It is the spice that helps from menstrual pain to healing wounds

From ancient times to the present day, spices have been used on a daily basis not only for the particular taste they give to food, but also for their beneficial properties for health.

Among the spices that stand out both for their taste and for their “miraculous” action, we find turmeric that just by its royal “golden” color we understand how beneficial it is.

What is turmeric?

Curcuma, or turmeric (scientific name: Curcuma longa [Κουρκούμη η μακρά]) or yellow root, is a spice that comes from the plant of the Zygiveridae family.

As explained by Dr. Duane Mellor, nutritionist and head of the medical school at Aston University in Birmingham, England, its importance is widespread and has already been used by humans for over 4,000 years.

In addition to cooking and cosmetics, it is a staple of traditional Ayurvedic medical practice, used to treat a variety of ailments such as arthritis.

While even today, turmeric remains a popular dietary supplement.

There are numerous articles and social media posts claiming the health benefits of this spice, from brain function to reducing pain and inflammation.

But while some of these claims are supported by evidence, most of this research is based on cells and animals, making the actual effects in humans less clear.

While turmeric is reported to contains over 100 different compounds, most reported health benefits relate to specific compounds called curcuminoids (the most abundant being curcumin).

What are curcuminoids?

Curcuminoids are fat-soluble polyphenolic pigments, which are molecules that plants often secrete to deter animals from eating them. This is what gives turmeric its distinctive bright orange-yellow color, but it can also change how cells work.

The main curcuminoid in turmeric is called curcumin (95% by weight compared to other curcuminoids), so curcumin is the main and most active component of turmeric.

How Does Turmeric Affect Health?

Many of the potential health effects of turmeric have been linked to these phenolic compounds which, according to Dr. Duane Mellor, have been laboratory proven to have antioxidant activity.

Antioxidants are substances that prevent or slow damage caused by free radicals – a harmful type of molecule that can cause inflammation and has also been linked to heart disease and cancer.

“However, even though turmeric acts as anti-inflammatory, many health benefits have only been proven in the laboratory” emphasizes the scientist by giving the following example.

“For example, scientists in one study fed obese mice one gram of curcumin per kilogram of body weight.

After 12 weeks, they found that the mice given curcumin had similar improvements in brain function and lower levels of liver inflammation than the mice on the diet.“.

However, as he points out, although this may have been successful in mice, “it is unclear if it would have the same effect in humanseven adding that if this had been achieved in humans, “an average 70kg person would need to consume more than 2kg of turmeric per day during the trial – which would be impossible”.

The potential health benefits of turmeric

Numerous scientific studies have shown that turmeric affects more than 700 genes, which could, in part, explain its many health benefits.

Some of the points that the experts emphasize are:

1. It has an anti-cancer effect

2. It has an anti-inflammatory effect (it acts against arthritis and pancreatitis)

3. It has an antioxidant effect

4. Reduces rheumatic and menstrual pain

5. It helps in digestion

6. It has an antimicrobial effect and helps heal wounds, treat ulcers and eczema

In particular, the pharmacological evaluation of curcuminoids has shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, but also cytotoxic actions in various types of cancer.

Dimethoxycurcumin has shown significant anticancer effects, primarily against prostate cancer.

Are turmeric supplements just as effective? Read in one click on News4Health.gr