The Amazing Health Benefits of Curcumin

Curcumin is a phytochemical that gives certain plants and herbs a bright yellow coloring. This compound is used to flavor food and add color to certain dishes. Apart from adding flavor and depth to your favorite dish, curcumin is also prized for its medicinal effects! In today’s post, we are listing down all the amazing health benefits of curcumin:

Reduces Chronic Pain and Inflammation

Curcumin contains a potent combination of anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative agents. These compounds ease chronic pain and reduce inflammation with zero side effects.

Curcumin is a traditional treatment for all types of joint and muscle pain. In fact, a report published in the journal Oncogene reports that the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin are comparable to over the counter medications. The same report also noted that curcumin is more effective in treating pain than aspirin and ibuprofen. A Japanese study also found that curcumin is packed with cytokine. Cytokine is type of anti-inflammatory compound that reduces inflammatory markers significantly during tests. Researchers suggest that consuming curcumin-rich foods will decrease the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

Treats Depression

Apart from minimizing internal inflammation, curcumin has the ability to reduce the risk of depression in a controlled setting. Researchers from the Government Medical College monitored 60 volunteers diagnosed with major depressive disorder or MDD. The group was divided into three. The first group was given Prozac, a popular antidepressant, and the other curcumin. The final group was given a combination of Prozac and curcumin. Researchers concluded that the group that consumed curcumin reported remarked improvement in their moods.

According to the report’s conclusion: “This study provides first clinical evidence that curcumin may be used as an effective and safe modality for treatment in patients with MDD.”

Reduces the Risk of Diabetes

Consuming curcumin-rich foods – like turmeric – helps lower blood sugar level and even reverses insulin resistance. In an article published in the Biochemistry and Biophysical Research Communications, researchers from of Auburn University discovered that curcumin has the ability to suppress glucose production in the liver. In fact, the scientists noted that curcumin is 400 times more potent than Metformin, a popular diabetes drug.

The combination of anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic agents in curcumin increases metabolic function, reduces the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries, and regulates blood sugar levels among type 1 and type 2 diabetics.

Reduces the Risk of Cancer

Dozens of studies show that curcumin has the ability to suppress cancer growth by enhancing the effects of antioxidants in malignant cells. Curcumin also strengthens the immune system and targets cancer cells, triggering cell death. This compound improves the mitochondrial function of the body at a cellular level to reduce the risk of cancer. The anti-cancer effects of curcumin are so powerful that it is being tapped as a drug for leukemia.

Restore Youthful Skin

Curcumin delays the sign of aging by reducing internal and external inflammation. This compound banishes skin redness, fades blemishes, and rebalances the skin! Curcumin also improves the texture of the skin, restoring its suppleness and elasticity. It also heals breakouts, kills bacteria that cause acne, and delays the signs of aging.