10 Benefits Of Turmeric And Curcumin

The popular curry spice and its active ingredient (curcumin) offer a wide array of uses for health and wellness

- Vera Tweed

The spice that gives curry and mustard their bright yellow colors, turmeric has become a leading herbal ingredient in supplements, drinks, and foods because it promises a mind boggling array of health benefits. And the evidence from studies, with turmeric or its bio active extract, curcumin, continues to grow. Although the way the herb works is not fully understood, it’s known to be an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, reducing risk for some cancers and enhancing many aspects of health. Here are a few of its documented uses:

1 Improved Memory. For years, it’s been suggested that eating lots of turmeric is a reason why seniors in India have much lower rates of Alzheimer’s than Americans. Now, a study at the University of California Los Angeles may help to explain the link. Among 40 people ages 50–90, those who took a curcumin supplement daily improved their memory, according to standard tests, by 28 percent after 18 months.

2 A Stronger Heart. A review of studies with a total of 649 patients, published in Nutrition Journal, found that both turmeric and curcumin supplements could enhance heart health by reducing LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and lowering triglycerides among people at risk for heart disease. Levels of “good” HDL cholesterol did not change. In earlier animal research, curcumin somewhat reversed enlarged hearts, reduced scar tissue, and improved heart function.