Curcumin is a yellow pigment and the major compound in turmeric. It is commonly used as a curry spice and as a food-coloring agent. Its health benefits include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.
Turmeric is great to cook with, or you can conveniently take curcumin as a supplement.
7 Reasons to Start Cooking With More “Curcumin”
Curcumin have Anticancer properties
One of the major curcumin benefits is its inhibitive effect on cancer cells. By destroying the blood vessels that feed cancer tumors it prevents or slows their growth. In clinical studies, curcumin extract has been shown to increase the efficacy of many anticancer drugs.
Curcumin balances blood sugar
A study showed that subjects who supplemented with curcumin for six weeks experienced significant improvements in insulin resistance and glucose tolerance. Subjects who took curcumin had increased activity of an enzyme that plays a key role in blunting the blood sugar rise that follows meals and produces insulin.
Curcumin encourages pro-immune activities
By suppressing the activity of pro-inflammatory mediators, Curcumin might help the regulation of several autoimmune disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, asthma, allergy, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and scleroderma.
Curcumin protects your brain
Extensive research has demonstrated the protective effects of curcumin on the brain. In one study, curcumin inhibited the accumulation of destructive beta amyloid protein in the brain – the “tangles” that are the hallmark of cognitive decline. What’s more, it broke up existing plaques by boosting immune cells called macrophages to clear out the plaque.
Protect cell DNA
Curcumin is a strong antioxidant which reduced oxidative damage to the cells and consequently helps to protect cell DNA from harm.
Respiratory system protection
Curcumin was reported to have antiallergic properties! It hampers the inflammatory process occurring in chronic conditions, such as: chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and allergic asthma.
Curcumin reduces muscle soreness after exercise
Research suggests that curcumin may help with everyday exercise compliance by offsetting some of the negative effects of a vigorous workout. In the study, curcumin reduced exercise-induced inflammation in mice, possibly by inhibiting inflammatory compounds such as COX-2, prostaglandins and leukotrienes. That improved running performance and recovery.
Enhance curcumin benefits with black pepper!
The medicinal properties of curcumin cannot be fully exploited because of poor bioavailability due to its rapid metabolism in the liver and intestinal wall. When curcumin is consumed alone – its serum levels are either undetectable or very low. However, when combined with piperine (a component of black pepper) its serum level rises dramatically and its bioavailability increased by twenty-fold. Therefore, it is highly recommended to combine curcumin with black pepper in order to dramatically enhance its effectiveness.
Sources & References
liveinthenow, family-health-info, curcuminhealth
More From Author:
4 Homemade Soups That Fight With Cancer
1 Spice Vs 14 Drugs! Could You Guess Who Wins?
Astragalus: A Super food That Halts Aging And Revitalizes Our DNA
