Turmeric is a root that comes from the plant in the ginger family. It is often hyped for its several health benefits. But does turmeric offer real help, or is it just hype with no actual benefit?
If you are curious about the benefits of turmeric, you've come to the right place. Turmeric has many uses, particularly in spices, herbal wellness tea, skin care products, and so much more. In this article, we will be talking about the origin, benefits, and how to include turmeric in your diet.
What is the origin of turmeric?
The origin of turmeric dates back to nearly 4000 years ago, which is when we first have record of the Vedic culture in India utilizing it. To them, turmeric was used as a culinary spice and had a religious significance. From India, turmeric spread to Southeast Asia, where it is used as a yellow dye.
Soon the use of turmeric spread to China around 700 AD. And by 800 AD, turmeric was used in some regions. It wasn't until 1200 AD before the use of turmeric spread to West Africa and Jamaica. Today, turmeric is available globally, with India remaining the leading producer of turmeric, contributing to over 80% of global production.
4 health benefits of turmeric
Turmeric is so widely known because it offers several health benefits. On the plus side, it is flavorsome, so it adds more value in any area where it is being used. Below are some of the health benefits of using turmeric.
1. Promotes a healthy anti-inflammatory response
Curcumin is one of the main active ingredients in turmeric. Curcumin is rich in anti-inflammatory properties. Enjoying turmeric in your diet can help promote a healthy inflammatory response. And the best part is that you can enjoy turmeric in many ways. Some people enjoy turmeric as a culinary spice, while others take it as an herbal wellness tea, and in either case, the body benefits from this anti-inflammatory property.
2. Sustain a healthy liver
Another way turmeric helps the body is by helping it sustain a healthy liver. As we all know, the liver is responsible for detoxifying the body. The curcumin in turmeric is primarily responsible for helping the body expel toxins. When you take turmeric, be it in food or an herbal wellness tea, the antioxidant properties of turmeric support the body’s digestive system, including the liver.
3. It helps to relieve pain.
Turmeric can also serve as an analgesic, much like another root, ginger, which is also known as a pain reliever. Many pains are caused by inflammation or irritation of muscles and joints. Since turmeric has soothing properties, it may help relieve the body of discomfort.
4. Promotes digestion
Finally, turmeric can also aid digestion because it is fiber-rich. Consuming fiber before meals aids with bowel movement and, thus, a healthier digestive system. Also, thanks to turmeric's anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, it can help support the healthy function of the digestive system.
How to include turmeric in your diet?
Most people add turmeric to their diet not only because of its numerous health benefits but also because it increases the flavor and taste of their diet. When it comes to having turmeric in our diet, there are several ways to begin to incorporate it. Turmeric is enjoyable, and here are two ways to add it to your diet.
-
Tea
One of the best ways to include turmeric in your diet is by taking it as tea. As a tea, you can add turmeric to almost any diet. Herbaly features a wide variety of teas, including turmeric, giving you more options. Some of the varieties are a blend of turmeric and other beneficial herbal products. As such, it gives the tea different aromas and tastes. So, irrespective of the dish you are having, you will always find that perfect turmeric tea to go well with it.
-
Spices
Adding turmeric to your diet as a spice is one of the best ways of enjoying turmeric. Particularly, if you use fresh turmeric, you enjoy this root's full benefits, including its rich fiber content. You also benefit from its rich flavonoids, making every dish more organoleptic.
As you can see from this guide, turmeric has many health benefits. Including it in your diet is a great way to promote a healthier lifestyle. And with so many ways of enjoying turmeric, particularly as an herbal wellness tea, you can almost include it in every meal.