THE BENEFITS OF CHEWING TURMERIC ROOT

People use turmeric root (Curcuma longa) to add spice to food and as a herbal remedy for several health disorders. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) notes that research has identified beneficial effects of turmeric in animals and in the laboratory, although further research is necessary to confirm health benefits for humans. Chewing turmeric root, including adding it to food, is a way of obtaining the herb and its main component, curcumin, without taking commercial supplements.

DIGESTIVE BENEFITS

Curcumin causes the gallbladder to produce bile, according to the UMMC. Bile helps digest fats, so this may help reduce indigestion, gas and bloating. Consuming turmeric also may help people with ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), stay in remission. Because high doses of turmeric can actually cause stomach upset in some individuals, chewing turmeric root rather than taking it in supplement form may be less likely to cause side effects.

GALLBLADDER AND LIVER BENEFITS

Curcumin's bile production effect may prevent gallstones, reports the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH cautions that this extra bile production may be detrimental for people who already have gallstones. Turmeric also may provide protection for the liver, according to the NIH. Ayurvedic medicine, the traditional healing system of India, considers turmeric to be a liver tonic.

ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES

Curcumin has potent antioxidant properties, according to the UMMC. Antioxidants neutralize and eliminate free radicals that develop due to oxidative stress in the body. These free radicals cause damage to cells, and antioxidants are important for preventing cell breakdown and disease.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES

Curcumin also is an anti-inflammatory substance, according to the NIH. Although more research is needed to confirm this anti-inflammatory benefit in humans, people have used turmeric root traditionally to treat rheumatic conditions. Consuming turmeric root may have benefits for people with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.

BLOOD BENEFITS

Early research indicates that turmeric may prevent blood clot formation by stopping platelets from clumping together, suggests the NIH. Additionally, because turmeric lowers cholesterol levels in the blood, it may help prevent accumulation of plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis) that can lead to heart attack or stroke.

ANTI-CANCER PROPERTIES

Early research with animals and in the laboratory indicates that curcumin has anti-cancer properties that may prevent breast, colon, prostate and skin cancer, according to the UMMC. This may be due to antioxidant activity, direct effects on cancer cells or an ability to prevent growth of new blood vessels that support tumors.