{"id":4493,"date":"2025-02-19T14:49:41","date_gmt":"2025-02-19T03:49:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/?p=4493"},"modified":"2025-02-19T15:57:09","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T04:57:09","slug":"benefits-of-turmeric","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/health-hub\/benefits-of-turmeric\/","title":{"rendered":"Benefits of Turmeric"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to Turmeric<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Turmeric is a peppery orange-yellow spice found in the root of a plant called Curcuma longa that grows in India and Southeast Asia. It has a <\/span>history of medicinal and culinary use<\/span><\/a> that goes back at least three thousand years and is due to a chemical called curcumin.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the last decade or so, turmeric has been more widely used across the world, partly due to its popularity in the \u2018wellness industry\u2019 and the growing popularity of complementary and alternative medicines. This increased interest has led to the scientific investigation of turmeric\u2019s potential health benefits.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article we will explain what those potential benefits are and what the research has discovered. We\u2019ll also take a look at turmeric\u2019s use in cooking and provide tips for incorporating it into your daily life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Potential Health Benefits of Turmeric<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The potential health benefits of turmeric \u2013 or more precisely of curcumin \u2013 come from its <\/span>anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant effects<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Antioxidants combat harmful atoms called free radicals that damage cells, proteins and DNA via a process called oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is associated with several conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer\u2019s, autoimmune disorders, cancer and diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Inflammation has been identified as a factor in the development of many chronic diseases and conditions. These include Alzheimer\u2019s disease, Parkinson\u2019s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, cerebral injury, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, cancer, allergies, asthma, bronchitis, colitis, arthritis, psoriasis, diabetes, depression, fatigue and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).<\/span><\/p>\n

Turmeric in Research and Clinical Trials<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In 2022, <\/span>a review of research<\/span><\/a> into its therapeutic possibilities examined the findings about its effects on cancer, inflammatory diseases, infections, ulcers, depression, immune system management and fertility. The review concluded that while there is evidence to <\/span>suggest<\/span><\/i> its efficacy in treating a wide range of health conditions, particularly diseases associated with inflammation, further research is needed to evaluate its potential.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2023, a research paper in the <\/span>International Journal of Molecular Sciences<\/span><\/i><\/a> provided an overview of the effectiveness of curcumin supplements. This was based on the results of 389 clinical trials (research studies with human participants).<\/span><\/p>\n

The review found that curcumin supplements are likely to have positive effects on conditions associated with long-term unhealthy weight such as type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD), cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke. The same applies to the effects of curcumin on musculoskeletal disorders such as tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. According to the review, studies that covered neurocognitive, gastrointestinal and cancer-related disorders reported mixed results.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to continuing to explore curcumin\u2019s potential for preventing or treating a wide range of diseases and conditions, future research is likely to investigate ways of increasing its absorption into the body.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cooking with Turmeric in Recipes<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The key to turmeric\u2019s popularity is its peppery, slightly bitter, flavour which works well with many ingredients.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Turmeric can enhance many dishes including:<\/strong><\/h6>\n