Turmeric’s treasure lies in curcumin’s benefits. Curcumin has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers are investigating whether it may help diseases in which inflammation plays a role — from arthritis to ulcerative colitis.
Turmeric contains antioxidant properties. A study found that it may be able to protect your body by neutralizing free radicals.
Depression can cause a reduction in brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF), which causes your hippocampus to shrink, which is responsible for learning and memory. Curcumin may be able to boost BDNF levels, and possibly reverse the decline.
Who shouldn't take turmeric? Turmeric should be avoided by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is safe when used in small quantities, but it can be dangerous in large amounts for medicinal purposes. If you are having scheduled surgery, it's best to avoid turmeric. Turmeric can thin your blood, which could lead to complications in blood clotting.
Turmeric has also deep roots in both Chinese traditional medicine and Ayurveda for treating arthritis. Research suggests that taking turmeric extract could potentially reduce pain from osteoarthritis, though further study is still needed.
When used in conjunction with medication to reduce cholesterol levels, turmeric could be of benefit. Research has shown that curcumin is safe. It may also protect against heart disease for those who are at higher risk. However, more research needs to be done on how much and what kind of curcumin is most effective.