This spice has to be the most hidden jewel in the spice cupboard of all times! Commonly known to most as the yellow food colouring in Indian food that stains your clothes; this little gem is actually a super power of the spice grail.
Turmeric stops laboratory strains of Melanoma from growing and kills cancer cells by shutting down nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), a powerful protein known to induce an abnormal inflammatory response that leads to an assortment of disorders such as Arthrtis and Cancer. Curcumin has the ability to destroy cancerous cells without damaging the good cells
‘Curcumin’ (nothing to do with cumin – the spice) is the main biologically active phytochemical compound of Turmeric; This compound has been extensively researched and found to have such powerful medicianal values and is an extremely potent Antioxidant.
Turmeric has had a long standing ovation in Asia for its many medicianal values; traditionally known for it anti inflammatory effects to treat a wide variety of conditions, including flatulence, jaundice menstrual difficulties, bloody urine; as well as its anti bacterial properties; it cures nausea thus taken as a ginger sweet to prevent travel sickness.
These are some of the more simple values – its real benefits lies in the effect on the brain. Curcumin break up heavy metals and the hard protein plaques that are found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Clinical trials are currently under way concerning this benefit. Studies show that the curcumin-treated patient group also had less blood vessel growth in fat tissue. Blood glucose, triglyceride, fatty acid, cholesterol and liver fat levels also were lower. This would sugget that turmeric and its related root – ginger also has very positive effects on the blood.
At the present time it is not known whether the amount of curcumin normally present in food dishes prepared with turmeric is sufficient to slow down the growth of complex fat-tissue secretions that are involved in recruiting new blood vessel growth. The researchers’ next step is to determine the effectiveness of dietary intake of curcumin in reducing weight in humans.
Watch this space !
PS: Look in our receipe section to find ways in which to use Turmeric and its close alley Ginger. For more information about the uses of Turmeric or learning to cook Indian Asian food please contact The Cooking Academy on www.thecookingacademy.co.uk