Herbs and spices have been used for thousands of years not only as condiments for food, but also as medicines. Today, such folk recipes are rarely resorted to, but are more used as seasonings or taken orally in the form of tablets, capsules or tinctures. Turmeric is one of these spices!
Turmeric has been used as a medicine, as a food additive, as well as for industrial purposes as a natural dye for the textile and food industries. Of the many types, only three are used in cooking: long turmeric, aromatic turmeric and turmeric cedoaria. Also, these types of turmeric can be referred to as "Indian saffron" (not to be confused with real saffron). It came to Europe thanks to Arab merchants in the Middle Ages and was called Indian saffron.
Turmeric contains curcumin, which is a very powerful antioxidant. Its main role is to reduce inflammation.
If you actively run, you probably know what inflammation is, and you encounter this unpleasant physical phenomenon after difficult workouts almost every time. Usually, inflammation is caused by the release of free radicals. The reasons are diet, lifestyle, digestive and cardiovascular problems, diabetes and chronic diseases. Intensive sports are also the cause of the production of free radicals. Free radicals negatively affect biological membranes, and this slows down metabolism and reduces performance.
To eliminate this problem, there are special medications that are powerful antioxidants, but they can only be taken if your doctor or coach has scheduled an appointment for you. This is usually done under really heavy loads. If you run 5-10 km three times a week, it is not necessary to drink such drugs at all, in this case you can resort to the medicinal properties of turmeric. If you are already taking any medications, then before you decide to take pills with turmeric, you should definitely consult a doctor: in high doses, this spice is not so harmless!
Studies have shown that people with osteoarthritis of the knee joint, taking turmeric extract for six weeks, were able to minimize pain to the extent previously achieved by taking 800 mg of ibuprofen daily. This was due to the same curcumin, which reduced the number of inflammatory compounds in cartilage cells. These pills are sold without a prescription, but if you are not sure that you have no contraindications, it is better to consult a doctor.
Another option is turmeric extract tablets with black pepper. Curcumin itself is quite poorly absorbed by the body, and piperine, contained in black pepper, comes to the rescue, which makes this substance more active.
It is not necessary to use turmeric for medicinal purposes for those who have gallstones or clogged bile ducts. It is also worth remembering that curcumin is a kind of enhancer and it cannot be taken with some medications, as it enhances their effect. For example, the effect of turmeric on diabetic drugs that lower blood sugar levels has already been established. Combined use can lead to dizziness, fainting and even coma.
To be honest, it can be added almost anywhere if desired. In the dough for muffins, homemade noodles and lasagna. Just be sure to add it to pilaf or rice with vegetables, to soups with legumes (especially with red or yellow lentils), to fish and meat dishes!
The next post will be made with special and very tasty recipes with the addition of turmeric. ;)
