A study on muscles from guinea pigs and rats suggests that turmeric could bring relief from menstrual cramps, too. A recent study that followed women for three menstrual cycles in a row found that curcumin supplements helped ease PMS symptoms. Turmeric has shown promise for its ability to ease joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Curcumin might help you to fight off a variety of viruses, including herpes and the flu. As the curcumin in turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, it can benefit the joints and help keep them from getting inflamed and swollen. 12. Long known for its healing properties, this golden spice comes from the ground root of the Curcuma longa plant that grows in Asia and Central America. More than just an ingredient in curry, this bright orange spice also boasts several health-boosting properties. Keep in mind that turmeric is only about 3% curcumin, and your body doesn't absorb curcumin well, so the occasional cup of tea won't be a cure-all. Turmeric is also being studied as a treatment for diseases like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. The next time you're under the weather, you may want to sip some turmeric tea. Some studies suggest tumerone can support cognitive performance due to its neuroprotective properties. Turmeric and its powerful ingredient, curcumin, have a range of health benefits. ", Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: "Curcumin and Diabetes: A Systematic Review. Curcumin also helps to modulate the activity of your body’s detoxifying enzymes. Turmeric (pronounced / ˈ t ɜːr m ər ɪ k /, also / ˈ t uː m ər ɪ k / or / ˈ tj uː m ər ɪ k /) is a flowering plant, Curcuma longa of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae, the roots of which are used in cooking. So does turmeric fight Alzheimer's? ", Diabetes Care: "Curcumin Extract for Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes. It has a range of health promoting benefits due to curcumin, the yellow pigment. Kerry Torrens is a qualified Nutritionist (MBANT) with a post graduate diploma in Personalised Nutrition & Nutritional Therapy. Felson, MD on January 23, 2020. Turmeric is often used in cooking by people around the world since it brings the good taste to foods and has a lot of health benefits that make people aware of. However, we need more research before turmeric becomes a go-to arthritis treatment. Turmeric tea benefits Turmeric is a bright yellow-orange spice commonly used in curries and sauces. One of the biggest health benefits of turmeric is in the prevention and treatment of cancer. ", Mary S. Easton UCLA Alzheimer Translation Center: "Curcumin. Turmeric (curcuma longa) is extensively cultivated in the tropics and the root is widely used in cooking. ", Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: "Turmeric. Felson, MD on January 23, 2020, Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center: "Curcumin. What these studies can't tell us, though, is what will happen in the human body when a person eats turmeric. Other studies have found that it may induce cell death in glioblastomas, an aggressive type of brain tumor that is resistant to chemo and radiation. Traditionally turmeric is used to protect healthy skin and remedy skin disorders. Scientists continue to look into the heart-protective possibilities of turmeric. How? ", Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: "Turmeric extract may improve irritable bowel syndrome symptomology in otherwise healthy adults: a pilot study. Turmeric originates from the root of the curcuma longa plant, which is part of the ginger family. Follow her on Twitter @nutri_jo. A daily cup of the golden spice has incredible proven health benefits. It would be very difficult to reach these levels just using the turmeric spice in cooking, although it is clearly a welcome addition to the diet. Aside that, there are also other proven benefits humans can get from consuming turmeric. Health Benefits Of Turmeric: Turmeric is also called golden spice as this is yellow color. Other suggested benefits of turmeric, such as lowered cholesterol and lowered blood pressure, probably have something to do with the way turmeric functions in your blood. Jo Lewin is a registered nutritionist (RNutr) with the Association for Nutrition with a specialism in public health. Although far less is known about turmerone compared to curcumin, it can be obtained from whole ground turmeric. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, Becoming a Vegetarian: Foods to Choose From. ", Journal of Medicinal Food: "Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. ", Molecular Nutrition & Food Research: "Long-term curcumin administration protects against atherosclerosis via hepatic regulation of lipoprotein cholesterol metabolism. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. Turmeric is famous for its ability to reduce inflammation in the body. Turmeric, often referred to as “Indian Saffron” has been used as a spice for centuries in South Asia. Although few studies have been conducted on humans, dozens of research trials have proven that benefits of turmeric include being especially effective in reducing depression symptoms in laboratory animals. However, we need more research before turmeric becomes a go-to arthritis treatment. Contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties We are frequently told that colourful plant foods are good for our health because of their phytochemical properties (plant pigments) and turmeric is no different. 