1. Antioxidant
Turmeric contains compounds that act as antioxidants, working to neutralize free radicals. Reactions caused by free radicals can lead to various degenerative diseases such as eye disorders, dementia, asthma, diabetes, atherosclerosis, cancer, and joint inflammation. Isn't it remarkable?
2. Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory
Turmeric acts as an antimicrobial due to its active compounds, namely xanthorrhizol and curcuminoids. Both compounds play a role as antibacterial and antifungal agents for humans. Their task is to alter the permeability of microbial cell walls or membranes and limit the multiplication of bacterial cells.
Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory properties obtained from turmeric also stem from its active components, such as xanthorrhizol, germacrone, and curcumin. One of the conditions that can benefit from these compounds is obesity and inflammation in the mouth. However, further research is still needed to confirm their effectiveness.
3. Anticancer and Antitumor
Turmeric's anticancer and antitumor properties once again come from its active components, namely xanthorrhizol and curcumin. The combination of these two compounds is known to inhibit tumor development, metastasis (the spread of cancer cells to other body tissues), and stimulate apoptosis (cell death).
4. Antidiabetes
Based on several studies conducted on mice, turmeric has demonstrated antidiabetic properties, both in type 1 diabetes (inability of the body to produce insulin hormone) and type 2 diabetes (insulin hormone's inability to function effectively/insulin resistance). The presence of xanthorrhizol in turmeric is known to help lower blood sugar levels and insulin resistance, making it an effective antidiabetic agent.
5. Skin Health
The presence of xanthorizol in turmeric also serves as an anti-aging agent, partly by increasing collagen-forming genes while decreasing aging-related genes. Not only that, but turmeric flower extract can also be beneficial for skin care, such as suppressing the growth of acne-causing microbes and promoting skin whitening.
Turmeric is known to enhance collagen-forming genes, thus preventing aging.
6. Liver Health
The presence of xanthorrhizol in turmeric is beneficial for protecting the liver from various hepatotoxic substances (toxic substances that cause liver damage). One of the mechanisms involves reducing the activity of signaling molecules that trigger inflammation, known as proinflammatory cytokines.
When proinflammatory cytokines continuously signal, inflammation will occur continuously. The long-term consequence is the emergence of various health problems. Therefore, turmeric is considered a balancing agent to help maintain controlled immune responses.
7. Wound Healing
Based on research conducted in Indonesia using mice as subjects, turmeric extract can assist in the wound healing process. The mechanism involves increasing the number of fibroblast cells, which are responsible for forming essential proteins in the wound repair process. Fibroblast cells are crucial for the healing of wounds after injury.
So, it turns out that turmeric, as a native plant of Indonesia, indeed has many benefits, such as antioxidants, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antitumor, antidiabetic, anti-aging, skin whitening, liver protection, and assistance in the wound healing process after injury.
Despite the numerous mentioned benefits, further research is still needed. This is because most published studies have mainly used mice as research subjects. Do any of you ladies consume turmeric?
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