Grown throughout India and other parts of Asia, turmeric is a staple of Ayurvedic medicine. Today, it’s mainly found in spice or supplement form and commonly used to brighten up curries, stir-fries, soups, and even smoothies. Here are a few more reasons why turmeric deserves a spot on your spice rack.
Turmeric may help improve your memory.
The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry reported that a March 2018 study of people aged 51 to 84 found that those who took a 90-milligram curcumin supplement twice a day for 18 months saw a boost in memory compared with those who took a placebo. The study was small and more research will be needed to confirm these findings, but some scientists believe that curcumin’s anti-inflammatory effects might protect the brain from memory-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Turmeric might ward off heart disease.
Curcumin’s antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds may help protect against certain heart conditions, including diabetic cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), and more, according to a 2017 review in the journal Pharmacological Research.
Turmeric can help ease osteoarthritis pain.
Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States. A 2016 research review found that taking curcumin for four weeks, however, could help relieve osteoarthritis pain in people who already have the condition— an effect that’s comparable to taking NSAIDs or glucosamine.