Turmeric is known as a kitchen spice. Even so, the benefits of turmeric are not only delicious, but also good for health, such as preventing cancer and reducing the risk of heart disease. In addition, there are still many health benefits of turmeric.
Apart from being an ingredient in cooking, turmeric has also been used for a long time in traditional medicine. This is because of the curcumin content in the turmeric rhizome. In addition to giving color to turmeric, curcumin is also thought to have good properties for body health.
Nutritional Content of Turmeric
In 100 grams of turmeric, contains the following various nutrients:
- 10 grams of protein
- 168 milligrams of calcium
- 208 milligrams of magnesium
- 299 milligrams of phosphorus
- 2 grams of potassium
- 1 milligram of vitamin C
- 55 milligrams of iron
In addition to some of the nutrients above, turmeric also contains compounds that are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial which are very beneficial for the health of the body.
Various Benefits of Turmeric for Health
Thanks to the nutritional content mentioned above, turmeric has a variety of benefits that are good for health, such as:
1. Reducing pain in people with osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a disease that causes joints to become painful, stiff, and lose flexibility. Several studies have shown that taking turmeric extract can reduce pain, because turmeric has a comparable effect to ibuprofen in treating osteoarthritis.
However, if you want to use turmeric extract to treat this disease, consult your doctor first to find out the right dose.
2. Prevent heart disease
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the world. Turmeric is known to prevent heart disease because it contains curcumin which can improve the function of the endothelium or the lining of blood vessels.
In addition, turmeric also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that play an important role in preventing heart disease. However, further research is still needed to confirm the effectiveness of turmeric in reducing the risk of heart disease.
3. Relieves itching on the skin
Studies show that turmeric can relieve itchy skin caused by chronic kidney disease.
You can consume turmeric 3 times a day for 8 weeks, by combining a product containing curcumin and black pepper extract to relieve this itching.
4. Relieve menstrual disorders
Studies show that supplements containing curcumin can relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Not only that, turmeric is also known to relieve cramps that are commonly experienced by women during menstruation. However, further research is still needed to prove its effectiveness.
5. Overcoming digestive tract disorders
The curcumin contained in turmeric has been shown to be effective in overcoming various digestive tract disorders, such as: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dyspepsia, peptic ulcers, and pancreatitis.
6. Prevent cancer
Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties that are known to inhibit the growth, development, and spread of cancer cells. However, further research is still needed to prove the effectiveness of turmeric in preventing cancer.
7. Reduce depression
Studies show that consuming turmeric can reduce symptoms of depression. This is because the curcumin in turmeric can help antidepressants work better.
8. Solve skin problems
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, turmeric can be used to treat various skin disorders, such as acne, eczema, premature aging, and psoriasis.
In addition, there are still some benefits of turmeric that you can get, such as preventing Alzheimer's disease, lowering bad cholesterol, preventing diabetes, and maintaining eye health. However, all of this still requires further research to ensure its effectiveness for health.
Turmeric is also claimed to be used as a remedy for appendicitis. However, this claim is just a myth. Until now, there has been no medical scientific research that confirms this.
Side Effects of Consuming Turmeric
Until now, no side effects have been found from the use of turmeric at low doses. The study also noted that there were no side effects in people who consumed 490 mg of turmeric per day for a week.
However, excessive consumption of turmeric is also not good for the body. There are several side effects that can arise when turmeric is consumed in excess, such as:
- Digestive disorders, such as flatulence, acid reflux disease, and diarrhea
- Headache
- Nauseous
- Rash on the skin
- The risk of colon cancer and liver cancer
The benefits of turmeric for the health of the body are indeed quite a lot. However, you still have to be careful in consuming it. Avoid excessive consumption of turmeric, either in fresh form or supplements.
If you want to take turmeric supplements, choose a supplement that has been registered with the BPOM to ensure its safety.
If you want to take turmeric as a companion for the treatment of certain diseases, especially turmeric in the form of supplements, you should first consult a doctor to prevent drug interactions or side effects from occurring. Thus, you can get the maximum benefits of turmeric.