Turmeric has long been used as an herbal medicine in India, where it’s known as the miracle spice or golden spice because of its incredible health benefits. Scientific research on turmeric has supported its traditional uses, revealing that this versatile ingredient has amazing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help improve your overall health, especially if you are a WOMAN.
So, if you want to know more about turmeric benefits for women, here are the top 10 reasons why you should use turmeric today!
10 Turmeric Benefits For Women for good Health
1. Anti-inflammatory properties
Curcumin, a chemical compound found in turmeric, has strong anti-inflammatory properties. This means it helps fight painful conditions like arthritis. Using it regularly may help keep osteoarthritis at bay because inflammation contributes to cartilage degeneration. As you age, your body’s ability to repair damaged joints declines.
Consequently, many women develop osteoarthritis as their cartilage erodes over time. But curcumin slows down these natural aging processes so that they don’t have an adverse effect on your joints. The result? You can keep active and maintain your quality of life even if you suffer from osteoarthritis.
In fact, research shows that some people with rheumatoid arthritis consume up to 2 grams of turmeric daily with few side effects other than mild GI distress. It’s likely safe to use up to 3.6 g per day, especially since there are no known drug interactions between turmeric and prescription medications. And although dosages over 4 g per day haven’t been tested, there are no signs that anything harmful will happen if you go above 4 g daily.
2. Lowers risk of heart disease
One of turmeric’s most important health benefits is its ability to lower cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk. By preventing excess fat from accumulating in arteries, turmeric protects against heart attacks and strokes. A study published in Nutrition Journal found that participants who consumed curcumin with their high-fat meal experienced a 28% reduction in triglycerides compared to those who didn’t. [Triglycerides are a type of fat molecule that easily collects within blood vessels.]
Although only temporary, even slight increases in triglyceride levels can significantly increase your risk of developing heart disease. Because turmeric can prevent the buildup of artery-clogging plaque (atherosclerosis), it may help prevent stroke or avert a life-threatening event like a heart attack. That’s great news for women!
3. Fights acne
Your skin, especially for a woman, is your largest organ, and just like everything else in your body, it can benefit from turmeric’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties.
By using turmeric in your skincare routine, you can treat acne and prevent future breakouts. Try mixing a little bit of turmeric with coconut oil and applying it directly to blemishes; use a clean cloth to gently dab away any excess coconut oil that doesn’t soak into your skin. Keep in mind that if you have sensitive skin, use an extremely small amount at first and see how well your body responds before gradually increasing usage over time.
As with all new products, always test out a tiny patch on your skin for allergies before applying to larger areas. And be sure to check out our other great skin care tips!
4. Treats PMS symptoms
Do you have PMS? It’s a killer. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. In addition to cramps, bloating, and cravings, it can bring on irritability and mood swings—and there are some days when it feels like your body hates you. Thankfully, science is on our side when it comes to treating PMS symptoms.
The active compound in turmeric, curcumin, has been shown to be just as effective as ibuprofen at relieving pain caused by menstrual cramps. You can take it in supplement form or drink turmeric tea; either way, drinking one cup of hot (not boiling) water with two tablespoons of honey and two teaspoons of turmeric will make your day brighter. It works best if you sip on it over an eight-hour period during menstruation. Now that’s something worth drinking to!
5. Supports weight loss
Curcumin, the wonder compound found in turmeric, might help fight obesity. In lab studies, curcumin helped decrease fat storage and increase lipolysis (the breakdown of fat). The compound increased thermogenesis (heat production) and fat oxidation (breakdown of fat) in mice eating a high-fat diet. Curcumin also increased norepinephrine-induced lipolysis and fatty acid beta-oxidation in rat white adipose tissue.
Researchers believe that curcumin may have anti-inflammatory effects that could reduce inflammation caused by visceral fat deposition. More research is needed to fully understand how turmeric benefits weight loss, but its use has been associated with lower body weight, body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score, and waist circumference in people with metabolic syndrome. This suggests that it could be used as an adjuvant therapy to treat or prevent obesity and related diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
A study on 60 people with type 2 diabetes suggested that adding 1 gram of curcuminoids twice daily for 4 months improved some measures of glucose control and lipid metabolism.
Another human study showed similar results: A daily dose of 450 mg/day of a mixture containing curcuminoids from turmeric improved cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, insulin sensitivity, and other factors linked to type 2 diabetes after just 15 days. Further research on humans is needed before conclusions can be made about these benefits for obesity management.
6. Helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease
A study by Advances in Food and Nutrition Research showed that turmeric use decreased age-related memory loss and protected brain function. It might even offer protection against Alzheimer’s disease. The key is to take regular dosages—try to include it in as many dishes as possible. If you don’t like its flavor (it has a strong taste), add some pepper or cinnamon to mask it.
You can also eat more fresh ginger (also known for its health benefits). When cooking with either one, remember to use slightly less than you would when cooking without them so they maintain their medicinal potency.
7. Protects brain function
According to a study published in 2013 in Phytotherapy Research, curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric, has neuroprotective properties that can protect against memory loss. Another study published in Phytomedicine found that curcumin improves long-term memory in both young and old mice. This herb can also help reverse age-related memory decline by reducing inflammation.
A 2012 study published in Biogerontology found that chronic administration of curcumin reversed short-term memory impairment and prevented it from happening again. The researchers used high doses of curcumin – 400 mg per kg – divided into two equal doses daily.
For comparison’s sake, many supplements are sold at 50 mg capsules, making them more affordable. Curcumin is considered safe when taken at dosages under 8 g/day. Of course, consult your doctor before taking any supplement or new medication.
8. Reduces dandruff and hair loss
Curcumin in turmeric has been shown to help improve hair growth and reduce dandruff. According to a study published in Phytotherapy Research, curcumin promotes hair shaft elongation and stimulates proteins that promote hair health. The curry spice also contains essential oils that nourish hair follicles and prevent them from becoming inflamed or infected, which can cause inflammation-triggered conditions like scalp psoriasis. It’s especially important for people with sensitive skin to eat more foods rich in anti-inflammatory compounds like curcumin.
One 2013 study found that turmeric was one of a handful of spices—along with cinnamon, cayenne pepper, ginger, garlic and cloves—that had potent antioxidant properties. In fact, turmeric exhibited one of the strongest free radical scavenging abilities out of all 84 spices studied! In addition to improving scalp conditions such as dandruff and helping you grow your hair longer and stronger naturally, turmeric is also proven to fight sun damage when applied topically.
9. Provides relief from menstrual pain
It has long been believed that turmeric can provide relief from painful menstrual cramps, and several studies suggest it may indeed be an effective remedy. Although it is not entirely clear how turmeric works to reduce pain associated with menstruation, some experts believe that compounds in turmeric called curcuminoids help block enzymes that cause inflammation in muscles throughout your body, including those in your uterus. This inflammation is thought to contribute to menstrual pain.
According to a study published in 2007 in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers found that women who took 2 grams of curcumin each day experienced a significant reduction in both non-menstrual and menstrual pain compared with women who took a placebo. Another study published in 2008, also found that women who were given 4 grams of powdered turmeric daily reported less severe menstrual symptoms than those taking a placebo or no treatment at all.
The same group of women also had significantly lower blood levels of two proteins known to trigger muscle spasms—as well as lower levels of prostaglandin E2, which promotes inflammation within uterine tissue—compared with the other groups. However, further research is needed to determine if turmeric really does have therapeutic effects on menstrual pain.
10. Prevents tooth decay
Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties can help with tooth pain and gum irritation. It also kills bacteria that cause cavities, so turmeric is great for preventing tooth decay. You can use turmeric as a teeth whitener by rubbing it on your teeth and leaving it on overnight.
If you have sensitive teeth or gums, be sure to dilute it with coconut oil before applying. Also, make sure you’re buying good quality turmeric powder—the best ones will say curcuminoids or extract somewhere on their packaging. Make sure there are at least 95% active ingredients in any turmeric powder you buy. Anything less than that won’t give you all of turmeric’s incredible benefits!
Also, Read;
- Kahwa: A Divine Kashmiri Tea That Keeps You Immune
- Best Turmeric Teas in India 2021
- Top 5 Best Immunity Kits in India
- Best Turmeric Milk Latte
- Vitamin C Health Benefits, Sources, & More
- How to Boost Your Immunity Through Desi Food
Conclusion
So, here are some of our top turmeric benefits for women. Let us know what you think in the comments section below! Also, if there are other health benefits of turmeric you want to share, please do so. We love hearing from our readers. Thanks for reading!