Turmeric is one of the thriving crops in New Zealand. The country’s unique location in the southern hemisphere makes it a conducive place for growing this medicinal plant. Originally, turmeric was cultivated in Southern India.
It has a pepper-like aroma that’s mostly used for flavouring food. However, because of the influx of Indian, Sri Lankan, and Pakistani migrants in New Zealand, you will now find an abundance of this yellow-orange rhizome. Today, you can buy turmeric in NZ in capsule, liquid, powder or tea form. Take a look at the benefits of using turmeric supplements:
Works Well as An Anti-Inflammatory
One of the leading benefits of taking this supplement is that it is well-known for fighting inflammation. This is attributed to turmeric’s active ingredient called curcumin.
In fact, some say that the right dose of curcumin is proven more effective than OTC ibuprofen. Those who suffer from the following conditions will significantly benefit from curcumin:
- IBS or inflammatory bowel syndrome
- Pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas)
- Psoriasis (inflamed skin)
- Arthritis (inflamed joints)
- Asthma (inflamed airways)
Protects Against the Leading Cause of Death: Heart Disease
Scientists say that curcumin improves the body’s endothelial function, which refers to the membrane covering the blood vessels and heart. This thin membrane helps regulate blood pressure. Unfortunately, as people age, this endothelial function declines, leading to an increased propensity for heart disease.
Hence, when you buy turmeric in NZ and incorporate it into your supplementation regimen, you protect yourself against function loss. More importantly, you minimise the risk of developing heart disease.
Prevents Tumor Growth and the Dreaded Big C
Apart from heart attacks, cancer is one of the most deadly diseases that debilitate and kill humans. Fortunately, curcumin is linked with cancer prevention because it prevents inflammation, the precursor of tumor growth.
This strong antioxidant works in preventing growth formation and interfering with the cancerous cells’ cycle. Thus, it can impede the onset of the following cancer types:
- Gastric
- Colorectal
- Breast
- Prostate
- Pancreatic
Helps in Preventing the Onset of Diabetes
If you take turmeric, you can keep diabetes at bay. Past studies show that curcumin has the power to treat and prevent diabetes, including disorders like diabetic kidney disease. This is because turmeric decreases blood sugar while increasing the production of plasma insulin. As a result, your body can better regulate your blood sugar. As an added benefit, it can help reduce your cravings.
Delays and (May Even Reverse) Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease that often hits older people. If you want to decrease your likelihood of acquiring this disease, taking turmeric will help. Why? Because it increases your body’s BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) levels.
The BDNF is a protein commonly found in the spinal cord and brain. It plays a key component in keeping your neurons or nerve cells healthy. It also regulates the communication pathways between these nerve cells, which play a vital role in memory. Unfortunately, diseases like Alzheimer’s or dementia are associated with lowered BDNF, so taking turmeric can counter that.
Plays a Big Role in Helping Manage Depression
Similar to Alzheimer’s, depression is associated with lower levels of BDNF. When you take this spice, you boost it up. Thus, turmeric has an antidepressant property that can regulate mood and make you feel happy. A study on humans showed that turmeric had significant benefits and showed improvements in a clinical study that compared this root crop with Prozac (a common medication for depression).
