4 Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin

Find out which type of turmeric and curcumin is best for you

Turmeric has quickly become one of the most popular natural supplements. This spice has a rich history in folk medicine, with ancient practitioners using turmeric for digestive ailments, infections, bites, burns, respiratory difficulties, and more during the last two thousand years (1).

Today, people turn to turmeric and curcumin supplements hoping to find relief from conditions as varied as arthritis, allergies, digestive disorders, and depression. (2) The question is this—is there scientific evidence for the benefits of turmeric? This article explores four turmeric benefits that have abundant scientific backing to help you decide if you should use turmeric for health.

The Difference Between Curcumin and Turmeric

When you go to the health food store or search online for turmeric supplements, you should notice two distinct categories: turmeric supplements and curcumin supplements. Turmeric is the bright yellow spice used in curries and other Asian dishes. When a supplement is labeled “turmeric,” that means it contains the whole herb.

Curcumin is a curcuminoid—a class of healthful compounds found in turmeric. While there are many beneficial compounds found in turmeric, curcumin is considered the most powerful. People often opt for curcumin supplements to take advantage of higher quantities of curcumin.

The Top Health Benefits of Curcumin and Turmeric Backed by Science

1. Curcumin Reduces Inflammation

Our body’s inflammatory response is essential for protection from pathogens and healing from injuries. However, there is a good side and a bad side to inflammation. Research suggests that chronic inflammation damages our body’s cells and is involved in most chronic diseases that plague our society (3). These include rheumatoid arthritis, neurological conditions, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders.

With so many devastating conditions linked to excess inflammation, it’s not surprising that many people look for supplements to manage inflammation. So, what does the science say about curcumin for inflammatory disorders?

Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory effects have been shown in multiple in vitro and in vivo studies, with researchers postulating that curcumin’s ability to reduce inflammation may be good for inflammatory problems (4). It’s important to note that we need more large-scale human studies before understanding how curcumin influences inflammatory diseases.

2. Turmeric Supports Healthy Digestion

Digestive disorders are common as people grow older, and they can cause extreme discomfort and interrupt overall health and wellbeing. Early studies show positive effects of curcumin for inflammatory bowel diseases, including Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease (5,6). Thus far, the studies have been small, so more human clinical trials are required before definitive conclusions can be drawn. Future studies may also help doctors recommend the best turmeric or curcumin dosage for IBD.

3. Turmeric Protects Against Oxidative Damage

You probably know that pollution and processed foods are bad for you, but did you know that one of the main reasons is that they contain high levels of damaging compounds called free radicals? Free radicals harm our bodies, with the related damage—known as oxidative damage—tied to cancer, aging, and neurological diseases. Antioxidants are healthful compounds that protect us from free radicals.

Turmeric is packed full of antioxidants, with curcumin being one of the most potent antioxidants in turmeric (7). Additionally, curcumin increases the activity of antioxidants created by the body. Combined, this antioxidant potential may help protect you from a variety of ailments.

4. Curcumin Improves Brain Health

As we age, so do our brains. Both oxidative damage and chronic inflammation damage brain cells, leading to decreased cognitive function and neurological disorders like dementia. Because curcumin is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound, researchers are interested in its potential for brain health.

In a recent study, researchers reviewed literature supporting curcumin’s benefits for multiple neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease (8). These studies provide early evidence that curcumin may help our brains stay healthy as we age.

How to Choose the Best Turmeric Supplement

Now that you know some of the research-backed health benefits of turmeric, you might wonder which turmeric and curcumin supplements are best. While there are many high-quality turmeric supplements available, one problem with many of these is low bioavailability (9).

When you eat turmeric, your body only absorbs a minute quantity of curcumin. The best turmeric supplements are those that make curcumin more bioavailable, so your body can use it.

One of the most bioavailable forms of curcumin is Theracurmin Curcumin, which is 27 times more available to our bodies than your standard curcumin supplement (10). We use Theracurmin Curcumin in our Better Curcumin supplement so that you can enjoy the benefits of curcumin for your health.*

Read Related Articles: Curcumin, Turmeric, Joint Pain & Inflammation, Dementia