A wonderful staple in a Sri Lankan kitchen since forever, we have all grown up with turmeric in our foods. As this spice suddenly becomes a "superfood" and one of the buzziest ingredients in the Western world, let's dig deeper into its health benefits that our ancestors have known for generations.
It's a relative of ginger
As turmeric isn't absorbed by our bodies well - it needs to be paired with black pepper to be effective
It's a strong anti-oxidant with compounds called curcuminoids. Anti-oxidants work to prohibit the oxidation of certain molecules which would be harmful to the body.
It has anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds are important in fighting off infections and repairing damage to the body. Chronic inflammation can be caused even by stress - and leads to diseases such as cancer, Alzheimers and heart disease
It's good for fighting depression. Curcumin can impact neurotransmitters in the brain and help in the effectiveness of anti-depressants
Helps with PMS!
Eases joint pain, stiffness & inflammation
Cures headaches & migraines - along with its cousin, ginger
Clears skin as acne usually is a result of high inflammation & low anti-oxidants in the body
Boosts metabolism as it naturally warms the body
So get cracking on increasing the turmeric sprinkling into your curries and other foods without hesitation!