The Spice Guys
3/327 The Esplanade, Scarness,
Hervey Bay Qld 4655
Nutritionists don't talk about
Spices much, because they aren't seen as contributing those vital food
components like protein, energy, vitamins, or minerals. There's growing
evidence, however, that certain Spices offer much more than just
flavour: in fact, they have plenty of health benefits of their own.
Turmeric is a significant
ingredient in most curries, and gives them that distinctive yellow
colour. A member of the Ginger family, Turmeric is hot and spicy, and
it's also rich in a component called "curcumin". Two recent studies
suggest that Turmeric is a sensible regular addition to meals. In a
laboratory study, "curcumin" was found to help fight the build up of
"plaques" associated with Alzheimer's disease. Meanwhile researchers
performing a laboratory study in the US have found that "curcumin" can
help prevent colorectal cancer.
And in a third piece of
research, also conducted in the US, scientists gathered more evidence
that Turmeric can help fight the painful symptoms of
osteoarthritis.
Clearly, none of this evidence
suggests that we should rely on Spices to fight serious diseases, but
the research does serve as a reminder that a diverse diet and
traditional home cooking are as valuable as ever for our well-being.[Extract from "Health News"]
What is
Curcumin?
Who said something that tastes
good can't be good for you? Curcumin (Curcuma longa) is the source
of the spice Turmeric, and is used in curries and other spicy dishes
from India, Asia, and the Middle East. Curcumin is what gives the Curry
its characteristic bright yellow color and strong taste. If curry is too
spicy for your tummy, then you can still obtain the benefits of Curcumin
by taking it as a nutritional
supplement in convenient capsule form. Or, if you like the heat, break
the capsule open and sprinkle it on your food.
Like many herbal remedies,
people first used Curcumin as a food and later discovered that it also
had impressive medicinal qualities. Over the centuries, this spice has
been used as a pain relieving, anti-inflammatory agent to relieve pain
and inflammation in the skin and muscles. It has served as a treatment
for jaundice, menstrual difficulties, hematuria, hemorrhage, colic, and
flatulence. In modern times, research has focused on Curcumin's
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, and antimicrobial
properties, and on its use in cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal
disorders, and
as a treatment for the liver.
The food we eat has a direct
effect on our health, even if that food is something as seemingly
insignificant as a spice. Research on families immigrating from India to
the United States may reflect the importance of Curcumin in the diet. It
is well documented that cancer rates in India are lower than those seen
in Western countries. However, studies of Indian immigrants in Western
societies indicate that rates of cancer
and other chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease and diabetes,
increase dramatically after a generation in the adopted country. Change
of diet is among the factors that may be responsible for the changing
disease rates. In a study conducted by the United States National Cancer
Institute, the researchers noted, "Of particular
interest for cancer prevention is the role of turmeric (Curcumin), an
ingredient in common Indian curry spice. Extract from: http://www.curcumin.net/
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