Lakadong Turmeric - Health Benefits, Uses and Important Facts

We can all agree that Indian food wouldn't be the same without spices. From red chilli to coriander, cardamom to turmeric, there are a lot of spices that Indian food can't do without. In recent years, turmeric, also called haldi, has become known as a "miracle food" or "superfood." Turmeric is a natural healer that is full of antioxidants and other substances that are good for your health. People often eat it to boost their immune systems and avoid getting sick during the winter and spring. Most of the time, turmeric is used as a powdered spice that we buy in packets. Haldi powder is easy to find at our local markets and grocery stores. But have you ever heard of Lakadong Turmeric? It is a special kind of spice.

Lakadong turmeric is grown in a relatively cool climate, even though most turmeric is grown in humid weather between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. This miracle spice is very special because Meghalaya has a cool climate, gets a lot of rain, has a beautiful landscape, and has good soil. Last but not least, Meghalaya farmers' use of traditional and organic farming methods has kept Lakadong turmeric powder's unique flavour for decades. Even though there are many different kinds of turmeric, Lakadong turmeric has kept its own identity and is still the most popular spice around the world because it has so many health benefits.

This miracle spice can be kept for 2 to 3 years if it is kept in the right way. But over time, it might not work as well.

Health benefits of Lakadong turmeric:

Lakadong turmeric is known to be much stronger than other kinds of turmeric because it has a lot of curcumin in it. Before going into detail about the health benefits of Lakadong turmeric, here are some of the most important ones:

1. Anti-inflammatory: Inflammation is the body's natural way of fighting off harmful things from the outside world. And because people today live fast-paced, sedentary lives and there is more pollution in the environment, chronic inflammations are very common. Since ancient times, turmeric has been known as an important anti-inflammatory that can be used to prevent and treat inflammation. And this is still true of turmeric today. Curcumin, a pigment with an orange colour, is the key to turmeric's powerful anti-inflammatory effects. There are studies and research that show how well it works. The best thing about turmeric is that it can be eaten whole or ground, added to food, or used as a paste on the skin to help fight inflammation. Turmeric, on the other hand, doesn't have any risks or side effects like other drugs.

2. High in antioxidants: Antioxidants are the compounds in food that help stop free radicals from damaging cells. Free radicals are waste removers in the body that can hurt cells if they are not stopped. Under normal health conditions, the body gets rid of normal amounts of free radicals on its own. But an increase in pollution, a bad diet, and bad choices about how to live our lives may cause free radicals to build up in our bodies in a big way. This can lead to most modern lifestyle diseases, like cancer, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, asthma, arthritis, psoriasis, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and so on. Free radicals are to blame, so we need to make sure they don't get out of hand.

Antioxidants are very important because they get rid of free radicals and make our body's own antioxidants work better at the same time. This can even slow down the ageing process and protect against many diseases.

Turmeric is said to be a plant-derived spice with one of the highest levels of antioxidant power. Studies reinstate that the curcuminoids in turmeric are very effective at finding and neutralizing free radicals. It is also thought that turmeric can help to prevent the development of free radicals up to a certain extent. Thus, the regular use of turmeric in our daily lives (preferably along with other healthy lifestyle choices) can put us on track towards overall better health, and well-being.

3. Anti-depressant: Turmeric and depression may seem like an odd match. However, you would be astounded to discover the robust capabilities of turmeric in preventing the onset of depression and in its optimal management. As we have already covered earlier in this article, turmeric is proven to be rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. These two attributes go a long way in keeping oxidative stress at bay, which is known as a key cause of depression. At any time, it’s the ultimate substitute for antidepressant medications. Depression-preventing medications come with their own set of cons, side effects, and risk factors. Long-term use of antidepressants may even impact other body organs. Amidst all this, turmeric is the ultimate choice as it is a natural spice and does not have chemical additives and thus doesn’t have side effects. Thus, a regular dosage of turmeric is recommended by healthcare and nutrition experts to keep the depression blues at bay.

4. Vital for Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention: Compared to the past decade, there is an ever-growing trend in neurological disorders, especially Alzheimer’s. A buildup of a protein called amyloid-beta is the prime culprit behind Alzheimer’s. So, you might be wondering about the connection between Alzheimer’s and turmeric. Well, here comes the role of the curcumin compound in turmeric. Studies have shown that curcumin has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and clear the accumulation of amyloid-beta and thus can be beneficial in preventing the condition altogether. Besides, curcumin is also known to reduce neurotoxicity caused by metals in the brain, which is a common factor for Alzheimer's.

Here’s a quick list of other key health-aiding attributes of Lakadong turmeric.

• Turmeric is known to promote healthy joint function and thus is vital for the body’s mobility function
• Who does not dream of glowing and blemish-free skin? Well, turmeric is the secret! Turmeric powder can be mixed with water or rose water to form a thick paste, which can be used as a face mask to enhance the skin tone
• Turmeric is known to encourage a healthy heart function
• Well, the contribution of turmeric in boosting memory is undeniable
• Turmeric is known to support the digestive system’s function effectively
• Apart from being an external cleansing agent, turmeric is also known to help to cleanse the liver.
• It has antimicrobial properties
• Turmeric is widely known to help prevent ulcers
• When it comes to keeping the blood pressure under check, turmeric makes an excellent choice. A pinch of turmeric in a daily diet works wonders.
• It helps lower the ‘bad’ cholesterol level in the body
• Bid goodbye to menstrual pain, and irregular flow with a tablespoon of turmeric
• Studies cite that turmeric is known to prevent the onset of and manage certain cancer variants rather efficiently