improves blood vessel function by allowing more blood to flow through your arteries and veins without causing them to become damaged or stiff. This helps prevent high blood pressure (hypertension), which can lead to heart disease or stroke, by keeping your blood pressure at normal levels. It also reduces your risk of developing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
3) Protect From Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disorder that affects the brain and causes a decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills, and the ability to perform everyday activities. The most common cause of Alzheimer’s disease is an abnormal protein called beta-amyloid that forms plaques in the brain. The good news is that there are some foods that may help protect you from developing Alzheimer’s. One of these foods is turmeric—a spice that has been used in India for thousands of years to treat various health conditions and improve overall well-being.
It has been found to reduce the formation of plaques and also inhibit the production of beta-amyloid proteins, thereby protecting against Alzheimer’s disease.
4) Help with Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that causes pain and swelling in the joints. It can be caused by a number of factors, including aging, obesity, injuries, or overuse of joints. Some people are born with arthritis or develop it at an early age.
Turmeric is an herb that has been used in India for thousands of years. It has been shown to be beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and even headaches caused by arthritis pain.
The root of turmeric contains curcuminoids—compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds can help reduce inflammation in your joints so they no longer feel sore or stiff. The more inflammation in your body, the more pain you will feel.
5) Improve brain health
Turmeric is rich in compounds that support brain health, including curcumin. Curcumin increases blood flow to the brain and helps protect against oxidative stress, which can damage brain cells. It also supports the production of new neurons and helps preserve existing ones.
It has been shown to have a positive effect on brain health. The spice contains curcumin, which is an antioxidant that helps protect the body against free radicals. It also stimulates the production of new brain cells in the hippocampus, a part of your brain that is responsible for memory and learning.
6) Improves Skin Health
Turmeric is a powerful herb that has been used for thousands of years. This powerful spice has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. It also promotes healthy skin by preventing bacteria from colonizing the skin surface and improving healing time after skin injuries. The spice has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe acne and other skin conditions, like eczema and psoriasis. It’s also a natural antiseptic that can help cleanse your pores.
Turmeric is known for its skin-clearing properties, and it can be used to treat acne, dark spots and discoloration, and other common skin problems.
7) Boost immunity
Boosting immunity is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health, and turmeric is a great way to do that. It’s an adaptogen, meaning it helps your body adapt to stressful situations by balancing hormone levels and increasing your resistance to disease. Turmeric is known to boost immunity by helping your body fight off viruses and bacteria.
The golden spice contributes to the production of white blood cells, which are essential for fighting off infections. Turmeric also stimulates the activity of other immune system cells that help your body fight off invaders.
8) Minimize heart attack risk
In a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology, researchers found that taking turmeric supplements reduced the risk of heart attack by up to 75%. The study involved nearly 400 patients who were given either 180 milligrams of curcumin per day or a placebo pill for three months. Researchers found that those who took curcumin had lower levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as increased blood flow to the heart muscle.
9) Reduced inflammation
Inflammation is an important part of our immune response, but chronic inflammation can lead to serious health problems like diabetes, cancer, and arthritis. Turmeric contains compounds called curcuminoids that reduce inflammation by inhibiting an enzyme called cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2).
10) Act as Anticancer Agent
According to research published in Phytotherapy Research, curcumin is an effective anticancer agent due to its ability to inhibit cancer cell growth, induce apoptosis (programmed cell death), and suppress angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation). These properties make it an ideal treatment for various types of cancer including breast cancer, colorectal, prostate, and pancreatic cancer. The compound also prevents tumor metastasis by inhibiting the migration of cancer cells from existing tumors into new areas in the body.
Side effects of turmeric
Lower blood pressure
Turmeric is a blood pressure-lowering agent. It can relax the blood vessels, or inhibit an enzyme that makes cholesterol in the liver. Turmeric can also lower blood pressure by lowering inflammation of blood vessels and preventing plaque from forming on artery walls.
Turmeric is known as an anti-hypertensive, which means it has properties that help reduce high blood pressure. These properties include relaxing the smooth muscles of your arteries, inhibiting enzymes that make cholesterol, inhibiting inflammatory processes in your body, and reducing platelet aggregation (clotting).
Acid reflux
- Tumeric can cause acid reflux.
- Tumeric aggravates ulcers, including esophageal and stomach ulcers.
- Tumeric is a frequent cause of heartburn (acid indigestion). It can also bring about nausea, which is another common symptom of acid reflux.
