Turmeric is one of those trendy foods that may actually turn out to be worth something.
It has tons of anti-inflammatory benefits, and now one study is even saying that just a pinch of turmeric can be as good for your heart as an hour of exercise.
Of course, turmeric isn’t recognized medically yet, but it’s been a homeopathic remedy for hundreds of years. There’s plenty of research to back up its role in preventing heart disease.
At least three dozen studies have shown this. Among turmeric’s many incredible benefits, here are just a few.
One study in the American Journal of Cardiology found that turmeric extract can reduce risk for post-bypass heart attack by 56 percent!
And in another study of post-menopausal women, curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) was found to be as effective as moderate exercise at improving vascular function.
How did this work? 32 women were studied for 8 weeks, comparing control, exercise, and turmeric groups. The turmeric and exercise groups both saw similar amounts of dilation in arteries that usually get clogged during the development of atherosclerosis.
This means, in layman’s terms, that they’re both equally good at helping to improve cardiovascular function, at least in some menopausal women.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that turmeric can replace any other benefits of exercise, like decreased risk of obesity or diabetes, increased energy, stronger bones, or better sleep.
But turmeric has real benefits, and there’s no reason to ignore them, especially if you’re a post-menopausal woman. Every bit of help counts as you age.
