Hydroponics and Health Benefits of Turmeric
If you're new to spices, turmeric may not be the most aesthetically pleasing whole food out there. But its health benefits, culinary uses, and nutritional profile well compensate for that deficiency. It turns out that curcumin, the yellow color in the spice turmeric, significantly improves endothelial function, the flow of blood in our bodies arteries.
Here’s a brief overview of the significant aspects of turmeric:
Hydroponics of Turmeric
Following are the main perquisites for hydroponic cultivation of turmeric:
Hydroponic System
As is the case with ginger, the drip hydroponic system also facilitates the growth of turmeric.
Temperature Requirement
Turmeric requires long daylight exposure and temperature around 72-86 °F.
Fertilizer
A 15:15:15 NPK fertilizer applied at the rate of 150 kg/ha increases the height of the plant, number, and weight of rhizomes.
Nutritional Profile of Turmeric
Besides its miraculous health benefits, turmeric nourishes the body with the following nutrients:
Carbohydrates
The calorie content of turmeric entirely relies on carbohydrates as the other macronutrients, proteins and lipids, are in insufficient quantities. (FoodData Central, 2019)
Minerals
Iron and calcium reserves of turmeric are rich and plentiful. Also found in turmeric are 208 grams of magnesium and ten times as much potassium.
Vitamins
The Vitamin profile of turmeric is based on the trio of three vitamins: Vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamin K.
Health Benefits of Turmeric
Anti-Cancer Effects
Curcumin is one of the active ingredients in turmeric. While curcumin’s efficacy in the fight against breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer has been proven time and again, its effect is much more potent in the form of whole foods. The research has shown that curcumin interacts with other compounds in turmeric, and it becomes a more active anti-cancer agent. (M.D., 2017)
Chemistry of Turmeric
The major components of turmeric are essential oils and curcuminoids. (Meng, 2018)
The essential oils are responsible for many health benefits, while their major constituents are alpha-turmerone and beta-turmerone. Moreover, the particular curcuminoid found in turmeric is curcumin, which imparts color and pharmaceutical properties to turmeric.
Turmeric’s medicinal uses date back to around 4000 years. And now, with the scientific credibility to its name, turmeric qualifies as a key spice ingredient in everyday cuisines.
References
Nutritionfacts.org (2016, Oct 25) Dr. Gregor https://nutritionfacts.org/2016/10/25/how-turmeric-can-help-combat-the-effects-of-sitting/
FoodData Central. (2019, April 1). Retrieved from U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/172231/nutrients
M.D., M. G. (2017, September 20). https://nutritionfacts.org/video/benefits-of-turmeric-for-arsenic-exposure/. Retrieved from Nutrition Facts: https://nutritionfacts.org/video/benefits-of-turmeric-for-arsenic-exposure/
Meng, F.-C. (2018). Chapter 10 - Turmeric: A Review of Its Chemical Composition, Quality Control, Bioactivity, and Pharmaceutical Application. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-811518-3.00010-7