It used to be that you went to a coffee shop to drink, well, coffee. Now golden milk lattes rule the roost and turmeric is everywhere. This used to be one of the spices in my pantry that got neglected, but now I feel pressure to start making it the star player. As GQ columnist Bill Bradley writes, “turmeric has graduated from Stone Age staple to superfood du jour for people who can afford an Equinox membership.” (1)
Like every trendy superfood, health claims run the gamut. From simple digestion cures to a cancer antidote, you can pretty much find anything online.
It is, after all, the Internet.
Here are seven facts about this vibrant spice that will put you in the know, rather than making you into one of those hipsters who only drink Golden Milk lattes. Unless, you know, that’s who you want to be.
1) Turmeric gets its colour from curcumin. Coming from the curcumin longa plant, this is what is responsible for turmeric’s many healing properties. It is a collection of three or four compounds known collectively as curcuminoids and ultimately, turmeric only has 3% curcumin per weight. To get the full benefits of this spice, you would have to take a supplement, but unfortunately, curcumin is poorly absorbed by the bloodstream. (2,3,4)
2) A turmeric rich life may be the secret to a long life. Some studies have concluded that there is a strong link between curcumin and longevity. If that isn’t enough reason to start adding the lovely golden hue to more than curry, I don’t know what is. Plus, it has a ton of antioxidants so you can look great living long. (2)
3) It won’t fix everything. Like so many superfood ingredients that claim to cure all, the real truth is that there is no one food on the planet that can cure all. It's a bummer for all of us.
4) There is good evidence that turmeric can help with some ailments. This includes knee pain from arthritis (one study found it to be as effective as Advil!) and the likelihood of a heart attack after bypass surgery. (3)
5) It aids with digestion (or can hurt your stomach). Turmeric is sometimes used in Ayurvedic medicine as a digestive healing agent. However, the same compounds that support digestive health can also negatively impact digestion in large doses, likely due to the fact that turmeric stimulates the stomach to produce more gastric acid. (5)
6) Pregnant woman should avoid it. Add to the list of other delicious foods to keep at bay for nine months. Turmeric can act as a blood thinner, but small amounts as a spice should not be a problem (phew). (5)
7) Any alternative therapy should be cleared by a doctor. It is easy to think that spices or all natural compounds are your domain, and a way to get healthier. In many cases this is true, but anything in higher doses may not mix with your medications or be right for you. A doctor that has your full health history will be able to let you know.