Turmeric News and Research

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Turmeric, a shrub related to ginger, is grown throughout India, other parts of Asia, and Africa. Known for its warm, bitter taste and golden color, turmeric is commonly used in fabric dyes and foods such as curry powders, mustards, and cheeses.

In traditional Chinese medicine turmeric has been used to aid digestion and liver function, relieve arthritis pain, and regulate menstruation. Turmeric has also been applied directly to the skin for eczema and wound healing. Today, turmeric is used for conditions such as heartburn, stomach ulcers, and gallstones. It is also used to reduce inflammation, as well as to prevent and treat cancer.

Nigerian COVID-19 response highlights cultural trust in ethnopharmacology

During COVID-19, ethnopharmacology became prominent in Nigeria due to affordability, accessibility, and cultural trust, but evidence for safety and efficacy remains limited.

25 Aug 2026

US adults are taking more supplements as multivitamins lose ground

A 25-year NHANES analysis of 63,442 US adults found that reported dietary supplement use rose from 51% to 60%, with the largest increases among adults aged 65 years and older. Use shifted away from multivitamin-multimineral products and toward vitamins, minerals, botanicals, and nonvitamin nonmineral supplements marketed for immune, anti-inflammatory, gut, skin, and joint health.

16 Jun 2026

How common spices may improve gut, brain, and metabolic health

The health effects of spices are explored, revealing their potential to influence blood sugar, inflammation, and brain function through various mechanisms.

28 May 2026

How do everyday spices help protect the heart?

A Nutrition Reviews supplement article reviewed controlled studies showing that culinary spice and herb blends may improve selected cardiometabolic risk markers, including post-meal triglycerides, insulin responses, inflammation, endothelial function, and 24-hour blood pressure. The review also highlighted exploratory evidence that spices and herbs may influence immune-cell activity, circulating phytochemical metabolites, and gut bacterial composition, while emphasizing the need for longer and more diverse studies.

27 May 2026

Indian adapted Mediterranean diet targets inflammation in heart disease trial

The paper describes a single-center randomized controlled trial testing whether an Indian Adapted Mediterranean Diet can reduce dietary inflammation in adults with stable coronary artery disease or moderate-to-high cardiovascular risk. The protocol will assess changes in the Dietary Inflammatory Index, inflammatory biomarkers, cardiometabolic risk factors, body measurements, and metabolic hormones over six months.

25 May 2026

Can supplements slow Parkinson’s disease? Review reveals where the evidence stands

Dietary supplements are widely used by people with Parkinson’s disease, but this review finds that none have yet been proven to slow disease progression. Biotics, nicotinamide riboside, and omega-3 fatty acids combined with vitamin E show the most promise, but larger, longer, and better-designed trials are needed.

14 May 2026

New combination therapy shows safer approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease

A new study finds that combining the current medications for Alzheimer's disease with small molecules derived from micronutrients found in grapes, berries, peanuts and turmeric is a safer and more effective way to treat the disease.

9 Apr 2026

WSU researchers use spice extracts to enhance medical bone implants

An extract of turmeric and ginger helps bone implants bond strongly while killing bacteria and cancer cells, according to new research from Washington State University with implications for millions of patients with joint replacements and bone cancer.

7 Apr 2026

Where you live affects your weight more than you think

Findings reveal a strong link between location and Body Mass Index, emphasizing the need for policies addressing food environments and health disparities.

4 Dec 2025

Inconsistent labels and risky doses found in turmeric supplements worldwide

A global analysis of 125 turmeric supplements across five major markets revealed widespread inconsistencies in labeling, dosage, and regulatory compliance. Over a third lacked curcuminoid content disclosure, and nearly one-third exceeded safe intake levels, exposing consumers to unverified and potentially risky formulations.

3 Nov 2025

Can roselle help fight inflammation? New review suggests strong potential

A new review highlights the anti-inflammatory potential of Hibiscus sabdariffa (roselle), synthesizing evidence from 25 studies published between 2019 and 2024. Most findings are from preclinical models, but they point to promising roles in cardiovascular, metabolic, neuroprotective, and anticancer health.

28 Sep 2025

Can turmeric/curcumin help with weight control in diabetes?

Curcumin/turmeric supplements modestly reduced body weight, waist size, fat mass, and hip circumference in people with type 2 diabetes. Benefits were also seen in prediabetic individuals, especially with longer use and high-absorption formulations.

18 Aug 2025

Polyphenols and exercise show promise in fighting gliomas

A new review in Food Science & Nutrition highlights how combining dietary polyphenols with structured exercise can enhance brain function, regulate epigenetics, and support glioma management. The authors outline mechanisms, patient-centered strategies, and research gaps for turning this synergy into clinical practice.

12 Aug 2025

Natural compounds from turmeric and rhubarb show promise against superbugs in wastewater

When we're taking antibiotics, some of the dose is excreted with urine and feces and ends up in our wastewater. The presence of this low dose of antibiotic creates an opportunity for resistant bacteria to evolve.

10 Jul 2025

Eating garlic, berries, and tea may support younger, healthier cells

Higher intake of methyl adaptogen foods, such as turmeric, green tea, and berries, was associated with reduced epigenetic age in middle-aged men, according to a secondary analysis of the MDLS trial. These findings support the potential role of specific dietary polyphenols in modulating biological aging, though further research in larger and more diverse populations is needed.

21 May 2025