6. Clinical trials have found it to be more effective than a placebo for relieving pain and swelling in people with osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. Curcumin is thought to slow down the inflammatory pathway, although this line of research is being continued. There is promising research to support curcumin’s use for the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on obesity, to redu… Medically Reviewed on 01/23/2020 Turmeric powder should be stored in a cool dark, dry place where it will keep for up to a year. ", BioMed Research International: "A Review on Antibacterial, Antiviral, and Antifungal Activity of Curcumin. Some studies suggest that ginger and turmeric could help decrease markers of inflammation, relieve chronic pain, reduce nausea, and improve immune function. There is still a lot for us to learn about this fascinating spice, but early research has looked into the potential effect of curcumin on a range of conditions from pre-menstrual tension and cancer to Alzheimer’s disease. 68. Scientists are excited about curcumin's potential to ease depression and help antidepressants work better. Like many things we've already covered here, more research is needed. (Read Benefits Of Turmeric for Liver). Helps Alleviate Depression. The orange color present in curry is gotten from turmeric. Turmeric can help with the following: It's also been used as medicine in places like India for centuries to treat issues such as breathing problems. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. Turmeric May Help Delay or Reverse Alzheimer’s Disease. The many benefits of sippin’ on turmeric tea An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but turmeric is even better. Turmeric and curcumin have a variety of interesting biological activities, but they’re challenging to study because curcumin is unstable (it easily changes into other substances) and has low bioavailability (not much of it reaches the bloodstream) when it’s taken orally. Research suggests that turmeric may also improve the appearance of skin and help alleviate depression. Turmeric is commonly used for conditions involving pain and inflammation, such as osteoarthritis. Sources Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties have been compared to those of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Turmeric may even protect your brain against common degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. This article was last updated on 8 August 2018 by Kerry Torrens. Another active ingredient in turmeric is turmerone. One study followed 240 adults with prediabetes and found that taking a curcumin supplement over 9 months lowered their odds of developing diabetes. So, why is turmeric so good for you?Our registered nutritionist explains the main benefits. THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Turmeric is generally thought to be safe. A relative of ginger, this vivid yellow-orange spice is common in Indian, Southeast Asian, and Middle Eastern cooking. (7) But the reality of wha… This spice have been used in India as medicine for so long before it was researched on. In addition to delivering antioxidants and other properties, herbs and spices can be used in recipes to partially or wholly replace salt, sugar and added saturated fat in, for example, marinades and dressings, stir-fry dishes, casseroles, soups, curries and Mediterranean-style cooking. It is used in the treatment of numerous inflammatory conditions for its anti-inflammatory effects. But so far, research results have been mixed. Although people sing its praises online, there's little scientific evidence showing that turmeric can treat or prevent headaches, although one study suggests it could be part of a new approach. Research has found that curcumin induces cell death in medulloblastoma, a pediatric brain tumor. In lab and animal studies, turmeric has stopped the growth of tumor cells, helped detoxifying enzymes work better, and more. Turmeric shows potential in reducing aging of the skin. See additional information. Turmeric is the main ingredient in curry powder and can be used as a colouring agent. It also provides a rich supply of vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium, and manganese. These results seem to be connected to the way curcumin impacts neurotransmitter function through the brain-derived neurotrophic factor. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact  your local health care provider. However, more clinical studies are required before these health claims can be confirmed. Some studies suggest that the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin may help reverse some of the steps in the heart disease process, such as atherosclerosis and atrial arrhythmias. Curcumin also improves the function of the enthothelium which in turn helps to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting and various other heart disease factors. Over the last 15 years she has been a contributing author to a number of nutritional and cookery publications including BBC Good Food. Anti-inflammatory properties can help people with arthritis. As several metabolic diseases and age-related degenerative disorders are closely associated with oxidative processes in the body, the use of herbs and spices as a source of antioxidants to combat oxidation warrants further attention. ", Immunogenetics: "The synergistic effects of ω-3 fatty acids and nano-curcumin supplementation on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α gene expression and serum level in migraine patients. To avoid a permanent