Try Turmeric | Episode 22 | One Simple Thing | Optimists Wellness

Try Turmeric

Transcript

We are all mortals who want to improve our health and well-being with simple things without any hassle, but what is the right advice? Is it going out in the sun? Or standing on one leg? Or is it avoiding sugar? Welcome to the Optimists podcast, I’m Dr Sam Nishanth, and this is “One Simple Thing.” Here you will learn just one thing to improve your health in ways you might not expect.

In today’s episode, I’m going to tell you about one special ingredient which, when added in small amounts to your meal, boosts mood and memory and even reduces inflammation in your body.

It is no other than turmeric, a vibrant yellow-orange spice powder usually added to most curries and meals.

Turmeric is also known to boost immunity levels in your body. It has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties that enable your body to fight against various infections.

A glass of warm milk with a teaspoon full of turmeric added is recommended to avoid the common cold and flu.

Turmeric has an active ingredient called curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and other beneficial properties.

The antioxidant property of curcumin helps prevent heart diseases and diabetic cardiovascular conditions. It reduces cholesterol levels and also protects against the changes that develop with atherosclerosis.

Curcumin also helps reduce the risk of cancer by disturbing the growth of cancerous cells and helps prevent their spread at a molecular level.

In terms of mental health, turmeric alters one’s mood and also helps with depression by boosting the brain neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.

Studies have shown that curcumin boosts the levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), a brain hormone which plays a major part in neuronal survival and growth. Thus, turmeric helps with learning, memory and attention by increasing the development of new neurons in your brain.

It helps in the digestion process and reduces bloating. It also helps in stimulating bile production and treating pancreatitis.

When it comes to skin health, thanks to turmeric’s anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. It may be a very effective treatment for various skin problems like acne, eczema, psoriasis and photoaging, i.e. damage to the skin caused by sunlight and UV light.

Now talking of the ideal amount of turmeric that should be consumed, it is recommended to be kept under five teaspoons per day, not more than that. Too much turmeric intake might cause acid reflux, diarrhoea, dizziness and headaches.

Now jumping onto how to consume turmeric – It can be added for colour and flavour in your everyday curries and meals. However, it is pretty common in most Indian households.

‘Haldi Doodh’ or ‘Golden Milk’ is nothing but milk that contains turmeric. This beverage has immense health benefits.

You can also add black pepper along with turmeric, as piperine – a compound in black pepper enhances the absorption of turmeric in your body.

Now add turmeric to your everyday diet, or have turmeric milk or tea to enhance your health and well-being.

So if this is not one thing you are already doing, then do give it a try! Your heart, mind and skin could get benefitted.

That’s one thing to include in your daily routine for improving your body and life. Join me next time on “One simple thing” for a better tomorrow.