Combining these commonly found ingredients into a drink could protect against arthritis and strengthen the immune system
Consuming a simple two-ingredient drink could provide a whole host of impressive health benefits, according to research. Combining carrot juice with the spice turmeric could not only boost your energy levels but prevent inflammation in the body and strengthen the immune system.
In an article by Argentinian news site Infobae, the health properties of carrot with turmeric were explored. They praised it as a natural source of energy and said it promoted good eye health and vision.
They also said it was good at protecting the immune, cardiovascular, and digestive systems, and reducing the risk of chronic disease. In addition they said it was good at reducing inflammation, boosting brain health and improving skin health.
Carrots
Firstly, it is noted that carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, which is essential for eye health. Consuming them regularly helps prevent vision problems, especially those related to macular degeneration and night blindness.
A study, published in Ophthalmology journal in 2013 stated that taking beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc may have long-term effects against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – an eye disease that can blur your vision. The seven-year study found that taking zinc with a combination of antioxidants, including beta carotene, reduced the risk of progression to advanced AMD in participants by 25 percent.
In addition to this, carrots are rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin K and fibre, which contribute to the health of the immune, cardiovascular and digestive systems.
Beta-carotene also acts as an antioxidant, helping to combat oxidative stress in the body, which reduces the risk of chronic diseases. A study, published in the World Allergy Organisation Journal this year, found that higher dietary antioxidant intakes were related with a lower prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases in adults.
Furthermore, fibre present in carrots promotes intestinal health, promotes proper digestion and regulates blood sugar levels, the Infobae report said.
Turmeric
Turmeric is an orange spice popular in Asian cooking. Aside from its taste it is known for curcumin, its main bioactive component, which has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
According to Infobae, one of the main benefits of turmeric is its ability to reduce inflammation in the body. This makes it a natural aid to relieve problems such as arthritis, muscle ailments and chronic inflammatory diseases.
A meta-analysis, published in the British Medical Journal, found that the consumption of turmeric could help relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee. It concluded: “Compared with placebo, there appears to be a benefit of turmeric on knee osteoarthritis pain and function.
“Based on a small number of studies the effects are similar to that of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.”
In addition, turmeric is thought to promote brain health and help prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. One study, conducted in India in 2008, found that curcumin could help reduce levels of beta-amyloid – a protein that clumps together to form plaques in the brain linked to Alzheimer’s disease – in mice.
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It said: “The levels of beta-amyloid in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mice that were given low doses of curcumin were decreased by around 40 percent in comparison to those that were not treated with curcumin. In addition, low doses of curcumin also caused a 43 percent decrease in the so-called “plaque burden” that these beta-amyloid have on the brains of AD mice.”
