You’ve likely seen a lot of information about the amazing health benefits of turmeric for overall wellness, joint mobility, and healthy aging.

When it comes to the incredible potential of turmeric to help keep us healthy and feeling our best, there are some often overlooked health benefits of turmeric that many may not have considered. 

But first, what actually is turmeric?

Turmeric, also known as Curcuma longa, is the root of a flowering plant. If you've ever seen fresh turmeric, you might have noticed that it looks pretty similar to ginger. That's because this golden root is actually a relative of the ginger plant.

Like ginger, turmeric has also been used as a spice for cooking for centuries. If you're a fan of Indian food, you've probably eaten turmeric on more than one occasion!

Turmeric is typically used in cuisine from the Middle East and Southeast Asia. In these regions, people have historically used turmeric for the host of health benefits that it offers.

How about turmeric supplements?

In recent years, turmeric has also become popular as a dietary supplement. Nowadays it's no longer only used as a spice but can be found in all sorts of shapes and forms, from powders to capsules. It's even available as a gummy supplement thanks to the latest gummy supplement trend!

Like ginger, turmeric root comes in many different forms including fresh, dried, or ground. Pairing turmeric with black pepper extract can help boost its beneficial effects.

Whare the health benefits of turmeric combined with black pepper?

This peppery spice extract contains a compound known as piperine. This compound is thought to help curcumin, a compound in turmeric, be more bioavailable. Essentially, this means that the body can absorb it more easily and reap the most benefits.

Is it okay to take turmeric every day?

If you choose to use turmeric as a spice added to foods, it's generally considered safe to eat turmeric on a daily basis. If you are taking turmeric supplements, you should always follow the suggested directions for use found on the label.

As with any dietary supplement, it's always best to follow the advice of your doctor and to consult a health care professional if you have any specific medical questions. This is especially advisable if you have prior health conditions.

Here are the top 5 benefits of turmeric curcumin:

1. TURMERIC FOR WHOLE-BODY WELLNESS

Adding turmeric to your diet or using a turmeric supplement can be an easy way to boost your general wellness. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin which is thought to be a powerful antioxidant.

Although we mention antioxidants a lot, it's sometimes a bit unclear why we need them and what they are. Antioxidants are essentially compounds that help fight free radicals in the body. They exist naturally in the body but are also found in some foods.

Foods that have potent antioxidant properties include plant-based foods like fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants can come with a whole range of benefits including promoting healthy immune function and skin health.

Including antioxidant-rich ingredients in our daily routines can do so much for our body thanks to their many purported benefits. Getting plenty of antioxidant-rich ingredients can help maintain the balance between antioxidants and free radicals.

This is important for our overall wellness as the oxidative stress caused by free radicals has been linked to conditions that can be seriously harmful to our health.

2.  MAY SUPPORT A HEALTHY HEART

One of the key benefits that some studies have linked to turmeric is the role it may play in supporting cardiovascular health. Our heart does so much for us every single day by keeping our bodies going - it's essential that we take good care of it!

There's been a lot of discussion in recent years about cholesterol and how important it is to keep our cholesterol in check. Perhaps it's no wonder that scientists are looking into new ways of doing just that.

One study of volunteers discovered that taking 500mg of curcumin per day dropped participants' total cholesterol by 11.63 %, and HDL ( “good” cholesterol) went up 29% in only seven days. Although there is more research to be done, initial findings as they relate to curcumin have been promising so far!

3. CURCUMIN FOR JOINT SUPPORT

As we age, it's not uncommon to experience more joint stiffness and less mobility. Yet, at the same time, it's so important to try to stay as active as we can. That's why, in addition to getting plenty of rest and keeping track of our nutrition, finding ways to maintain an active lifestyle is key.

Turmeric is often found in many joint support formulas - and for good reason! Turmeric may act as a joint booster, especially for those who experience age-related joint discomfort and stiffness.

One study suggested that using a curcumin supplement helped to comfort tender joints. They recommended that more studies be conducted to look into the many ways that turmeric can be used to support healthy aging. 

4. MAY HELP WITH STRESS TOLERANCE

Feeling stressed is an experience that many of us can probably relate to. Stress can have a negative impact on our wellness so finding ways to cope with stress can be highly beneficial to our health.

Some ways to deal with the impact of stress include getting good quality sleep, looking after our diet, and getting enough daily exercise. It may also be beneficial to look into other popular methods of coping with stress such as yoga, meditation, or journaling.

Did you know that adaptogens found in natural herbal remedies may also allow you to better manage stress? Curcumin is the adaptogen found in turmeric that may help your body handle stress more efficiently.

Researchers in India in 2011 discovered that turmeric had many adaptogenic qualities that assist the body with numerous health functions, from maintaining healthy stress hormone levels to memory, mood, and focus.  

5. BOOSTS DIGESTIVE HEALTH

Taking care of our digestive system is another way to look after our general wellness. Some studies have found that curcumin can help support healthy digestion and therefore, can support a healthy metabolism as well.

Some studies have even begun looking at possible ties between weight management and curcumin, but more research is needed in this area before we truly understand the full potential of curcumin on metabolism.

Other surprising benefits of turmeric are that it may:

SUPPORT HEALTHY COGNITION

Several studies have shown that curcumin may have a protective effect on brain health, and may even help you make decisions, think clearer, and solve problems faster. Pretty exciting, right?

These studies are looking into curcumin for its potential to boost brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is essential to healthy brain function and preventing age-related cognitive decline. Curcumin is being researched for its ability to also potentially enhance neurons and form new connections in the brain – these are two key factors we absolutely need as we get older. 

BDNF lays the foundation for the “pathways” in your brain to move more easily to the sites where they are required most. High BDNF levels are connected to improved memory and emotional stability. 

HELP WITH MOOD

Did you know that there's a chance that adding a high-quality turmeric extract to your routine may help you feel a bit more positive, cheerful, and upbeat?

Researchers are now beginning to look into the possibility that curcumin may provide the body with an increase of serotonin and dopamine, the “happy” chemicals in our brains.

In one particular scientific study, 60 people diagnosed with depression took either Prozac, curcumin, or a combination of both. The ones who ingested only curcumin had increases in their mood that would rival Prozac. We can't wait to see what promising studies might be conducted next in regards to curcumin and its potential impact on mood!

Adding turmeric to your daily routine

If you're interested in trying out turmeric (curcumin) there are several ways that you can add turmeric powder to your daily wellness routine:

• Use turmeric as a spice next time you cook dinner
• Add a pinch of turmeric powder to your morning smoothie
• Replace your afternoon cup of coffee with a delicious turmeric latte
• Make a ginger and turmeric shot (if you have a juicer) 

To get the most out of adding turmeric to your daily routine, be sure to combine it with healthy lifestyle habits such as eating a well-balanced diet, getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and exercising on a regular basis.

If you really want to reap the maximum benefits of turmeric you could also try out a turmeric supplement!

Our Turmeric Complex formula contains high-quality turmeric extract which we've combined with BioPerine black pepper extract for optimum absorption.

DO YOU HAVE A TURMERIC COMPLEX SUCCESS STORY YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW AND LET US KNOW. WE CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

AND REMEMBER...

IT'S ABOUT YOU. IT'S ABOUT YOUR HEALTH. IT'S ABOUT RECONNECTING.