Turmeric Advantages

A cornerstone of the traditional Indian herbal medicine system Ayurveda, turmeric is thought to provide several health and culinary advantages. Research strongly suggests that turmeric acts as an anti-inflammatory, though its advocates tout myriad health benefits as a result of consuming the spice in food or in supplement form. In cooking, turmeric acts a both a powerful flavor and coloring agent.

In the Kitchen

• Turmeric has many advantages in the kitchen, particularly when cooking Indian cuisine. The fact that turmeric gives mustard its yellow color is proof of its power as a color agent in the kitchen. Many Indian dishes, particularly ones with cauliflower, call for turmeric simply to give vegetables a golden tint. In terms of taste, turmeric provides a somewhat pungent, but not overpowering, kick to vegetables and many Indian dishes, most notably a wide variety of curries. Of course, turmeric's culinary notoriety lies in the fact that it is the main spice in Indian curry powder.

Disease Fighter

• Turmeric is thought to have several properties that promote health and ward off or fight disease. As an antioxidant, turmeric has shown promise in preventing several types of cancer, including colon and prostate cancer. It is thought to curb blood vessels that fuel cancerous tumors. Additionally, turmeric might help diabetics by aiding in efforts to lower blood-sugar levels. Advocates are also hopeful that further research will vindicate claims that turmeric can kill viral and bacterial infections and treat a whole host of diseases and discomforts ranging from osteoarthritis to menstrual pain.

  Researchers from such authorities as the Mayo Clinic, Harvard and the University of Maryland Medical Center warn proponents of turmeric to not jump the gun. They note that research on the herb is in its infancy. The most long-standing and reliable piece of evidence emerged in the 1970s in India about the efficacy of turmeric as an anti-inflammatory. Many leaders in Western medicine have embraced turmeric due its anti-inflammatory power.

Digestion

• An area where turmeric has received a considerable amount of attention is digestion. Given the fact that most individuals have, at one time or another, suffered from stomach discomfort, the early indications that turmeric can relieve gas and bloating and help ulcerative colitis patients as well as those with stomach ulcers is promising.

Availability and Form

• Another advantage of turmeric is that it is readily available and easy to work in to your diet and/or lifestyle. Spreading mustard on a sandwich is a simple way to get some of the herb. It is even used to color some butters. But like ginger, turmeric is available as a root or more commonly in powder form in most grocery stores. You can simply sprinkle it on vegetables instead of salt to realize its potential health benefits, or you can take it a few steps further and try to master the art of Indian curry. If cooking is not your thing, turmeric is widely available in supplement form in grocery and health-food stores.