Turmeric Root (Curcuma Longa)
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Form: Powder / Extract
Food Source: Turmeric
Benefits of Turmeric Root
- Healthy joints
- Neurological health
What is Turmeric Root?
Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family that grows throughout India and Southeast Asia. The rhizomes (roots and shoots) of the plant are harvested, dried and ground into a powder that is used as a spice for cooking and also as an ancient Ayurvedic medicine.
Turmeric is hugely popular for the powerful properties of its active ingredient, Curcumin. The active compounds in Turmeric are flavonoids called Curcuminoids, which impart a range of scientifically studied health benefits. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant, a compound that ‘scavenges’ and neutralises harmful ‘free radicals’. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause a range of health problems.
Turmeric and Curcumin are most commonly taken to support joint health - learn more in ‘5 benefits of Turmeric’.
It’s important to remember that Curcumin is not easily absorbed by the body, so just adding lots of Turmeric to all your dishes will not necessarily provide the benefits of Turmeric. Black Pepper and its active ingredient Piperine, improves the absorption of Curcumin by up to 2000%.
