Key Health Benefits Of Turmeric

Many people know turmeric as that bright yellow powder that smells amazing and turns your food a lovely shade of yellow-orange. Spices are wonderful to cook with, yes, but most have incredible health benefits, too, that very few know about. At What’s For Dinner, we’d like our readers to be more informed about the wonderful range of spices available from the experts at Robertson’s, so we’ve created a little, all-you-need-to-know guide on the health benefits of a range of spices – a Spice Masterclass if you will.

In this blog, we tell you all about the health benefits of turmeric from fighting inflammation to boosting cognitive function. We also give you recipe ideas on how to incorporate turmeric into a yummy meal that the whole family will enjoy.

What Is Turmeric and Where Does It Come From?

Turmeric is a different kind of herb than most. Most herbs are harvested by using leaves or flowers, but turmeric is the root or rhizome of the plant. That is why it is considered a part of the ginger family.
Turmeric naturally originated from India and gives a bitter, almost black pepper-like flavour to foods and liquids. It has a warm aroma, reminding many of the smell of mustard. Turmeric is not only used for cooking and as a health supplement, but as a food colouring and also as a fabric dye.

What are the Health Benefits of Consuming Turmeric?

Turmeric is not only a deliciously earthy spice that can be used in cooking but it can also be used as a spice in teas and can even be taken in a tablet form as a health supplement. Turmeric’s health benefits include the fact that this little orange root contains a large number of nutrients and vitamins like calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C and iron that are incredibly beneficial to us.

The best way to take turmeric is to incorporate it into your everyday cooking or to take it in a health supplement form. When it comes to turmeric nutrition facts, this spice is considered one of the most nutritious kinds. Here are more turmeric powder benefits for the human body;

Aids in Digestion

Turmeric has been known to improve indigestion and stomach conditions like ulcers and gastrointestinal disorders, even irritable bowel syndrome.

Boosts Immunity & Fights Inflammation

Scientists have found that turmeric can lower inflammation as well as pain and swelling, it can help to improve your immunity, and can be taken to lessen symptoms of viral infections like colds and flu.

Improves Skin Conditions

There are numerous turmeric benefits for the skin - it can help to improve certain skin conditions like acne as well as some skin diseases.

Improves Cognitive Function

The spice has been known to offer improved mental health benefits like lessening depression and other conditions like epilepsy. It also acts as a nerve-protecting agent that can help to improve the functioning of nerve endings in the brain and therefore improve cognition.
When it comes to using turmeric as medicine the science is there to support this thinking. Other benefits of turmeric powder include;

• Lowering blood sugar levels
• Lessening PMS symptoms
• Improving cholesterol levels
• Improving arthritis symptoms
• Reducing risk of cancer

Doesn't that sound delightful? Get the recipe here. For more mouth-watering vegan meal ideas, click here.

How to Add Turmeric To Your Diet?

An easy way to add turmeric into your diet, without taking it in a tablet or supplement form, is to learn to cook with it. The flavourful, peppery spice makes a wonderful addition to many dinner dishes and combines beautifully with most curries, seafood dishes and rice dishes. Here are a few of our favourite recipes that include turmeric as the spice hero;

• Spicy Rice Pilau
• Spice Island Inspired Seafood & Coconut Curry

Where to buy Turmeric?

You can buy Robertson’s Turmeric from most of your local retailers, countrywide. Make sure to always ask for Robertson’s to get the best spice for your cooking.

Visit What’s For Dinner today for more mouth-watering meal inspiration.