Increased risk of kidney stones
Turmeric can increase the risk of kidney stones in some people. This is because turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of kidney stones. In addition, turmeric can cause dehydration, which is another risk factor for developing a kidney stone.
The bottom line is that if you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of dehydration (like dark urine or lightheadedness), stop taking turmeric immediately and consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Lower blood sugar level
The most common side effect of turmeric is a lowering of blood sugar levels. If you are diabetic, it may be best to avoid turmeric as this could cause problems with your medication. It is important to monitor your blood sugar levels closely if you do decide to take turmeric and make sure that you are not experiencing any unusual symptoms or reactions. If you are taking medications for diabetes, it is best to check with your doctor first before adding turmeric into your diet.
Cause indigestion
Turmeric causes indigestion. If you’re taking turmeric supplements, it’s important to remember that the body may not be able to break down and digest all of the fibers in the supplement. This can lead to indigestion or even nausea if too much time passes between ingestion and consumption of food.
If you’re using a natural remedy like turmeric, be sure to take it with meals and at least an hour before bedtime so that your body has time to properly process it. You should also drink plenty of water while taking any kind of supplement or medication, as they can cause dehydration if not paired with sufficient hydration.
Increased risk of bleeding
The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, has been found to increase the risk of bleeding. This can happen if you use it long-term or if you take high doses.
Turmeric has many effects on your body’s hemostasis system that are still not well understood. The main effect is an increased risk of bleeding due to overstimulation of platelet aggregation and a decrease in anticoagulant activity (platelet aggregation).
Cause skin allergies
If you’re using turmeric on your skin, make sure to wash it off as soon as you’re done. As with any other topical treatment, it’s possible that your skin may be sensitive to turmeric and may develop an allergic reaction. Turmeric is also not recommended for people with a history of eczema or psoriasis.
If you are allergic to any other plants in the Curcuma genus (including the ginger plant), avoid using turmeric supplements or dietary supplements containing turmeric until after consulting a doctor.
Cause gallbladder problems
The most common side effect of taking turmeric is that it can worsen your gallbladder problems. Turmeric can cause gallstones and can increase the risk of developing gallstones or worsen existing ones.
If you already have gallstones, turmeric will likely make them worse—especially if you take it every day without a break. This is because turmeric causes more bile to be released by the body, which leads to an accumulation of cholesterol in the gallbladder and the formation of stones.
 Cause diarrhea
If you experience diarrhea after using turmeric, it could be a sign that you’ve taken too much. Turmeric causes diarrhea in some people and can also cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain if taken at high doses.
This side effect may be mitigated by taking smaller doses of turmeric or taking it with food. If your body doesn’t respond well to turmeric alone, consider combining it with other medications that are already known to work for treating inflammation and joint pain.
Cause iron deficiency
If you take turmeric regularly, your body may not be able to absorb enough iron from food. This can cause iron deficiency anemia.
Iron is an important mineral that helps your body make red blood cells. If you don’t have enough iron, your body can’t make enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to all parts of your body. You could have shortness of breath or tiredness because too little oxygen reaches the tissue in your muscles and other organs (tissues).
Cause infertility
Turmeric may also cause infertility in men and women. This is because turmeric increases the production of estrogen and can therefore interfere with hormone levels. Turmeric has also been shown to increase the body’s heat, which can cause men to become infertile by lowering their sperm count.
The ability of turmeric to improve fertility in some people but not others depends on genetics, age, dosage, and duration of usage.
May interfere with medications that slow blood clotting
It is important to avoid consuming turmeric if you are taking blood thinners, such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Turmeric has been shown to interfere with the effectiveness of these medications and may increase your risk of bleeding or bruising.
If you have any other condition that involves slowing down blood clotting, including a bleeding disorder, then it’s also best to avoid eating turmeric on a regular basis.
How to prevent side effects of turmeric
To prevent side effects, it’s best to take turmeric with food. This will help reduce stomach upset that can sometimes occur with the consumption of turmeric. Drinking enough water and eating foods that contain black pepper, such as bananas or papaya, are also helpful in promoting better absorption of curcuminoids in your body and thus reducing any side effects.
You should limit your intake of turmeric to 2-3 times per week at most—the same goes for any other supplements you’re taking on a regular basis.
Conclusion
Turmeric is a powerful spice that has been used for over 5,000 years and can be found in most kitchens. This article will explain how turmeric works, its side effects, and possible interactions with medications.
Turmeric is a spice that comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant which grows in India and Southeast Asia. It has been used for thousands of years as part of traditional medicine to treat many conditions including colds, flu, headaches, pain relief, and more recently cancer prevention among other benefits.
