Curcumin Benefits and Uses
According to Grand View Research, the global curcumin market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.1% and reach USD 191.89 million by 2028. The impressive forecast reflects consumers’ growing interest in this herbal ingredient, which is rapidly claiming its stake in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. What makes curcumin’s success a true feel-good story is its connection to a range of health benefits, which appear to be driving much of the uptick in demand among an increasingly health-conscious population.
What is curcumin?
Curcumin is a bioactive compound which naturally occurs in the turmeric plant. It is a component of the turmeric spice, which is made by grinding up the plant’s dried roots, but it is also extracted for use in dietary supplements and a long list of other products.
What are the health benefits of curcumin?
Curcumin has been scientifically linked to a range of health benefits. For instance, its anti-inflammatory properties could help reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The same properties make it a powerful ally against obesity, which is further aided by curcumin’s ability to help regulate body fat. While people at risk of heart disease may benefit from this ingredient’s apparent role in reducing “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, diabetes patients may see the effects of the disease in their bodies lessened, thanks to curcumin’s potential to improve blood sugar metabolism.
There has been evidence to suggest curcumin may protect against liver damage by helping reduce oxidative stress, and other indicators hint at decreased activity of colon and other cancer cells. In addition, the bioactive compound has well-established antifungal and antibacterial effects, possibly even serving to support wound healing. Curcumin may also reduce osteoporosis risk, support eye, and kidney health, and help fight cognitive decline and Parkinson’s Disease.
How much curcumin is healthy?
As per the European Food Safety Authority, the Allowable Daily Intake (ADI) for curcumin is 3 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight, or approximately 1.4 mg per pound.
What are the best curcumin supplements?
Supplements containing curcumin come in many different forms, including pills (capsules, tablets, soft gels etc.), powders, and liquids. But when choosing a specific supplement, the amount of curcumin present should not be the only determining factor – nor even the primary one. The human body can struggle to absorb this potentially powerful ingredient because it dissolves in fat rather than a watery environment like the digestive system. Instead of breaking down and becoming bioavailable, curcumin thus runs the risk of passing right through the body and being excreted.
Consumers should pay close attention to manufacturers’ attempts at solving this problem. For instance, one innovative approach is to bind curcumin to natural substances called fenugreek galactomannans, which stick to the gut wall, travel more slowly through the GI tract, and release curcumin more gradually. One study found levels of free curcuminoids in the blood up to 45.5 times greater when utilizing this approach versus consumption of curcumin by itself.
Conclusion
With more and more people becoming increasingly health-conscious, curcumin seems destined to continue its triumphant march toward widespread recognition as an ingredient packed with potential health benefits. This holds vast opportunities in terms of not only consumer wellbeing but also business growth on the part of manufacturers. A key question is how the pressing concern of bioavailability will be addressed. Given the appropriate commitment to innovation, this up-and-coming ingredient has the potential to even outgrow today’s exciting projections.