Turmeric Helps in Weight Loss, Experts Say

When you live in a small city like Baguio, you tend to notice new things brewing. Recently, I have been seeing sidewalk stalls promoting a new Turmeric Tea product with a free taste. In the past month, every time I am in town, I have probably encountered such stalls more than once while walking along the city streets. This got me thinking about this vibrant yellow concoction and what benefits it brings to those who drink it.

While searching through the Internet, I encountered these interesting news about turmeric:

• Turmeric changes ‘bad’ fat cells to ‘good’ fat cells.

The main compound in turmeric called Curcumin is said to have potential in helping obese individuals because  it can change the composition of fat cells from the energy-storing type to the calorie-burning type. Obese individuals are said to have more bad fat cells, otherwise known as white fat cells which are known to store energy. Curcumin was observed to help transform these white fat cells into the more useful brown fat cells. This is according to a new study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.

• Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory.

This new study adds another positive benefit for the inclusion of turmeric in one’s diet. Turmeric is a widely studied herbal medicine, having been used since ancient times for its anti-inflammatory properties. According to an article in Live Strong, when one is obese, one’s body experiences a low-grade inflammation which makes one a likely candidate for other diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Citing a 2011 study in the European Journal of Nutrition, the article noted that the antioxidant property of curcumin curbs this inflammation and helps one to lose weight more efficiently.

• Curcumin in turmeric can also prevent diseases.

Curcumin has positive effects on brain function and can in fact help prevent the onset of common brain disorders such as depression and Alzheimer’s disease. According to an article in Authority Nutrition, these disorders are linked to a decrease in the levels of a growth hormone called Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in the brain. Intake of curcumin is able to help increase levels of BDNF thereby delaying or even preventing these common brain diseases.

While these studies boost the positive impact of turmeric, it is important to note that intake of turmeric, as a tea or as a spice, is not a surefire way to lose weight. One must pair this off with a proper diet that a nutritionist or doctor and exercise. Live Strong recommends that one’s calorie intake must be according to what one needs.