----- Forwarded Message ----- >From: Chander Menghani <[email protected]> >To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> >Sent: Thursday, July 5, 2012 12:31 PM >Subject: [World Malayali Club] Superfood: Turmeric > > > >Superfood: Turmeric >The familiar squiggle of bright yellow mustard that runs down a ballpark frank >gets its color from turmeric, a bright yellow spice and cousin of ginger used >in many Indian dishes. But it’s not just color that makes this spice shine: >Turmeric has long been used for everything from curing digestive problems >to relieving pain[1]. >Root It and Boot It — Why It’s Super >Turmeric, which is made from the root of thecurcuma longa plant, gets >its super powers from an antioxidant called curcumin. (No, it’snot related >to cumin!) Traditional Indian medicine — Ayurveda (that’s sanskrit for >“science of life”) — has used the spice for its medicinal powers for thousands >of years to cure inflammation-based conditions ranging from irritable bowel >syndrome and autoimmune disorders to arthritis and tendonitis[2]. Chronic >inflammation (no real flames involved, thankfully) is responsible for many >serious illnesses, including heart disease and some cancers, so >adding anti-inflammatory foods (like turmeric!) can help relieve the pain, >swelling, and redness that may come with inflammation[3]. Plus, it may help >fight infections and help treat digestive problems[4]. >Even more modern studies have found this magical compound can prevent the >growth of cancer cells by decreasing swelling and inflammation[5][6][7]. Some >research suggests turmeric’s antioxidantpowers may also help slow cancer >growth and, for those already suffering, make chemotherapymore effective and >help protect the body’s healthy cells from radiation therapy damage[8][9]. >Aside from its antioxidants, tumeric’s anti-estrogen compounds can help fight >the growth of breast tissue tumors thought to be caused by estrogenic >compounds found in food, pesticides, and other chemicals[10]. But for the time >being, more research is needed to actually confirm any of these benefits. >While the spice is typically used in its powder form, turmeric oil has some >benefits of its own, working as an effective antifungal[11]. And some holistic >medicine advocates believe tumeric oil (sold in health food stores) can >also help relieve anxiety and stress through aromatherapy and rev up sex >drivewhen added to food. (Time to get things heated up!). >Mellow Yellow — Your Action Plan >In its bright yellow powder form, turmeric transfers that vibrant yellow tone >to the foods it flavors. With an earthy taste (but not super spicy), turmeric >adds a tang to curries and bean and rice dishes. But besides dinnertime, it >can also be used as a natural dye for Easter eggs or baked goods. Pair it with >black pepper to pump up curcumin’s antioxidant benefits[12]. If the plain >yellow stuff is nowhere to be found, try curry powder — a blend of turmeric >and other Indian spices like coriander, fenugreek (we’d never heard of it >either), and cumin — as a stand-in. >And heat doesn’t break curcumin down, which means it retains its beneficial >effects after it hits the skillet. Even better news, heating curcumin actually >increases its bioavailability (or the body’s ability to absorb it)[13]. >Though it can take the heat, turmeric can be used out of the kitchen. Apply >a pinch to minor cuts to help stop the bleeding and to help disinfect. Or make >a mask out of the powder, some lemon juice, andhoney for clear skin. Turmeric >paste, a mixture of powder and water, can also take care of pesky pimples[14]. > > > > > > >>________________________________ > > "Click to join us at Facebook, to like and comment with other friends of WMC" > >__._,_.___ >Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic >Messages in this topic (1) >Recent Activity: * New Members 191 >Visit Your Group > >Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use. > >__,_._,___ > >
