Ah, the mighty spice rack. Where would your kitchen (or our tastebuds) be without it? Believe it or not, spices can do more than just add some great flavor to your meals; there are a ton of healthy options out there that can also do wonders for your overall health. So when you sprinkle seasoning into your soup, you’re not only saving it from a bland fate. You could also be boosting your wellbeing! In fact, there’s one in particular that experts swear by for a healthier heart, a flatter stomach, and a sharper brain: turmeric.
That’s right. This famously yellow spice is well-known for its central role in curries and other delicious meals, but it’s also one of the healthiest seasonings out there. We spoke to health experts Catherine Gervacio, dietitian, and Mary Sabat, nutritionist, to learn more about how turmeric can improve your health. Find all of their expert insight below.
Turmeric for your heart, brain, and body
Turmeric offers an earthy flavor to a range of recipes, but it can also offer incredible benefits for your body. According to Gervacio, "It can definitely provide heart-healthy benefits and can aid in weight loss." And as Sabat notes, the anti-inflammatory properties can also boost your brain health.
Most of the benefits of turmeric are thanks to a compound called curcumin, "which is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties," Gervacio explains. Because of this powerful compound, she says, "Turmeric may help reduce the risk of heart disease by neutralizing the harmful free radicals that can damage the body, including the blood vessels." It could even lower your bad cholesterol (LDL).
Those anti-inflammatory benefits may also help boost your metabolism so that you can shed pounds and burn fat faster. "Curcumin is known to boost metabolism by increasing the rate at which the body burns calories, therefore contributing to weight loss," she says. Turmeric is just one metabolism-boosting spice of many.
And on top of all of this, the powerful spice can even ward off cognitive decline. "Chronic inflammation is believed to play a role in the development of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. By reducing inflammation in the brain, curcumin may help protect against cognitive decline," Sabat says.
Additionally, curcumin could help boost your brain's brain-derive neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is "essential for the survival and growth of neurons and helps in forming new connections between them." Sabat tells us that "Higher levels of BDNF are associated with improved memory and cognitive function." Incredible!
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to enjoy turmeric. Whether you're adding it to soups and curries, making a turmeric tea or "golden milk," your body and brain will thank you when you incorporate this tasty, anti-inflammatory spice into your diet!
