Here, we’ll investigate curcumin’s different health benefits and look at any potential side effects. We’ll explain how to get more in your life, including how curcumin supplements work.
Different health benefits of curcumin
Like other bright natural foods, curcumin is rich in phytochemicals and phytonutrients.5These are curcumin’s supposed health benefits:
- Anti-inflammatory. Inflammation is linked to a variety of ills, including various types disease6 and curcumin is such an effective anti-inflammatory.
- Antioxidant effects. Oxidative stress, a natural process exacerbated by smoking and pollution (among other things), is strongly linked to ageing and age-related diseases.7 Not only does curcumin contain antioxidants which help fight oxidative stress8, but it also helps the body produce antioxidants.9
- Mood support. Curcumin can support your mood and reduce stress.
- Improves cognition. Curcumin encourages growth and plasticity of genes in the brain, It’s linked to better cognitive function.10
Potential side effects of curcumin
Most people can take curcumin supplements without any problems. However, some people may experience adverse side effects, including:
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Yellow stool11
- Acid reflux
- Indigestion
How to include more curcumin in your diet
Scientists have shown that cooking turmeric with oil encourages curcumin absorption.13 It’s easy enough to add a spoon of olive or coconut oil to a curry, or rice dish, prepared with turmeric, and doing so helps the body better process curcumin.Taking curcumin
With so many different benefits of curcumin, taking a curcumin supplement is a fantastic way to enjoy this pigment’s health benefits. Most supplements include black pepper, as the blood can’t effectively absorb curcumin without it. Black pepper increases the blood’s efficacy at absorbing curcumin by 3000%!14Last updated: 13 October 2020
- https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/curcumin
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92752/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3633300/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17044766/
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/add-color-to-your-diet-for-good-nutrition
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/40/48/3910/5556831
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10964379/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10964379/
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jat.1517
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3281036/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6835707/
- https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/turmeric-potential-adverse-effects-and-interactions/
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-37408293
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9619120/