This is What Happens to Your Liver and Brain When You Eat ½ TSP of Turmeric Every Day
Turmeric, one of the most popular spices, is a highly versatile ingredient and it is thus used in many different dishes, especially the South Asian ones. Due to the fact that its beneficial properties are also already well-known, it is also used as a natural supplement to treat various health issues. However, few people know that regular consumption of turmeric beneficially affects both the brain and liver too. Keep reading for more in-depth information.
Turmeric For Brain Health
As mentioned above, turmeric`s ability to treat physical ailments has been known for a long time. However, until recently, its mental benefits have been less known.
Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is believed to be a promising treatment for Alzheimer`s disease. It is believed that one of the main causes of Alzheimer`s is the plaque that builds up in the brain, called beta-amyloid plaques. Interestingly, it has been scientifically shown that curcumin has the ability to inhibit the build-up of this plaque by up to 40 percent, which in turn makes it quite promising treatment for Alzheimer`s disease.
Additionally, the researchers have found that the anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin play a critical role in Alzheimer`s treatment, as it reduces damage caused by oxidizing agents and inflammation.
Liver Function And Cancer Prevention
Promoting liver health is another less-known benefit of turmeric. Namely, curcumin has been used to treat liver diseases for over hundreds of years. However, not until recently has a legitimate scientific research on its effects been conducted.
According to the researchers, what makes curcumin beneficial to liver health are its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. It has been scientifically shown that curcumin has the ability to reduce liver damage caused by the following culprits:
– Iron overdose
– High toxicity levels
– Ethanol ( the type of alcohol you drink)
– Liver disease ( such as cholestasis)
In addition to this, it has been found that curcumin is able to reduce the risk of developing liver cancer by reducing the human carcinogens on the liver, such as thioacetamide.
How To Get The Most Out Of It
When taken raw, only 1 percent of the curcumin is actually absorbed by the body. In order to get the most of it, the best would be to use high-quality organic turmeric extract with 95 percent curcuminoids. However, this doesn’t mean that turmeric doesn’t do anything if you consume it daily. The extract is recommended for emergency situations while a ¼ tsp of turmeric of a daily basis is enough to reduce inflammation and prevent diseases.
A good way to get the recommended dosage of curcumin for the day is to boil water and add ¼ tsp turmeric. By doing so, you have actually created a 12 percent solution.
Combining turmeric with some oil or fat is another good way to eat it, as the combination of turmeric and fats significantly increases its bioavailability. For instance, you can blend 1-2 egg yolks with a teaspoon of coconut oil and a tablespoon of turmeric. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you have to combine turmeric with eggs in order to get the most of it. Given the fact that most recipes contain fat, you can add turmeric to a soup, curry, or any other recipe to your preference.