What are the health benefits of turmeric?

Learn about the health benefits of turmeric. What nutrients does it contain and what is it good for?

In the last blog post in this series, we looked at what turmeric is, where it comes from and some of its properties. In this post, we are going to explore the health benefits of turmeric. Find out why this golden coloured spice has been used for thousands of years to support health and wellbeing.

Questions this blog series will answer include:

• What is turmeric?

• What are the health benefits of turmeric?

• How to use turmeric in your daily diet

• Does the quality of turmeric matter?

• When and how to supplement with turmeric or curcumin

• Easy and healthy turmeric recipes

What are the health benefits of turmeric?

From ancient remedies to modern research, turmeric is celebrated for its potential to fight inflammation, protect the body from free radicals, and support overall wellness. Let’s explore the health benefits of this powerful spice.

Nutrients found within turmeric

Turmeric contains several nutrients that are known for supporting health and wellbeing. These include:

• Curcuminoids: curcumin is the most abundant

• Minerals: calcium, manganese, iron, potassium, phosphorus

• Vitamins: B Vitamins (B6), Vitamin C, Vitamin K

• Macronutrients: fibre, carbohydrates, protein

Health benefits of curcumin

Curcumin is the primary active compound found in turmeric that gives it its bright yellow colour and many of its health-supportive properties. It is a polyphenol, a type of plant-based chemical known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and potentially even anti-cancer properties.

Nutritionists recommend curcumin to support:

• Inflammation

• Joint support

• Exercise recovery

• Digestion and bile stimulation

• Brain health

• Low mood

• Memory and learning

• Heart health

• Cancer prevention

Curcumin has low bioavailability, which means that the body absorbs only a small amount when taken alone. To increase the amount that your body absorbs, it is best taken alongside black pepper (which contains piperine) and fat.

Minerals found in turmeric

Turmeric contains a number of minerals that are known for their health benefits. Some of these benefits include:

• Calcium: muscle contraction, bones and teeth, nerve function and blood clotting.

• Iron: making red blood cells, oxygen transport, muscle function and hormone support.

• Manganese: bone, brain & nerve health, antioxidant support, metabolism, wound healing, reproduction and sulphur breakdown.

• Potassium: heart, bone and kidney health, muscle & nerve function and fluid balance.

• Phosphorus: energy, bones & teeth, growth and repair, kidney function and more!

Health-supportive vitamins found within turmeric

Turmeric contains three noteworthy vitamins that can support your health and wellbeing:

• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): energy, red blood cell production, brain function, neurotransmitter creation, immune health and detoxification.

• Vitamin C: antioxidant, immune health, wound healing and iron absorption.

• Vitamin K: blood clotting, bone and cognitive health.

Macronutrients found in turmeric

The two main macronutrients found within turmeric are carbohydrates and fibre. However, as turmeric is typically used in small quantities, the benefits of these are likely to be negligible.

While turmeric has been used as a medicine for thousands of years, modern research is still in its early stages, and more studies are needed to confirm these benefits. 

---

In the next post, we will look at 'How to use turmeric in your daily diet'.

How to use turmeric