Organic Turmeric Supplements Benefits
It’s no secret: for centuries, turmeric has been prized for its spicy taste, rich golden color, and powerful health benefits. From antioxidant qualities to brain health, the benefits of organic turmeric supplements are well-documented, making this common spice one of the most popular supplements of the last five years. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into turmeric, including: organic turmeric supplements benefits, raw turmeric benefits, and how to pick the right one for your needs and lifestyle.
What is Turmeric?
Closely related to ginger, turmeric, sourced from the rhizomes of the Curcuma longa plant, is a yellow spice that has been used to flavor food, dye cloth, and treat various health conditions in both traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. This is largely due to curcumin, the active compound found in turmeric that is responsible for its golden yellow color–and many of its medicinal benefits.
Curcumin is a fat-soluble polyphenol with potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antiobesity, and cardioprotective properties.
Benefits of Turmeric
The top benefits of turmeric include:
- Reduces inflammation
- Weight loss
- Fights oxidative stress
- Promotes brain cell development and neuroplasticity
- Slows Alzheimer’s progression
- Boosts serotonin and dopamine production for better mood
- Fights aging
- Lowers cholesterol
- May reduce risk of heart disease
- Boosts joint health (and fights arthritis pain)
- Relieves stress
Raw Turmeric vs. Organic Turmeric Supplements Benefits: What’s the Difference?
Trying to figure out how to add more turmeric to your life? Whether you’re adding raw turmeric to meals or using an organic turmeric supplement, there are many ways to boost curcumin intake.
Raw Turmeric Benefits
Want to add more turmeric to your diet? The classic way to get more turmeric in is to look for curry dishes that incorporate turmeric into their spice blend. Really, that comes down to the curry powder you use.
Keep in mind: curry powder ingredients will differ based on the dish, the cuisine, and the country of origin. Some do not contain turmeric, so it’s best to make your own at home. Indian curries in particular tend to incorporate turmeric. However, you can also find turmeric in Thai yellow curry, as well as Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and a variety of southeast Asian curries.
Other methods of incorporating raw or dried turmeric into your diet include adding it to coffee, tea, golden milk, soups, dips, roasted veggies, rice dishes, and even desserts! Pro tip: try adding black pepper to boost curcumin absorption.
Adding raw turmeric spice to meals can be an easy way to reap the benefits of regular curcumin consumption without committing to a particular supplement. It can also be a convenient daily habit, especially if you’re sipping turmeric tea, or adding it to your morning coffee.
However, raw turmeric may not be an ideal solution if you have a sensitive stomach, rarely cook, or don’t like the taste.
Organic Turmeric Supplements Benefits
If incorporating turmeric spice into your diet is too much of a struggle or runs afoul of your tastebuds, organic turmeric supplements might be the way to go. Organic turmeric supplements benefits include convenience, neutral taste (depending on the product), and easy-to-measure dosage.
Turmeric supplements can run the gamut from powders, such as Dr. Eric Snow’s Turmeric Power which has the added benefit of being fermented, to traditional pills and capsules (our favorite: MediHerb Turmeric Forte).
Not only do turmeric supplements allow you to incorporate turmeric into your daily nutrition with little to no extra effort, but they contain a standardized amount (as opposed to adding a pinch to your morning coffee). It’s also the case that turmeric supplements allow you to keep track of your daily consumption so you don’t overdo it.
Most medical professionals recommend a daily dose between 500-2,000mg, although the exact dosage may vary based on the desired effect. Before beginning any new supplement, always consult with a doctor.
