The secret's in THE SPICE

UNCOVER TURMERIC'S GOLDEN INGREDIENT

- By Belad Al-karkhey.

Ever wondered why that bottle of turmeric in your pantry is so yellow? The answer lies in curcumin – a bright chemical that serves as the main active ingredient. Along with giving turmeric its colour, curcumin is the reason for most of turmeric's natural healing properties. But what are those benefits? As a natural anti-inflammatory, curcumin has been shown to help alleviate symptoms of joint pain and a number of autoimmune disorders. It's an antioxidant, meaning it can protect our cells against damage from free radicals.

If you're struggling with aching joints or a winter flare-up, then consider incorporating turmeric into your daily routine, though be sure to advise your doctor of any supplements you're interested in taking.

While the spice is ancient news, it's relatively new for Western medicine, and taking supplements may interfere with certain medications.