BY MARY ANN O’DELL, MS, RDN
turmeric: go for the
gold Known for its hot, peppery flavor and its deep, yelloworange color, Curcuma longa, or turmeric, is a plant in the ginger family. Turmeric is widely used in South Asia and the Middle East in food preparation and is the primary ingredient in curry powder. While still wildly popular in Indian and Asian cuisine, recent interest in turmeric has shifted from its culinary uses to its potential medicinal uses. Numerous studies have demonstrated the health benefits of curcumin, the active compound in turmeric responsible for its color. Alzheimer’s Disease. A clinical study found that turmeric may play a role in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s by reducing amyloid plaque buildup in the brain. Another study showed that people with mild cognitive decline who took curcumin had improved memory and mood scores compared to those taking a placebo.
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Anti-Inflammatory. Turmeric is probably best known for its anti-inflammatory action, which offers benefit to a broad range of people, including athletes as well as people with arthritis or heart disease. It can help reduce inflammation and pain without causing damage to the gastrointestinal tract. One study showed that curcumin even outperformed other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen, when it came to pain and inflammation relief. GI Health. Turmeric has been used traditionally as a digestive agent, which makes sense given its relation to the ginger family. Research also suggests that curcumin may be effective against the activity and inflammatory burden of colitis and IBS. Currently, research is ongoing to learn how turmeric helps with gut inflammation and gut permeability, two things that indicate how efficiently digestion is working. Heart Health. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions of turmeric make it helpful for the heart and may have the ability to help reverse steps in the heart disease process. Turmeric may also help to keep the lining of veins and arteries healthy and reduce cholesterol levels. These are just a few of the many benefits of turmeric and curcumin. Research continues to come out on turmeric in other areas of health, including liver health, blood sugar control, and even cancer risk. So, get out there and eat some curry, drink some golden milk or turmeric tea, and utilize turmeric for all its benefits! ●
MAY 2022
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4/1/22 1:03 PM
