BY
HOLLY VAN HARE
THE DAILY MEAL
Wednesday, January 24, 2018, 5:24 AM
If you’ve ever used turmeric, you know that stuff can stain. The spice gets its strong hue from curcumin, which, according to a recent study, is powerful enough to brighten more than just the spice’s color. Eating curcumin can lift your mood and improve your memory.
Turmeric has been on our radar before; it’s rumored to have miracle benefits such as curing cancer, preventing inflammation, and boosting the immune system. Now, we can add two more to the list.
The study followed a group of adults for 18 months, monitoring their cognitive abilities and emotions. Those who took a daily curcumin supplement reported a better mood and an improved memory.
“Exactly how curcumin exerts its effects is not certain,” Dr. Gary Small, lead author of the study, said in a statement, “but it may be due to its ability to reduce brain inflammation, which has been linked to both Alzheimer’s disease and major depression.”
Turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for ages.
Turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for ages. (ISTOCKPHOTO.COM)
Alzheimer’s and depression are two momentous health problems in America. Approximately 5.5 million Americans were living with Alzheimer’s in 2017 and around 16.1 million were living with a diagnosis for major depression. Millions of cases of depression go undiagnosed every year.
The supplement may not be for everyone, however — some participants in the study experienced uncomfortable side effects such as stomach pain and nausea.
But for those looking for natural remedies to boost their brain, curcumin could be an appealing choice. You can take a curcumin supplement or consume curcumin by using turmeric in a delicious dinner recipe.