Turmeric comes from a plant in the ginger family that is native to Southeast Asia and has historically been used in traditional Indian medicine, and as a culinary spice. It is yellow-coloured with a warm, bitter taste, most often used as an ingredient in curries. Nowadays, turmeric has grown in popularity following a number of high quality studies that highlight its numerous health benefits for the body.
Turmeric contains a compound called curcmin which has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, very high quantities of turmeric would need to be consumed in order to take advantage of these benefits, which is why some people opt for supplements. Here are some of the potential health benefits of turmeric supplements.
Reduce inflammation
The body’s inflammatory response exists to help fight off infections, protect against injury, and repair damage in the body. Short-term inflammation is beneficial, however, when inflammation persists, it can become chronic and attack your own body tissues. Chronic inflammation contributes to nearly all health conditions and diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. When consumed in high doses, curcumin can help fight inflammation by suppressing many molecules that play major roles in the inflammatory response.
