10 Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin
Turmeric, and its active ingredient curcumin, may have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and other benefits.
The spice known as turmeric may be the most effective nutritional supplement in existence.
Many high-quality studies show that turmeric has major benefits for your body and brain. Many of these benefits come from its main active ingredient, curcumin.
What are turmeric and curcumin?
Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow colour.
It has been used in India for thousands of years as both a spice and medicinal herb. Recently, science has started to back up traditional claims that turmeric contains compounds with medicinal properties.
These compounds are called curcuminoids. The most important one is curcumin.
Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.
1. Turmeric contains bioactive compounds with medicinal properties
However, the curcumin content of turmeric isn’t that high. It’s around 3% by weight. Most of the studies on this herb use turmeric extracts that contain mostly curcumin itself, with dosages usually exceeding 1 gram per day.
It would be very difficult to reach these levels just using turmeric as a spice in your foods. That’s why some people choose to use supplements.
However, curcumin is poorly absorbed into your bloodstream. In order to experience the full effects of curcumin, its bioavailability needs to improve.
It helps to consume it with black pepper, which contains piperine. Piperine enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2000%.
Curcumin is also fat soluble, meaning it breaks down and dissolves in fat or oil. That’s why it may be a good idea to take curcumin supplements with a meal that’s high in fat.
Turmeric contains curcumin, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Most studies use turmeric extracts that are standardized to include large amounts of curcumin.
2. Curcumin is a natural anti-inflammatory compound
Inflammation is incredibly important. It helps fight foreign invaders and has a role in repairing damage in your body.
Although acute, short-term inflammation is beneficial, chronic inflammation can be a concern if it begins attacking your body’s own tissues.
Scientists now believe that chronic low-level inflammation can play a role in some health conditions and diseases, including:
- heart disease
- cancer
- metabolic syndrome
- Alzheimer’s disease
- various degenerative conditions
Curcumin is a bioactive substance that can fight inflammation, although very high doses are required to produce medicinal results.
3. Turmeric can increase the antioxidant capacity of the body
Oxidative damage is believed to be one of the mechanisms behind aging and many diseases. It involves free radicals — highly reactive molecules that can damage fatty acids, proteins, or DNA.
Curcumin is a potent antioxidant that can neutralise free radicals due to its chemical structure.
Animal and cellular studies suggest that curcumin may block the action of free radicals and stimulate the activity of other antioxidants. More clinical studies in humans are needed.
4. Curcumin can boost brain-derived neurotrophic factor
Neurons can form new connections and multiply in certain areas of the brain. One of the main drivers of this process is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
BDNF plays a role in memory and learning. Low levels of BDNF have been linked to depression and Alzheimer’s disease.
Animal studies have found that curcumin may increase brain levels of BDNF, potentially delaying or reversing degenerative brain conditions.
5. Curcumin may lower your risk of heart disease
Curcumin may help reverse many steps in the heart disease process. Its main benefit appears to be improving the function of the endothelium — the lining of your blood vessels.
Endothelial dysfunction is a major driver of heart disease. Curcumin may help improve endothelial function, reduce inflammation, and reduce oxidation.
In one study of 121 people undergoing bypass surgery, those taking curcumin had a 65% decreased risk of experiencing a heart attack in hospital.
6. Turmeric may help prevent cancer
Curcumin has been studied as a beneficial herb in cancer treatment and has been found to affect cancer growth and development.
Studies show it can:
- contribute to the death of cancerous cells
- reduce angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels in tumours)
- reduce metastasis (spread of cancer)
There is evidence that curcumin may help prevent cancer, especially cancers of the digestive system.
7. Curcumin may be useful in treating Alzheimer’s disease
Curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier. It may help reduce inflammation and oxidative damage — both believed to play a role in Alzheimer’s disease.
Studies show curcumin can help clear amyloid plaques, a key feature of Alzheimer’s.
8. Arthritis patients respond well to curcumin supplements
Given curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties, it may help with arthritis. Several studies show improvements in symptoms.
In one study, curcumin was more effective than an anti-inflammatory drug for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
9. Curcumin has benefits against depression
In a controlled trial, curcumin performed as well as Prozac in reducing symptoms of depression.
Curcumin may boost BDNF levels and increase serotonin and dopamine.
10. Curcumin may help delay aging and fight age-related chronic diseases
If curcumin can help prevent heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s, it may also support longevity.
Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects may play a role in healthy aging.
To conclude…
Turmeric — and especially curcumin — has many scientifically proven health benefits, including the potential to improve heart health and protect against Alzheimer’s and cancer.
It’s a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It may also help improve symptoms of depression and arthritis.
If you are considering taking a turmeric supplement, we offer a 1 Year Supply of Organic Turmeric Curcumin with Organic Black Pepper in capsule form.
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