Move over kale, there’s a new superfood in town. From celebrities to co-workers and friends, everyone is talkin’ turmeric. Why? Scientific evidence has been building around the potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties, of curcumin, a compound in turmeric.
Turmeric has been used for centuries in food preparation and in traditional medicines to treat numerous diseases and conditions.
“Turmeric is a popular spice used for cooking as well as part of Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years in India,” said Vandana Sheth, RD, CDE, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “Primarily known for its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric has been used for pain relief and applied topically to help with wound healing.”
There are more than 300 compounds found in turmeric but the one that has garnered the most attention is curcumin, which gives turmeric its golden glow. Emerging scientific evidence suggests that curcumin may have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties, but these findings have not…