Turmeric, a spice that has been known as a medicinal spice since ancient times, has gained popularity as a source of the polyphenol curcumin, which is of great interest to the medical/scientific community and culinary enthusiasts. It helps alleviate oxidative and inflammatory conditions, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, anxiety, and hyperlipidemia symptoms. Additionally, it may improve recovery and performance in an active lifestyle by reducing inflammation and muscle soreness associated with exercise. Several people even consume curcumin tablets to avail themselves of the health benefits.
Further, people who do not have any diagnosed health conditions can still benefit from a relatively low complex dose. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects are primarily responsible for these benefits. Ingesting curcumin alone doesn’t produce the associated health benefits due to its poor bioavailability, which might be because of poor absorption, rapid metabolism, and rapid elimination. Bioavailability can be increased with a variety of components as well.
This article aims to highlight the fascinating health benefits of curcumin, they are mentioned below:
Antidepressant Properties Of Curcumin
Depression can be treated with curcumin. In a controlled trial, 60 people with depression were randomly assigned to three groups. One group, curcumin by another, took Prozac, and both groups took both Prozac and curcumin.
Within six weeks, curcumin had produced similar results to Prozac. According to this study, both Prozac and curcumin were influential in the treatment group, and Curcumin provides the same benefits as antidepressants. Additionally, depression is associated with decreased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and shrinkage of the hippocampus, a memory- and learning-related brain area.
Some of those changes can be reversed with curcumin, which increases BDNF levels. Several studies have found that taking curcumin tablets can boost serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain.
Curcumin Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
It is known that turmeric fights inflammation, and the majority of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric can be attributed to curcumin. Studies have found that curcumin may be an effective anti-inflammatory treatment when used at the proper dose, especially when combined with other common medicines like Advil (ibuprofen) and aspirin. Additional research is needed to determine its effectiveness.
Researchers believe that taking curcumin tablets may ease the symptoms of conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, and arthritis due to chronic inflammation.
Cardio-Protective Effects Of Curcumin
According to a recent study, curcumin may help heart and blood vessel function by strengthening endothelial cells. The endothelium plays an essential role in regulating blood pressure, and the lower endothelial function increases the risk of heart disease with age. Hence, curcumin may help reduce your risk of heart disease and age-related decline in function.
Researchers have compared the effects of aerobic exercise and curcumin supplementation on improving endothelial function in postmenopausal women in one study. Endothelial function improved equally in the exercise and curcumin groups, while there was no change in the control group.
Curcumin, another drug commonly prescribed to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, was equally effective at improving endothelial function in type 2 diabetes (heart disease is a comorbidity associated with type 2).
Some Types Of Cancer Might Be Prevented With Curcumin.
Several cancer types, including colorectal, may be treated and prevented by anti-inflammatory compounds, such as curcumin, due to the link between inflammation and tumour growth, pancreatic, prostate, breast, and gastric cancers.
Cell signalling pathways may be disrupted, cancerous cells may be killed, and cancerous cells may be blocked from forming. Curcumin’s ability to provide cancer treatment in humans is still under investigation, but research is ongoing.
The Bottom Line
Several turmeric’s benefits have been scientifically proven, such as improving heart health and preventing Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. Inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great health food. Additionally, it may help treat depression and arthritis symptoms. Due to curcumin’s limited bioavailability, these benefits may not be possible at present, and more research is needed.
