Golden Elixir: Nourishing Your Body with Turmeric

 Written by: Gabrielle Terselic; SLU Dietetic Intern

Nutritional Benefits of Turmeric for Your Body

    Turmeric, its scientific name Curcuma longa, is a spice derived from Asia. It is a plant from the ginger family, Zingiberaceae (2). It has many uses as a spice, dye, medicine, and as a dietary supplement (3). India is the largest producer of Turmeric. India accounts for 80% of the worlds Turmeric production and 60% of the worlds Turmeric exports (2). Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of healing that is still practiced today uses many forms of Turmeric, such as juices, pastes, etc. for ailments (2). It has been used to treat inflammatory diseases, topical wounds, diabetic injuries, tumors, and other diseases. Turmeric is thought to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antifungal, and antibactieral effects due to its main biocompound, curcumin (1).

Curcumin is a polyphenol found in Turmeric and what gives Turmeric its golden color. Curcumin is contained in the root of Turmeric and is known for its medicinal properties. Curcumin also promotes neurogenesis in the brain, which creates new connections to neuronal signaling to form new behaviors (4). Curcumin is also thought to protect against cancer because of its properties against inflammation and oxidation (3). The US Food and Drug Administration has categorized Curcumonoids "Generally Recognized As Safe" (2). There are many benefits to consuming curcumin as it is safe and has many health promoting effects.

Turmeric is a great source of fiber and carbohydrates, two important nutrients for our body. Turmeric also contains vitamin C, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, making it a nutritionally rich compound (3). Not only is it used for its dietary benefits, but it is also being used in cosmetics, sunscreens, and religion. In Indian culture, Turmeric is used to worship the Sun God during the solar period of India (4). Turmeric has many benefits physically and spiritually.

There are a lot of nutritional and health benefits to consuming Turmeric. Turmeric has been around for thousands of years and is used worldwide for many medicinal and non-medicinal purposes. This spice is easy to incorporate through tonics, lattes, or featured in many recipes add rich flavor.  With the benefits outweighing the harm Turmeric has on the body, it is a great addition to any diet. 

Sources: 

1. Abd El-Hack, M.E., El-Saadony, M.T., Swelum, A.A., Arif, M., Abo Ghanima, M.M., Shukry, M.,

Noreldin, A.,

Taha, A.E. and El-Tarabily, K.A. (2021), Curcumin, the active substance of turmeric: its effects on health

and ways to improve its bioavailability. J Sci Food Agric, 101: 5747-5762. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.11372

2. Amanjot Kaur. Historical background of usage of turmeric: A review. J Pharmacogn Phytochem

2019;8(1):2769-2771.

3. Rabia Shabir Ahmad, Muhammad Bilal Hussain, Muhammad Tauseef Sultan, Muhammad Sajid Arshad,

Marwa Waheed, Mohammad Ali Shariati, Sergey Plygun, Mohammad Hashem Hashempur,

"Biochemistry, Safety, Pharmacological Activities, and Clinical Applications of Turmeric: A Mechanistic Review",

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2020, Article ID 7656919, 14 pages, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/7656919

4. Shibu M Poulose, Marshall G Miller, Tammy Scott, Barbara Shukitt-Hale, Nutritional Factors Affecting Adult

Neurogenesis and Cognitive Function, Advances in Nutrition, Volume 8, Issue 6, 2017, Pages 804-811,

iSSN 2161-8313, https://doi.org/10.3945/an.117.016261.

Picture Source: BB, T. (2022, August 4). 7 Turmeric Benefits of Turmeric for Skin Health. BeBeautiful. Retrieved February 23, 2024, from https://www.bebeautiful.in/beautypedia/7-turmeric-benefits-turmeric-skin-health