Anyone who tries to stay informed on healthy living has likely heard about turmeric. Turmeric has long been touted as a healthy option, and it’s popularity has grown over time. To take advantage of turmeric’s health benefits, it’s a good idea to know why turmeric is a healthy option and how to take it.
What’s so healthy about turmeric?
Curcumin is what makes turmeric so healthy. Curcumin is the active ingredient of turmeric. It is an anti-inflammatory molecule with potential anti-cancer properties, according to several studies. Curcumin has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, as has a variety of therapeutic properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic functions. Curcumin is a chemical contained within turmeric. It’s the reason turmeric is sometimes called curcuma longa. Curcuma longa is the scientific name for turmeric.
What can turmeric help with?
We’ve written several blog posts about the health benefits of turmeric, but here’s a nice, easy list of what turmeric can potentially do for you:
- Lifts mood and helps with depression
- Reduces inflammation
- Improves brain function
- Reduces risk of heart disease
- Reduces arthritis and joint pain
- Provides a powerful antioxidant
- Boosts metabolism
- Potentially reduces risk of Alzheimer’s
- Possibly stops the growth of cancer cells
The above potential benefits come from numerous studies and articles about turmeric, but of course, the studies continue to dig deeper.
What’s the best way to take turmeric?
As with any healthy food, once popularity increases, products galore hit the market. Turmeric lattes, turmeric soups…there’s no shortage of ways to eat and drink turmeric. While these healthy snacks and recipes can be delicious, turmeric extracts provide fast, ready absorption for your body. Your body does not need to break down a liquid extract, allowing its health benefits to be readily accessible. It only takes about 1-4 minutes to assimilate a liquid extract while capsules or tablets can take upwards of 30 minutes. That’s a substantial difference in how quickly your body can start getting the healthy benefits of turmeric! Turmeric found in a tincture are significantly more potent than other forms such as powders or capsules. The alcohol typical found in extracts helps tinctures assimilate into the bloodstream much more efficiently than other methods, which provides greater potency overall.
When you’re ready to give turmeric a try, consider an all-natural, organic liquid turmeric extract and start enjoying its many healthy benefits!
