14/08/2026
Turmeric: The Healthiest Of Spices?
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a culinary spice, a major ingredient in Indian curries. Used as both medicine and food for centuries, accumulating evidence suggests that this relative of ginger is a promising preventive agent for a wide range of diseases, probably due largely to its anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin is the chief active component of turmeric and is usually taken as a supplement. Research indicates that:
Curcumin seems to delay liver damage, potentially protecting from the eventual progression to cirrhosis.
Turmeric reduces levels of heterocyclic amines – carcinogenic compounds that are formed when meats are barbecued, boiled, or fried – by up to 40 percent.
Curcumin inhibits the growth of skin cancer (melanoma) and also slows the spread of breast cancer into the lungs.
Turmeric that is part of daily curries eaten in India may help explain the low rate of Alzheimer’s disease in that country.