You probably know turmeric for its bright yellow hue in curry dishes. If you’ve never seen the spice in its natural state, it looks a lot like ginger but is bright orange inside. What you might not know is that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has an amazing array of health benefits.
In 2016, Google’s Food Trends Report named this formerly obscure Indian spice a “rising star,” noting that between November 2015 and January 2016, searches were up 56%. As well, YouTube videos featuring the health benefits of this gnarly root stalk got an astounding 3.9 million hits. Yellow-hued turmeric lattes have even started popping up in trendy coffee shops, memorialized on Instagram and Facebook feeds.
The Health Benefits of Turmeric
1. Turmeric is an antioxidant.
For centuries, turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for its antioxidant, antiseptic, pain relieving, antimalarial and anti-inflammatory properties. More recently, tumeric’s wide-ranging health benefits have been documented in hundreds of studies. Turmeric truly is a functional food.
2. Turmeric helps both the mind and body.
Eating curry powder or taking curcumin supplements has been shown to improve cognitive performance, alleviate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, and relieve pain and inflammation associated with diabetes and osteoarthritis of the knee. In one study, curcumin proved effective in treating mental health illnesses such as major depressive disorder. And in a study of postmenopausal women, consumption of curcumin, along with aerobic exercise, lessened the risk of heart disease due to its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects.
3. Turmeric has anti-cancer effects.
Turmeric has demonstrated effectiveness in preventing or treating colorectal cancer, head and neck cancers and advanced pancreatic cancer, and in reducing the rate of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) increase among men with prostate cancer.
4. Turmeric helps relieve asthma symptoms.
Turmeric’s active ingredient curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory that is effective in treating airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma and other allergic inflammatory diseases.
How to Use Turmeric
Sprinkle ground turmeric over soups and stirfrys. Turmeric can also give your mac and cheese a flavorful boost. If you’re using fresh turmeric root, peel and grate it like a ginger root. Sauté freshly grated turmeric in stirfrys or use in marinades for chicken and fish. For more ideas on how to use turmeric, look to Bon Appétit magazine which has no less than 30 recipes featuring turmeric, ranging from traditional curry to cutting edge.
