In addition to being a natural replacement of salt, each spice has nutritional value but those pertaining to turmeric are particularly beneficial to everyday life.
Turmeric is an Asian spice, traditionally used in Indian curries, as well as in Okinawa – the island of centenarians. Curcumin is the pigment of turmeric which gives it its yellow colour. Consumed on its own, it has very little bioavailability, so it needs to be consumed with pepper. Pepper contains piperine which is an alkaloid that helps improve the assimilation of turmeric*.
Anti-inflammatory
Thanks to its recognised anti-inflammatory effects, a daily gram (half a teaspoon) is an effective way of treating arthritis **, – a painful inflammation of the joints which can result from several causes. Combined with pepper, you can sprinkle turmeric on your dishes but it is actually far easier to consume turmeric in capsules which are already combined with piperine to increase their efficiency. These can be taken at meal time.
A regular consumption of turmeric also reduces skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and acne***, and digestive and muscular pains.
Anti oxidant
Thanks to its powerful antioxidant action, the turmeric molecule reduces the risk of atherosclerosis that in turn reduces LDL cholesterol in the blood, thereby preventing it from oxidising.
Both inflammation, causing many chronic diseases, and oxidative stress, which affects the majority of us, is aggravated by our stressful lifestyle and ubiquitous pollution. Luckily, turmeric can help both these disorders; in some cases it can prevent their development and on other occasions, it can even help improve symptoms.
Beware of unwanted effects!
Not all spices are suitable for everybody. That is why before seeking a cure, or in case you already suffer from some other disorder, you should always discuss it with your doctor beforehand. Turmeric itself, or the pepper that accompanies it, can interact negatively with other drugs; hence the importance of getting the green light from a professional before making any change to your diet.
Turmeric is not a miracle cure for all aliments, a balanced and varied diet is required to prevent chronic diseases and oxidative stress. By choosing the program Bikini, your qualified dietician will select spices and herbs to add flavour to your dishes. Therefore, you will eat better and in less in quantity and as a result, lose weight naturally. This program allows you to have your menus organised for the whole week; three meals a day and, if necessary, a snack. You may discover new flavours, you may find a new pleasure in eating colourful meals or you may even learn how to use Mindfulness to get the most out of your meal. Your coach will be there to accompany you in these beneficial changes to your health, and will even be available between your consultations to answer any questions.
*Shoba G, Joy D, Joseph T, Majeed M, Rajendran R, Srinivas PS. (1998). Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta Medica. 64(4), pp.353-56. DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-957450.
**Daily JW, Yang M, Park S. (2016). Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Journal of Medicinal Food. 19(8), pp. 717-29. DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2016.3705.
***Vaughn AR, Branum A, Sivamani RK. (2016). Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence. Phytotherapy Research. 30(8),1243-64. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.5640