Turmeric – the healthy yellow tuber from Asia

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), also known as turmeric because of its colour, is an integral part of every curry mixture and gives it its typical golden yellow colour. Its interesting ingredients offer various health benefits. In Asia, the super tuber has been used to promote health for thousands of years.

The turmeric plant

It is native to India and South East Asia and has long been used therapeutically in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine. Although it is often referred to as turmeric root (or, more rarely, turmeric root), the term root is not entirely correct. The plant forms a rhizome, also known as a rootstock, underground. It is a horizontally growing stem that is formed by many herbaceous plants, including the ginger plant. Turmeric belongs to the ginger family and the appearance of its rhizome is somewhat similar to that of ginger, but smaller and narrower. The golden yellow colour of turmeric is clearly visible when it is cut open.

Ingredients

There are two main groups of ingredients in the rhizome of turmeric: essential oils and curcuminoids. The latter include curcumin, the most active compound. Curcuminoids are responsible for the yellow colour of the rhizome and play an important role in its health-promoting properties. Curcumin in particular offers many scientifically proven physiological benefits. Of particular note are its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and digestive effects, which help to improve various health problems.

Areas of application

In Ayurvedic medicine, the tuber has been used for thousands of years to treat digestive problems, flatulence, constipation and inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. It is also known to have positive effects on the health of the joints, brain and liver. Turmeric is therefore often used for aching joints, e.g. arthrosis or arthritis. As it crosses the blood-brain barrier, it can help to protect the brain from degenerative processes. It also stimulates the flow of bile, thus relieving the liver and supporting its detoxifying function.

What should I look out for when buying turmeric products?

Normal turmeric powder or fresh turmeric (organic quality) from the supermarket can be used for cooking. They are also suitable for making so-called “golden milk”, a popular hot drink consisting of plant milk, turmeric and a few other ingredients. However, its effect is too weak for the above-mentioned health effects, so a dietary supplement should be used instead. However, there is an almost unmanageable number of products on the market, unfortunately including many inferior ones. In order to benefit from the health-promoting advantages, it is essential to ensure good quality.

A high-quality dietary supplement with turmeric comes from organic farming, as we do not want to burden our bodies with harmful substances, but rather benefit from the healthy ingredients. This is precisely why it is important to look for a full-spectrum powder. This means that the product contains all the natural components of the rhizome in their original form. This includes not only curcumin, but also other curcuminoids as well as essential oils, terpenes and compounds. The combination of all the components present in turmeric have synergistic effects that can enhance the health benefits.

An extract is a concentrated form obtained through an extraction process. The extract contains a high amount of curcumin, the active component of turmeric known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and is an excellent complement to a full-spectrum powder. However, curcumin is not very well absorbed by the body, which is why many supplements also contain piperine (from black pepper), which improves bioavailability. A good product can be further supplemented and improved with matcha powder. Matcha green tea contains valuable catechins, secondary plant substances from the flavonoid group, which have a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect.

Quality features at a glance:

• Full spectrum turmeric powder
• Turmeric extract
• Good bioavailability due to piperine
• Catechins from matcha powder

All these advantages are fulfilled by the product Turmeric Vida.