4. Fights Brain Diseases
Brain diseases such as Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are associated with low levels of BDNF (6).
As mentioned previously, turmeric can help boost BDNF, which can effectively protect you against brain disease.
5. Lowers Risk Of Heart Disease
Heart disease is related to the health of blood vessel lining, called endothelium [7]. Oxidative stress and cholesterol can reduce the elasticity of this lining and that can lead to serious health problems.
Turmeric provides beneficial results in preventing heart disease. In fact, it’s comparable to the drug atorvastatin. It’s also as effective as exercise in maintaining optimal endothelium health (8).
6. Prevents Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is linked to the formation of amyloid plaques that make their way into the brain. A study concluded by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center states that: “These plaques are believed to cause the loss of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.”
Turmeric helps treat Alzheimer’s by clearing amyloid plaques (10). This is done by improving the uptake and ingestion of the plaques by macrophage.
7. Fights Chronic Disease
Short-term inflammation is important to fight and prevent disease. However, long-term inflammation can cause diseases (11) and lead to early death. By decreasing inflammation, turmeric prevents and treats symptoms of chronic diseases.