Curcuma is a treasure of medicinal virtues. It is a spice that is part of Indian curry extremely rich in benefits. Its main component is curcumin, it is part of the family of curcuminoids which have a very big antioxidant power that protects us against cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and helps to curb the development of Alzheimer's disease.It also relieves pain.
Curcuma is particularly popular in the Okinawa region. Famous for their longevity, the people of Okinawa consider that curcuma is one of the foods contributing to their exceptional health.
It can also replace some medicines (with a medical follow-up, of course one must not play with one's health).
Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial
It is a powerful anti-inflammatory. It relieves joint, muscular and dorsal pain and unlike corticosteroids, it has no side effects (regression of natural immune defenses or bone fragility) and does not create dependence on the consumer.
It is advisable to combine it with black pepper because it stimulates bioavailability (absorption rate, part of a nutrient present in a food that is assimilated by the body) of the curcuma in the body (the black pepper would multiply 1000, even 2000 the absorption of curcuma !) In order to make it more efficient. For better absorption, it must also be solubilized in olive oil preferably. Curcuma helps to curb the development of tumors (cancer of the brain, prostate, colon, liver, stomach, leukemia, breast cancer, ...).
At the same age, Indians have 8 times fewer lung cancers than Westerners, 9 times less cancers of the colon, 5 times fewer breast cancers and up to 10 times fewer cancers of the kidney.
The difference would be attributed to their high consumption of curcuma, which is an average of 1.5 to 2 g of curcuma per day (equivalent to a quarter to half a teaspoon).
Anti-coagulant
It can replace aspirin which can cause damage such as deterioration of the stomach lining, gastric ulcers and digestive disorders.
Curcuma does the same job as aspirin, sparing us its side effects. It fluidifies the blood and prevents it from coagulating and thus reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Fight against bad cholesterol
It rebalances the lipid balance (bad fat) in the blood. It reduces the level of bad LDL cholesterol, interacting on its absorption at the intestines. An Indian study showed that the use of curcumin increased the level of good HDL cholesterol in the body by 29%.
Curcuma helps to fight diseases related to hypercholesterolemia. It is also effective in the control of hepatic insufficiency, multiple sclerosis, ...Curcumin prevents arteries from hardening and reduces the risk of strokes.
Diabetes
Studies show that it improves the insulin sensitivity of muscles and liver. It stimulates the production of insulin, pancreatic functions and it eliminates inflammation caused by hyperglycemia.
Depression
Curcuma would be as effective as some antidepressants.
Consumption
It is recommended to add curcuma in sauces, vinaigrettes and other cooked dishes (soups, vegetables, rice, pasta, ...).
Add half a teaspoon of curcuma to your dishes every day, not to mention pepper (black pepper) and olive oil.
Caution : curry mixes may contain only 1/5 or less of curcuma. So it is better to use curcuma powder instead of curry and organic if possible.
I hope this post pleased you. Anyway I learned a lot about curcuma by realizing it and once I do my shopping I will give a spice ray to fill up with curcuma !!
If you do not know where to find it you can look on Amazon ;-)
