Turmeric is a deep, golden-orange spice known for adding color, flavor and nutrition to foods. A relative of ginger, turmeric comes from the rhizome (root) of a native Asian plant and has been used in cooking for hundreds of years. It has also been used in ayurvedic and other forms of traditional medicine in China and India.
Turmeric and its components, including curcumin, have been the subject of scientific studies.
“Some research results show that people who have osteoarthritis reported less joint pain when eating turmeric in recipes,” Brown says. “Turmeric’s effect on mood disorders, depression and dementia have also been explored, but studies are small, so more research will reveal if there is a benefit.”
In addition to these conditions, research studies have shown some possible benefits of turmeric for:
Inflammation
Degenerative eye conditions
Metabolic syndrome
Arthritis
Hyperlipidemia (cholesterol in the blood)
Anxiety
Muscle soreness after exercise
Kidney health