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Is Curcumin Good for You? Here are 5 Benefits You Must Know

This might be something that’s missing from your diet.

Curcumin is a natural compound mainly found in turmeric, which is often used to give that bitter and peppery taste in curry dishes. But the tasty part doesn’t end there. It is also one of the most studied plant extracts around the world for its long list of health benefits to the body.

In this blog, we’ll touch on what curcumin exactly is, the benefits of curcumin, and easy ways to add curcumin to your diet without having to stock up on curry powders.

What is curcumin?

Curcumin is a natural compound found in turmeric (Curcuma longa), a spice that is extensively used around the world for cooking and medicinal purposes. Among the three main curcuminoids in turmeric, curcumin is the major and most biologically active curcuminoid that is linked to its health benefits.

It is also known as a polyphenolic pigment that gives turmeric its distinct bright yellow-orange color. Today, it is used as a food additive in foods such as mustard, sausages, beverages, ice cream, dairy products, and bakery products.

What are the top curcumin benefits?

This natural polyphenol and curcuminoid is known as the “wonder drug of life”. As the main compound in turmeric, it was used to treat various inflammatory conditions because of its high antioxidant content.

Since the 1970s, scientists have been studying curcumin to determine and confirm its multiple health benefits and to improve its bioavailability. Below, you’ll find out its scientifically proven benefits you could be missing out on.

1. Reduces inflammation

Chronic inflammation is one of the main contributors to various diseases such as gastrointestinal disorders and certain types of cancer. Curcumin is shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that may significantly reduce inflammation.

A 2012 study on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has shown evidence of curcumin’s potential to scavenge free radicals and increase antioxidants to improve symptoms.

Another study on patients with postoperative inflammation has revealed that curcumin has comparable, if not similar, anti-inflammatory effects as phenylbutazone, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

2. Relieves pain

Since curcumin has natural anti-inflammatory effects, it is also known as a potential pain reliever. Several studies have investigated its impact on different types of pain that occur in the body.

In a study of burn patients, scientists found that curcumin may be effective in controlling severe burn pain and improving wound healing.

Researchers have also discovered that curcumin may help manage symptoms of pathological pain. This type of pain isn’t usually triggered by a certain event but is caused by a lot of factors, such as disease, injury, and infection.

3. Supports healthy blood glucose levels

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 out of 4 Americans has prediabetes or higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. What’s surprising is that most of these people are not even aware that they have borderline diabetes.

A 2014 study on patients with type 2 diabetes has shown that curcumin capsules, when taken with glyburide, provide anti-diabetic properties by lowering lipids like LDL cholesterol.

Several animal studies have confirmed that curcumin may lower glucose levels by enhancing insulin resistance. It may also prevent diabetes complications in the retina, kidneys, and nervous system.

However, more human studies are needed to establish its efficacy and understand its mechanism.

4. Maintains healthy skin

Curcumin, thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, may be an effective treatment for various skin diseases and an excellent addition to your skincare routine.

In a 2018 review study on the effects of curcumin on skin diseases, researchers have revealed that it may prevent and treat skin aging and disorders such as psoriasis, acne, and skin cancer.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, curcumin can alter gene expression, which can help control psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis flare-ups. They recommend taking turmeric in the form of a supplement.

A review on the potential treatments of acne vulgaris has listed curcumin as a natural antibacterial compound that can prevent the growth of P. acnes, one of the major bacteria that causes acne on the skin.

5. Protects brain function

In the last decades, curcumin has been extensively studied as a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

According to animal studies, curcumin in turmeric may boost levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which has been shown to have antidepressant effects.

When compared to fluoxetine, a common medicine used to treat mental health disorders, curcumin has been suggested to be a safe and effective treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD).

In connection, a 2015 review has shown that curcumin may increase docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is essential for brain development and protection. According to the authors, this may also improve anxiety-like symptoms.

Adding curcumin to your diet

Now that we’ve established that curcumin has a lot to offer when it comes to improving your overall health.

You can easily include curcumin in your diet by adding turmeric to scrambled eggs, salads, smoothies, and soups. If you’re a tea person, adding turmeric tea to your morning routine is a no-brainer. But if you don’t enjoy tea, it’s worth trying a glass of golden milk or turmeric latte.

However, the main problem with curcumin is its low bioavailability. This means that the body can’t efficiently absorb and use its nutrients.

According to various animal and human studies, the easiest way to increase the body’s absorption of curcumin by up to 2000% is to combine it with piperine, a major component of black pepper.

Perfect for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike, our Super Root Turmeric w/ Bioperine contains 600 mg of turmeric root, 50 mg of turmeric extract with 95% curcuminoids, and 5 mg of Bioperine, a patented piperine extract, to enhance its bioavailability.

We recommend taking one capsule per day of this non-GMO and sugar-free turmeric supplement to get all the good stuff without having to cook with a spice all day long.

Make sure to grab a bottle of Super Root Turmeric w/ Bioperine today to experience the wonders of turmeric!