“The joint pain is practically gone.” I have been drinking turmeric after training for a year now

Every athlete wants to make their diet as healthy and effective for their health as possible. With the development of the cult of good nutrition, more and more supplements are appearing on the market: protein, BCAA, L-carnitine, collagen, and we can go on forever.

In the pursuit of maximum nutritional benefits, we have begun to forget that all the beneficial properties can be obtained from natural products. There are many spices and herbs that contain a huge amount of vitamins, help in speeding up metabolism, are good for muscle recovery and even have a therapeutic effect. One such spice is considered to be turmeric.

Secrets of turmeric

Turmeric is the most popular spice in India. It is added to all traditional dishes. But its use as a spice is conditioned not only by taste preferences, but also by the therapeutic properties that curcumin has on our body.

Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that the curcumin in the spice also has an anti-inflammatory effect on muscles, which helps athletes fight pain and strain.

Coach Margarita Shchukina shared her experience of using turmeric as a sports supplement with us.

A year with turmeric

Personal trainer, massage therapist, weight management and eating psychology consultant

My life often involves physical activity, so I constantly have to add various supplements and vitamins to my diet. After researching the issue, I learned about turmeric and its beneficial properties, read studies and decided to try adding the spice to my diet just for better recovery.

Many nutritionists say that nutrients and vitamins are better absorbed from natural products. From a study by scientists at Chiang Mai University, I learned that turmeric reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, helps with arthritis and even in the fight against depression and aging.

According to the authors of the work, the product has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. Therefore, it is often used in colds to reduce symptoms.

Turmeric contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties and promotes faster muscle recovery.

I started drinking turmeric twice daily and after two weeks I felt the positive effects of using it.

Muscles began to recover faster, that is, painful sensations became much less, and more energy. Even the pain in the joints is practically gone. And this is especially important for heavy strength training.

I have been drinking turmeric regularly for almost a year now. The most effective way for me to use it is to add a teaspoon of the spice to warm water. In this way, I drink it every morning before my first meal and after my workouts.

Some people add the spice to dishes like chicken, rice or vegetables, protein shakes for more effectiveness. The main thing, in my opinion, is to consult a doctor before doing this and not to overdo it.

Doctor’s opinion

Candidate of Medical Sciences, doctor of integrative, preventive and conventional medicine, nutriciologist

Curcuma is a popular spice widely known for its beneficial properties. It is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that helps reduce inflammation and improve overall health.

The product has anti-cancer properties and can improve digestion, lower blood sugar levels, and protect against heart disease.

But consuming large amounts of turmeric can cause liver damage. A 2014 study published in Nutrition Journal found that people who took an extract of the product for eight weeks had increased levels of an enzyme that is seen in liver disease.

The authors of the paper also found that taking a turmeric supplement for 12 weeks increased serum bilirubin levels, a marker of liver damage.

The spice can also interact with certain medications and increase their side effects. Or inhibit their effects.