Turmeric and Digestion

Curcumin may help with side effects of stress

As mask mandates re-enter daily life, feelings of uncertainty, nervousness and stress may resurface too.  You may even experience changes in appetite, mood and digestive issues as a result.  While there are things you can do to support immunity and prevent disease (eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals, get enough sleep, etc), new research published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, suggests that supporting your stomach with curcumin could help keep those digestive issues at bay! 

Curcumin is actually a polyphenol found in turmeric which gives the spice it’s characteristic golden-yellow color!  Turmeric, a tuber very similar to ginger, is an Indian spice that has been used as a remedy in traditional medicine for centuries.  It’s often referred to an Indian saffron or yellow ginger.  You may be most familiar with turmeric as key ingredient in a curry spice blend or “golden milk”! 

The health benefits of this popular tuber extend from traditional Indian medicine to combat disorders of the skin, upper respiratory tract, joints, and digestive system.  It is believed to help relieve gas and bloating and to have anti-inflammatory properties.  This study looked at the effects of curcumin on mood, GI symptoms and overall quality of life for 77 participants over an eight-week period.  It’s important to note that symptoms were self-reported but they found that after 8 weeks participants reported relief from digestive issues and lower anxiety levels!  Gut microbiota was also measured throughout the study, without significant change. 

So all that said, if you love Asian cuisine, turmeric – on its own or in a curry blend – is the perfect spice to enhance meals and smoothies but when eaten as part of the diet very little actually gets to the bloodstream so a therapeutic dose would be necessary to get results mentioned in this study.  Before starting any new supplements, we recommend speaking with your doctor. 

If you’ve never tried turmeric, or curry just isn’t your thing, our Pineapple Turmeric Smoothie is a great way to try it for the first time! 

Published September 1, 2021