stain, quickly wash the affected area with soap and water. Turmeric has a deep, golden-orange colour and looks similar to ginger. If you decide to try it for your joint pain, help your body absorb natural curcumin by eating your turmeric along with black pepper. It has a peppery, warm flavour and a mild fragrance. She is a member of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and a member of the Guild of Food Writers. ", Metabolic Brain Disease: "The effect of curcumin on the brain-gut axis in rat model of irritable bowel syndrome: involvement of 5-HT-dependent signaling. The most well-known of these is curcumin. (2) Other research, published in March 2018 in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, showed that as little as 90 mg of curcumin (taken in the form of a supplement) may help improve cognitive health in healthy adults. Lots of people use the turmeric herb in their cooking. However, more well-designed clinical studies are needed to determine and document the efficacy of curcumin and combination products in patients taking NSAIDS to treat osteoarthritis. View our slideshows to learn more about your health. Due to high volume with shipping carriers, orders may experience a 2-3 day delay in delivery Until more high-quality randomised controlled trials are conducted to confirm the benefits of curcumin supplementation, it's probably best to simply include turmeric spice as part of a healthy, nutritious diet. Since its relative ginger is a well-known natural headache remedy, it's no surprise that turmeric gets recommended as a headache treatment, too -- especially for migraines. “Researchers have found that phytochemicals from natural foods, such as the curcumin found in turmeric, may be a safe and effective way to help reduce inflammation and prevent and treat disease. Beer 52 exclusive offer: Get a free case of craft beer worth £24. Much of its new-found popularity is due to its therapeutic properties, which have been widely researched and proven by a range of studies. Turmeric is a member of the ginger family. The potential health benefits of curcumin include better regulation of inflammation. Turmeric has shown promise for its ability to ease joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Turmeric Supports Healthy Joints: Beneficial in promoting overall joint health and mobility. All health content on bbcgoodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Find out what turmeric can -- and can't -- do for your health. It is important to note that the amount of curcumin in turmeric as we buy it can vary, depending on species, growing conditions, harvesting etc. Subscription offer: Save 32% and receive a three-tier steamer worth £44.99. ", Phytotherapy Research: "The Role of Curcumin Administration in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: Mini Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials," "Effects of supplementation with curcuminoids on dyslipidemia in obese patients: a randomized crossover trial," "Comparison between the efficacy of ginger and sumatriptan in the ablative treatment of the common migraine. 6) Helps Fight Disease & Chronic Conditions. Curcumin’s antioxidant property is found to beneficial in managing skin aging. Turmeric may even reduce the risk or … The benefits of turmeric are amazing and able to treat a wide range of illnesses. It is usually boiled, sun-dried and then ground into a powder. Early research, including a pilot study of 207 adults and another one using rats, has found that turmeric could help improve IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain. ", Reviewed by Sabrina Some people claim that putting a turmeric mask on their skin or eating turmeric will help fight stubborn pimples -- perhaps because of the spice's reported antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. ", National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: "Turmeric. Fresh turmeric should be free of dark spots and be crisp. Research on turmeric's ability to protect your ticker has been mixed. It comes from the turmeric root. See our collection of turmeric recipes for more inspiration. All rights reserved. Turmeric Benefits for Skin. ", Planta Medica: "Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. While most clinical research studies look at turmeric extracts, consuming ½ teaspoon to 1 teaspoon or about 2.5 to 5 grams of turmeric powder with food per day has been associated with health benefits. Sorry, there's no strong scientific evidence yet that taking turmeric is an effective way to prevent the disease. It is also used for hay fever, depression, high cholesterol, a type of liver disease, and itching. Turmeric has many health benefits including reducing inflammation and curbing pain. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and free-radical-fighting properties have made it a topic of study for countless skin issues, but the extent of its health benefits are still being researched. In general, turmeric powder is about 3 percent curcumin, and extracts are about 95 percent curcumin. 18. A 6-month human study benefits of turmeric dark, dry place where it will keep for a month via! Of viruses, including both reactive oxygen and nitrogen species works by scavenging different of... Common in Indian kitchen and widely used in all Asian cuisines far less is known about compared! Lot of the biggest health benefits of turmeric 1 swelling in people with and... To a number of Nutritional and cookery publications including BBC good food cramps,.. 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