By Grace Ademulegun
Turmeric has been regarded as a superfood that helps alleviate depression, prevent cancer, and more.
In a recent study, curcumin pills were found to alleviate the symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) in women who were monitored for three consecutive menstrual cycles. According to a study on guinea pig and rat muscles, turmeric may also help with menstruation cramps.
The herb turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a member of the ginger family. It has been used for thousands of years in both medicine and cookery, but its strong anti-inflammatory qualities have recently drawn attention.
The main active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, has potential uses in the treatment of a number of ailments, such as anxiety, metabolic syndrome, chronic inflammation, and pain.
Specifically, several studies show that extra doses of curcumin can reduce arthritic pain just as well as some popular anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.
Although the quantity of turmeric you normally consume in food is unlikely to have a major therapeutic impact, you can also use fresh or dried turmeric in recipes like curries.
The active component of turmeric, according to Mary-Eve Brown, a clinical dietitian and nutritionist specialising in oncology at Johns Hopkins Medicine, is curcumin, a naturally occurring polyphenol with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities.
Curcumin has a wide range of biological functions, not all of which are fully understood, according to Brown. Turmeric is high in phytonutrients, which, like other vibrant plant-based meals, may safeguard cells from harm and neutralise free radicals like those found in sunlight and pollution.
It has been suggested that diets high in plant-based foods can help avoid diseases like cancer and heart disease. “Adding some turmeric to their foods could be beneficial for anyone trying to manage inflammation,” she continues.
According to Brown, turmeric may help with inflammatory diseases like colitis, allergies, infections, and joint disorders like arthritis. According to one research, including turmeric in recipes helped persons with osteoarthritis experience decreased joint discomfort.
Although there have been some studies on turmeric’s potential advantages for mood disorders, depression, and dementia, additional study is required to fully validate these findings.
Turmeric may help with inflammation, degenerative eye diseases, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, hyperlipidaemia (blood cholesterol), anxiety, post-exercise muscle pain, and renal health, according to research studies.
But excessive amounts of curcumin, such those in concentrated turmeric pills, might have negative effects and interfere with some drugs. Supplemental turmeric can reduce the side effects of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, and indomethacin.
While turmeric is harmless for most people when eaten in tea or food, if you are sensitive to the spice, taking it may induce a rash, hives, or gastrointestinal ache. Most negative effects are connected with very high quantities of curcumin seen in supplements such as tablets, capsules, and gummies.
Because of its limited bioavailability, the quantity of curcumin found in turmeric that people usually eat is unlikely to have many discernible health effects.
Although curcumin supplements have the potential to be more effective, researchers are now working to increase curcumin’s bioavailability while maintaining its safety at higher dosages.
A common component in many different cuisines is turmeric. In addition to being a key ingredient in curry powder, consumers frequently use it in soups, smoothies, and hot beverages.
The Arthritis Foundation claims that curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties and inhibits the production of many inflammatory chemicals by the body.
According to earlier research, curcumin is just as efficient as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen at reducing osteoarthritis pain and inflammation. There is evidence that curcumin may help rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who are losing bone.
Additionally, curcumin or turmeric may reduce inflammation-related pain. Evidence that curcumin may reduce pain from a variety of ailments, including arthritis, was discovered in a 2018 assessment of earlier studies.
One of turmeric’s traditional applications in Ayurvedic medicine is to promote better digestion. Turmeric may be beneficial for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), especially by easing stomach pain, according to a 2022 review of previous studies.
Curcumin is gaining attention as a possible cancer therapy. Clinical trials are still in their early phases, the National Cancer Institute stresses. There isn’t enough proof yet that turmeric or curcumin may cure cancer.
According to a few brief studies, however, curcumin may lessen the negative effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy and enhance the quality of life for cancer patients.
Curcumin and turmeric might have negative effects, just like any other substance. High doses of turmeric or curcumin might result in digestive symptoms as diarrhoea, vomiting, acid reflux, nausea, and stomach pain.
People with bleeding disorders or those using blood thinners may be concerned about turmeric’s ability to thin the blood and facilitate bleeding. By blocking the body’s ability to absorb iron, high doses of turmeric supplements have also been connected to iron deficiency and, in rare instances, liver damage or poisoning.
Furthermore, lead contamination in turmeric has been documented in some areas, underscoring the significance of buying from reliable suppliers. In sensitive people, allergic reactions can also manifest as skin rashes, itching, or swelling.
Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities make it an intriguing natural medicine with numerous potential health advantages.
However, consuming supplements should be done with caution, and more research is required to completely understand their potential adverse effects and medical capabilities.
