Turmeric as an Anti-Inflammatory

Turmeric is a type of flowering plant that is closely related to ginger. This orange-colored root is used in cooking, homeopathic medicine, religious ceremonies, and even as a fabric dye. It can either be used in its full root form or is often ground and dried into a powdered spice. There have been many debates over the years of whether or not turmeric actually has medicinal properties. Luckily, recent studies have shown that the primary compound in the root, curcumin, is packed with antioxidants and has major anti-inflammatory properties.

Many people simply think of inflammation as redness or soreness surrounding an open wound, when, in reality, inflammation can be found throughout the entire body.  Inflammation occurs as a result of your body fighting off unwanted pathogens. On one hand, this is good, your body is protecting itself and promoting healing. On the other hand, chronic, sustained inflammation can wreak havoc on your body over time. This means that your gut, heart, blood vessels, and tissues can all become chronically inflamed, causing pain, discomfort, or even disease. Many Western illnesses such as cancer, arthritis, diabetes, bowel, and heart disease can actually be traced back to, or are exacerbated by, inflammation. 

One of the primary causes of chronic inflammation is a poor diet. The excessive consumption of artificial sugars, trans-fats, processed meats, and alcohol can all add to inflammation in the body. This is especially bad because, in today’s day and age, it is hard to find anything not processed, full of sugar, or just plain bad for you. Luckily, there is hope found in the form of curcumin, or better yet, the little orange root it is found in.  

As previously mentioned, curcumin is a strong antioxidant that has inflammatory-fighting properties. It is so powerful that studies have shown curcumin can match the effectiveness of some anti-inflammatory drugs on the market. Curcumin blocks the NF-kb molecules that travel to the nuclei of cells and trigger the genes that cause inflammation. Unfortunately, curcumin is not easily absorbed by the human body. But, when paired with piperine, the pungent alkaloid in black pepper, it becomes easier for the body to absorb. An article published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine in 2017 stated that combining piperine and curcumin enhances curcumin absorption by up to 2000%. Luckily for most people, black pepper is a staple ingredient in cooking. This makes your inclusion of turmeric in your diet seamless and easy because you are most likely already going to have piperine involved!

So, while this is just the “tip of the turmeric root,” so to speak, I hope you have gained a basic understanding of turmeric and its anti-inflammatory properties. Dive in, do some more research, and find delicious turmeric-infused recipes (I recommend trying a classic Indian curry to start, or if you’re feeling adventurous, check out recipes for golden lattes). It is important for all of us to focus more on illness/disease prevention, rather than just treatment after the sickness has already developed. So, even if chronic inflammation does not seem like a huge issue in your life right now, it is a good idea to reassess your diet and see where you can incorporate anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric.