What is Turmeric
- Leena Pradhan-Nabzdyk, PhD, MBA
- 3 min read
Description
Turmeric is a popular spice derived from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. It contains curcumin, a chemical that may help reduce inflammation..
Turmeric has a warm, bitter flavor that is commonly used to flavor or color curry powders, mustards, butters, and cheeses. Because curcumin and other chemicals reduce swelling, it is frequently used to treat pain and inflammation.
Turmeric is commonly used to treat osteoarthritis. It is also used to treat hay fever, depression, high cholesterol, a type of liver disease, and itching, but there is little scientific evidence to back up the majority of these claims. There is also no convincing evidence to support the use of turmeric for COVID-19.
Bioactive Compounds
The compounds in turmeric are broadly categorized into two groups: Curcuminoids and Essential Oils.
- The Curcuminoids
These are the most famous bioactives, accounting for about 3–5% of the turmeric root by weight. They are polyphenols and provide the primary antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Curcumin: The “star” of the show. It is the most abundant and well-researched curcuminoid. It interacts with multiple molecular targets involved in inflammation (like NF-kB).
Demethoxycurcumin (DMC): A structural cousin to curcumin that helps stabilize the mixture and has similar antioxidant properties.
Bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC): Often found in smaller amounts, but recent research suggests it may be more stable in certain physiological environments than curcumin itself.
- Volatile Essential Oils
While curcumin gets the marketing, the oils in turmeric (making up 3–7% of the root) are bioactive powerhouses that also help with the absorption of other compounds.
Turmerones (α, β, and Ar-turmerone): These have gained attention for their potential neuroprotective properties and their ability to support “re-epithelialization” (skin healing).
Zingiberene: Also found in ginger, this contributes to the spicy aroma and has digestive benefits.
Curcumol and Cineole: These contribute to the antimicrobial and antifungal profile of the plant.
Uses
Turmeric has been traditionally used to treat:
Hay fever. Taking turmeric by mouth seems to reduce hay fever symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, and congestion.
Depression. Most research shows that taking curcumin, a chemical found in turmeric, by mouth reduces depression symptoms in people already using an antidepressant.
High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia). Taking turmeric by mouth seems to lower levels of blood fats called triglycerides. But the effects of turmeric on cholesterol levels are conflicting. Also, there are many different turmeric products available. It is not known which ones work best.
Buildup of fat in the liver in people who drink little or no alcohol (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD). Taking turmeric extract by mouth reduces markers of liver injury in people who have this condition. It also seems to help prevent the build-up of more fat in the liver.
Swelling (inflammation) and sores inside the mouth (oral mucositis). Taking curcumin, a chemical found in turmeric, by mouth, or as a lozenge or mouthwash, seems to prevent swelling and sores in the mouth during radiation treatment for cancer.
Side Effects
Turmeric is quite safe to use if ingested short-term. Turmeric products that provide up to 8 grams of curcumin daily seem to be safe when used for up to 2 months, Also, taking up to 3 grams of turmeric daily seems to be safe when used for up to 3 months. Turmeric usually doesn’t cause serious side effects however some may experience mild side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea. These side effects are more common at higher doses.
Turmeric is also safe to be applied on skin and used as an enema
Through a combination of genomics, bioinformatics, and AI-based technology, Canomiks has designed a proprietary method to test the functional effect of the ingredients and formulations of functional beverages and dietary supplements. Further, Canomiks has the ability to test every batch of the ingredient being produced at a company to ensure ingredient and thereby product consistency.
Plus, who doesn’t want to consume products they CanTrust?
Sources
Chakraborty A, Mahajan S, Jaiswal SK, et al. Genome sequencing of turmeric provides evolutionary insights into its medicinal properties. Communications Biololgy 2021; 4, 1193. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-02720-y.
Turmeric – Uses, Side Effects, and More [Internet]. WebMD. [cited 2022 Jul 22]; Available from: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-662/turmeric
Vollono L, Falconi M, Gaziano R, et al. Potential of curcumin in skin disorders. Nutrients 2019;11(9):2169. doi: 10.3390/nu11092169. PMID: 31509968; PMCID: PMC6770633.
Other Names for Turmeric
Curcuma, Curcuma aromatica, Curcuma domestica, Curcumae longa, Curcumae Longae Rhizoma, Curcumin, Curcumine, Curcuminoid, Curcuminoids, Halada, Haldi, Haridra, Indian Saffron, Nisha, Pian Jiang Huang, Racine de Curcuma, Radix Curcumae, Rajani, Rhizoma Cucurmae Longae, Safran Bourbon, Safran de Batallita, Safran des Indes, Turmeric Root, Yu Jin.
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Leena Pradhan-Nabzdyk, PhD, MB
Dr. Leena Pradhan-Nabzdyk is a renowned life scientist with expertise in academia, industry, and entrepreneurship. A Harvard Medical School faculty member since 2005, she has led research on diabetes and cardiovascular diseases while mentoring students and postdocs.
As a sought-after speaker, Dr. Pradhan-Nabzdyk shares her insights at events like Supply Side West and Women in Nutraceuticals (WIN), and has presented Canomiks’ work at top conferences. She is featured in publications such as Nutraceuticals World and Nutrition Industry Executive. Dr. Pradhan-Nabzdyk actively supports the nutraceuticals industry, serving as Co-Chair of the WIN Science Committee, and as a board member for Launch Minnesota and the Jeremiah Program.
She holds a PhD in Pharmacology from Tulane University, an MBA from MIT Sloan, and a BSc from the University of Mumbai. Her leadership continues to influence Canomiks and the wellness industry
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