Turmeric is a popular yellow-orange spice. It is also used as a food dye and supplement. The compound curcumin is believed to be responsible for most of its health benefits.
What is turmeric?
Turmeric, also known by the scientific name Curcuma longa, is an ancient Indian spice, medicinal herb and food dye in the ginger family. Its root stalks are bright yellow or orange.
Usually dried and ground into a powder, they are rich in curcuminoids, the plant compounds responsible for turmeric's distinctive color.
Turmeric is an essential ingredient in Indian curries, and its taste is described as bitter and peppery. Turmeric is grown almost all over the world and consumed in India.
It consists mainly of carbohydrates (carbs), mostly starch and fiber. However, like all spices, turmeric contains many plant compounds and nutrients.
The main active compounds in turmeric are curcuminoids.
They are responsible for the yellowish-orange color of turmeric and most of its health benefits.
The most widely studied curcuminoid is curcumin, which may make up about 3% of turmeric (s).
Additionally, commercial turmeric or curcumin powders usually contain additives. These include silicon dioxide, an anti-caking agent that prevents caking.
Some inexpensive turmeric powders may also contain illegal additives that are not listed on the labels.
See: The Best Delicious Herbs and Spices With Powerful Health Benefits
Turmeric benefits
In addition to using turmeric as a spice and food dye, people eat it for its health benefits. Turmeric is used as a flavoring and food dye, adding flavor and color to food.
But it has also been consumed for its health benefits, all of which are attributed to curcumin, the main active ingredient.
Curcumin supplements have the following benefits, for example:
- Reduced inflammation: Chronic inflammation is associated with many diseases. Studies show that curcumin supplementation may reduce levels of inflammatory markers (s).
- Improve your antioxidant status: Curcumin and other curcuminoids are powerful antioxidants that may improve your antioxidant status (s).
- Improved blood vessel function: Studies show that curcumin supplementation may promote dilation of blood vessels, increase blood flow and reduce blood pressure (s, s).
- Reducing the risk of heart attacks: It may also reduce the risk of heart attacks, which is possible through its anti-inflammatory effects (s).