The Health benefits of turmeric for man are numerous, it is a plant blessed with several vitamins, minerals, and phytochemical compounds that play a vital role in our well-being, It also has an impact on fertility due to the presence of these certain vitamins and minerals we will discover when we go deeper.
It has long been noted by specialists in the field of traditional medicine that the health benefits of turmeric include its anti-inflammatory properties which help treat inflammation and muscle soreness induced during exercise and other athletic activities. The proven health benefits of turmeric, its side effects, impact on fertility form the bases of our discussion today, but before we fully dive into this, let us know a little about turmeric.
What Are Turmeric Spices
Curcuma longa (Turmeric) is a plant that belongs to the same family of ginger called Zingiberaceae. Like ginger, its rhizomes are most beneficial and hence served as spices used for cooking and as well as a medicinal herb. It is believed to be a powerful plant used as an herb in many Asian countries, and also as an active ingredient in making food and spices.
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Researchers have equally identified a major powerful compound in turmeric called curcumin an active ingredient with powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. There are several other phytochemical compounds, and minerals found in turmeric as listed below
Vitamins And Minerals In Turmeric
- Riboflavin
- Thiamine
- Niacin
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Iron
Phytochemical Compound in Turmeric
- Alkaloid
- Saponin
- tannin
- Sterol
- Polyphenol curcumin
- Hydrogen cyanide
- Flavenoid
- Cyanogenic
- Glycoside
Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric & Curcumin
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#1. Help In Treating Inflammatory Diseases
The turmeric plant is enriched with several phytochemicals and Polyphenol curcumin is one of them, it is about 3% and a study reveals that it is very potent in the treatment of inflammation diseases, bowel disease, pancreatitis, and arthritis, due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties [2].
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#2. Curcumin helps treat Depression
Polyphenol curcumin exhibits an anti-depression effect. A study reveals that curcumin in turmeric possesses potential pharmacological elements used in making drugs for depression [3]. Remember, depression is also attributed to lower levels of BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor) in the body and turmeric can boost BDNF levels.
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#3. Curcumin May Lower The Risk Of Chronic Diseases
Due to the presence of curcumin, the risk of many health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, and Alzheimer’s disease is lowered. Research reveals that the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin is positive in reducing inflammatory-related diseases.[4]
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#4. Turmeric Can Boost Body’s Immunity
One of the most important properties in curcumin of turmeric is its anti-inflammatory effect followed by its antioxidant effect. Study shows that curcumin can help to boost serum activities of antioxidants that fight oxidative stress and improve the body’s defense system against disease.[5,6]
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#5. Curcumin Can Inhibit The Growth Of Cancer Cell
Scientists have shown that curcumin possesses inhibitory properties against Cancer cells and can act as a chemotherapeutic element against oral, intestine, and skin cancers.[7,8]
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#6. Curcumin May Slow Down The Aging
In related research on mice, curcumin has
show positive reactivity towards peroxyl radicals resulting in the reduction of amyloid levels and plaque formation. These free radicals contribute to premature aging and curcumin help to fight these oxidative stress-release free radicals. [9]
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#7. Treatment Of Certain Skin Diseases
Turmeric is known for its importance in Indian culture and its use in dermatology and skin care due to its
antineoplastic, anti-proliferative, and antimicrobial effects.[10]
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8. Turmeric Helps Treat Arthritis
Over 250 million people all over the world are affected by osteoarthritis, a medical condition associated with inflammation of the joint, and one of the most important effects of curcumin is its anti-inflammatory property, research suggests that curcumin can substitute NSAIDs for patients with osteoarthritis, and a related pilot study shows it to produce an analgesic effect for pain relieve.[11]
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#9. May Lowers Blood Pressure
A study reveals that the Curcumin content of turmeric helps reduce the effect of several metabolic syndromes such as high blood pressure by boosting the sensitivity of our body’s insulin which can help in lowering high blood pressure. According to a result of a study— “spice up the hypertension diet” – on Wister rats, the
high blood pressure induced by L-NAME was partly prevented by pipeline and curcumin.[12, B]
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#10 May Inhibit The Growth Of Infectious Diseases
Considering the Health Benefits of Turmeric for man, a study has shown that it has a significant inhibitory action against infectious diseases such as Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus, Bacillus cereus, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, Aspergillus, and Penicillium.[13]
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#11. May Help in Treating Alzheimer’s disease
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, however, the curcumin in turmeric can help treat it since damages induced by inflammation and oxidative stress plays a role in Alzheimer’s disease, and curcumin is a proven help against inflammation and the impact of oxidative stress with may be effectively curbed by it antioxidants property.
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#12. May Be Helpful In Reliving Pain
Curcumin is an active ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry, and it is important in the production of pain-relieving medicine like ibuprofen, Aspirin, etc
Note there is no fact that Curcumin can treat Alzheimer’s disease. but its effects have shown some level of improvement in the pathological process of Alzheimer’s disease
Turmeric Side Effects
Excessive intake may cause nausea, stomach discomfort, dizziness, and diarrhea. However, there are no serious side effects of turmeric as long affirmed by JECFA —(Joint United Nations and World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives)
Turmeric Impact On Fertility
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Can Boost sperm quality
Scientists have linked a decrease in male sperm quality to the impact of oxidative stress as identified in patients with leucocytospermia. Research has also revealed that turmeric possesses antioxidant properties that fight oxidative stress.[13]
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May promote healthy sperm
Curcumin a powerful compound in turmeric that has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can greatly improve the quality of sperm due to its role in balancing hormone and testosterone levels.
READ ALSO: Benefits of Aiden fruit on fertility
Conclusion
The Health benefits of turmeric are numerous which are manifested in the effect of Curcumin found in turmeric which acts as a powerful antioxidant to boost immunity, fight oxidative stress, and help treat inflammatory disease. Turmeric’s impact on fertility includes its helpful effect in improving sperm quality. On turmeric side effects, there is no recorded evidence of this, however, some persons may experience slite nausea, stomach discomfort, dizziness, and diarrhea when as a result of excessive intake of turmeric.
JC is passionate about finding the impact of foods (feeding habits) on human fertility and reproductive health and a way to improve fertility.
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