The Yellow Gold : benefits of eating raw turmeric

One spice that takes over the masala dabba in your house is haldi, turmeric. The yellow-colored stain on your pitch white manicure that does not leave for weeks, is haldi. That one orange patch on your white kurta is haldi. Why haldi? And why so much Haldi? This is because nothing beats the gold of this spice. The use of turmeric dates back to more than 300 years. Since then it has been used not only in food but also in medicines and cosmetics. But did you know that raw haldi is an even better competitor? Let us see how!

What is this cool spice?

Turmeric is derived from the stems of Curcuma longa, a medicinal plant. It contains an element known as curcumin which is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-depressant, and calming properties. It is well known to help with muscle soreness, deal with cancerous cells, eliminate symptoms of depression, and soothe the nervous system. Not only this, but it also contains vitamins and minerals which are super helpful in the functioning of various systems in the body.

What are the benefits of eating raw turmeric?

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1. It contains bioactive compounds which are anti-inflammatory in nature. It is helpful in breaking down the fats and oils in food which makes it useful in supplements.
2. It fights inflammation and keeps the body shielded from chronic diseases.
3. Curcumin in raw turmeric is best known to improve memory and attention which are a part of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This also helps to reverse many brain diseases and normalize aging.
4. It is the best nutrient to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases as it helps in smoother functioning of the blood vessels and blood pressure. 
5. It prevents the cancerous cells from growing in your body. The curcumin supplements have been actively used in medicines which reduce metastasis and deal with cancer growth.
6. Even arthritis patients are advised the intake curcumin supplements which are known to reverse inflammation in the joints and relieve pain.

Where can you include raw turmeric in your diet?

Raw turmeric tastes bitter and hence it is almost impossible for a normal human to consume it without adding it to a vegetable or a sauce. But if you wish to add turmeric in your diet, you can add it in curries, sauces, smoothies, oatmeal, tea, stews, roasted veggies and even salads. 

The Bottomline:

Turmeric has always been highlighted for its antioxidant properties. Although it has an earthy, bitter flavor to it but the benefits it provides later are unmatched. Curcumin is not easily absorbed in the body but you can always look for supplements that include curcumin in them.