Health Benefits of Curcumin
Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. Turmeric is native to Southeast Asia, but is popular all over the world. It is perhaps most popular in India, where it is one of the main spices in curry powders. Its flavor is warm and bitter, and it has a striking yellow color.
Turmeric has been reported to have many health benefits. Its use as a medicine dates back nearly 4,000 years.
Curcumin is a bioactive compound and is what gives turmeric its bright color. It was first isolated by scientists around the turn of the 20th Century, and its antibacterial properties were first demonstrated in 1949. Subsequent research showed it to have anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidant properties, and several other marked benefits.
Claims about the health benefits of curcumin abound. Traditionally, it was used to treat skin disorders, upper respiratory disorders, joint pain, digestive problems, and more. Modern research has confirmed some of these long-understood health benefits and helped demonstrate the biological mechanisms behind them.
Some curcumin health benefits include:
Arthritis Symptom Relief
Curcumin has been shown to help with the painful symptoms of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This is due in large part to its anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation can manifest as redness, swelling, warmth in the affected joints, joint pain, and joint stiffness. Several studies have shown curcumin to be effective for reducing these inflammation symptoms.
Eye Health
Research has shown curcumin may be beneficial for your kidneys. Specifically, curcumin may help in healing acute kidney injuries and increasing antioxidants.
Hay Fever Relief
Hay fever or other seasonal allergy symptoms may be reduced by ingesting curcumin. This includes sneezing, itching, runny nose, and congestion.
Potential Cancer Treatment
There’s not enough evidence to prove that curcumin can prevent or treat cancer. However, there are several ongoing studies that are aimed at better understanding curcumin’s potential in this area. Some research shows it may reduce the ability of cancer cells to multiply.
Health Benefits
Several studies have shown curcumin to be beneficial in managing inflammatory and degenerative eye disorders. While the study sizes have been relatively small, they indicate curcumin may be good for keeping eyes healthy and treating some eye diseases.
