Many positive properties are attributed to turmeric: anti-inflammatory, digestive and health-promoting, to name just a few. The effect of the “golden spice” has been studied – but there is a problem.
Golden Spice: What is Turmeric?
Turmeric is similar to ginger and also belongs to the ginger family. However, it has a very intense yellow color. Hence the name “turmeric” or “golden spice”. The plant, which can grow up to one meter high, mainly thrives in Asia. As with ginger, the root is used.
The typical turmeric taste is often described as “earthy”, “bitter” or “spicy”. In the kitchen, it is suitable, for example, for rice or potato dishes, but also for refining vegetables. Since turmeric contains essential oils, proteins and about 5 percent curcumin, the spice is often touted as a remedy for many diseases. But what about the healing powers of turmeric?
Manufacturers advertise that turmeric can be used in many ways and, in addition to flatulence and a feeling of fullness, should also help against osteoarthritis, diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer’s. Turmeric does appear to have positive effects on digestion and a reduction in the feeling of fullness after eating. However, turmeric has not yet been sufficiently researched as a remedy for diseases.
Superfood turmeric as a remedy: This is what the spice can do
Turmeric has been used in India for 4000 years. Turmeric was considered sacred there and was one of the most important spices. In the traditional Indian healing art of Ayurveda, turmeric is counted among the so-called “hot spices”. These are said to have a cleansing and energy-giving effect.
So far, the plant has been tested almost exclusively in cell culture and animal experiments, using extremely high doses that humans cannot obtain from dietary supplements. The results from the laboratory studies are therefore not directly transferrable to humans.
A few human studies have been carried out, but since these included very small numbers of participants, the meaningfulness of these studies is very limited. In general, dietary supplements such as turmeric are not intended for the prevention or alleviation of diseases because, unlike conventional medicines, there is no evidence of their effectiveness. Although turmeric is said to have anti-cancer, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, there is still no serious, scientific standard-compliant study that proves these effects.
Turmeric as a dietary supplement
Turmeric can therefore be used as a dietary supplement, since the curcumin it contains has a stimulating effect on digestion, for example, but it should not be used to combat ongoing complaints. Instead, a doctor should be consulted.
Turmeric as a dietary supplement comes in many different forms: turmeric powder*, turmeric extracts*, curcuminoids*, tablets with additional vitamin extracts* or turmeric oil*. For gastrointestinal problems, flatulence and as an anti-inflammatory, turmeric can be taken as a spice or in the form of dietary supplements and seems to help.
Other effects of turmeric
In addition to its digestive and anti-inflammatory effects, turmeric is said to have a whole range of other effects. If the medical journal Andrologia is to be believed, turmeric can not only flavor food but also help with erection problems. The spice is said to improve blood circulation in a man’s best piece.
Diabetics should also benefit from the golden spice. The ingredient curcumin is said to lower elevated blood sugar levels and contribute to reducing insulin resistance, reports the magazine ScienceDirect
In combination with black pepper, turmeric is said to be particularly healthy: According to a study by the “National Library of Medicine”, pepper is said to improve curcumin absorption in the human body by up to 2000 percent. Thanks to the improved absorption capacity, the spice can develop its abilities even more, according to the researchers.
What is undisputed, however, is that turmeric is a delicious ingredient in various recipes. Probably the most classic recipe with turmeric is the golden milk. With just four ingredients, the healthy hot drink, which is said to have countless positive effects, can be prepared within 15 to 20 minutes.
