Turmeric helps the liver clear cholesterol out of your blood

High levels of cholesterol in the blood often lead to accumulation in blood vessel walls thus contributing to hardening of the arteries and the development of hypertension and its accompanying conditions. Cholesterol is removed from blood vessel walls and transported to the liver via a process called reverse cholesterol transport. The liver X receptor controls crucial genes involved in reverse cholesterol transport and the disposal of cholesterol. Curcumin, the polyphenol that gives Turmeric its yellowish color has received great attention lately because of its cholesterol lowering effect, its protective ability in the cardiovascular system and its cancer fighting ability. In this study researchers from Martin Luther University in Germany found that Curcumin stimulates LDL-receptor messenger RNA. This in turn activates the Liver X receptor stimulating genes that remove LDL-cholesterol from the blood stream. The study is published in the current issue of the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.

Studies show it is not the caffeine which helps decrease the risk of developing diabetes but probably the polyphenols.