Turmeric is used in the kitchens of almost all South Asian countries including India and often such claims are made that there are many benefits of eating turmeric. You will find thousands of such articles from the Internet to newspapers and different magazines, in which turmeric is said to be beneficial for heartburn, indigestion and serious diseases like diabetes, depression, Alzheimer’s. It is even said in some articles that turmeric can also be used to treat cancer. Turmeric is not only used in food but it is also said to be very beneficial for the skin.
Hundreds of studies have been done on turmeric. It is believed that a compound present in it is responsible for its medicinal properties. This is – curcumin. Turmeric is yellow in color due to curcumin. Turmeric is generally considered a bright yellow spice. It is a spice from the ginger family. It is cultivated in many hot regions around the world.
Turmeric has been used for a long time for health benefits as well as for enhancing the taste. Turmeric has been used for hundreds of years in many countries like India and China to treat skin diseases, respiratory problems, joint pain and digestive diseases. According to the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in India, there are many benefits of consuming turmeric and the ministry has also given a long list of it.
In an experiment conducted on rats, it was found that a very high amount of curcumin was successful in preventing the growth of many types of cancer in them. After a study conducted on rats, scientists have said that cirrhosis i.e. liver disease can be cured with curcumin found in turmeric. This study has also been published in the British medical journal ‘Gut’.
In their study, Austrian scientists wanted to find out whether curcumin can postpone liver diseases for some time or not. Primary sclerosing and primary biliary cirrhosis are the main conditions. In both these conditions, the liver can suffer several types of damage. Scientists said that this can lead to fatal liver cirrhosis. The head of this study was Michael Turner of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (study of liver) at the Medical University of Graz, Austria. Earlier studies had said that turmeric can easily fight some diseases due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
But turmeric contains only 2-3% curcumin and when we eat it, it is not absorbed in our body in that quantity.
However, very few written studies have mentioned what should be the normal amount of turmeric in food.
Bangalore-based doctor and nutrition expert Atreya Niharchandra says, “Many types of research have been done on turmeric. We do not give animal products or dairy products to cancer patients of any stage. We give them vegetables or fruits. For such patients, turmeric is helpful in killing germs and keeping the digestive system healthy.”
She says, “Turmeric is commonly added to Indian food because it aids digestion. Turmeric helps fight the effects of pollution on the body. In many countries of the world, turmeric is not added to the daily diet, so they take turmeric tablets instead.
Dr. Atreya Niharchandra says, “Generally, it is safe to take one teaspoon of turmeric or up to eight grams of turmeric daily.” She explains, “If we look at it more precisely, then 1.4 milligrams of turmeric should be used daily for one kilogram of body weight. That is, if someone weighs 60 kg, he can consume about 8.4 grams of turmeric.”
In India, weddings also have such rituals in which turmeric is used. Due to the properties of turmeric, it is also added to many beauty products. Nutrition expert Dr. Seema Gulati says that turmeric has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Due to which it is also beneficial in many types of skin infections.
Generally, consuming turmeric in appropriate quantities in the traditional way is safe. However, excessive amount of turmeric in food or eating more of its tablets can also have bad effects. Eating too much turmeric can cause problems like nausea, vomiting, acid reflux (burning in the chest and throat), upset stomach, diarrhea or constipation.
Nutrition expert Dr. Seema Gulati says, “If someone has any problem with turmeric personally, it is a different matter, but if turmeric is taken in the prescribed quantity, then there is no harm in it. No harm has been seen so far.” There have been many studies on the effect of curcumin on blood and the possible consequences of using it with aspirin.
Seema Gulati says, “Taking it in excess can sometimes cause gastric problems or aspirin-like effects.” According to Dr. Atrey, people who take medicines like aspirin are advised not to take turmeric or people with blood thinning problems are also advised not to take turmeric.
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