This stress-fighting spice is brimming with health benefits!
Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali.
Managing stress is crucial for both our mental and physical health.
Photo:Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali. EatingWell design.
But its not always easy.
Were talking aboutturmeric, the rich, golden spice that gives curry powder its fiery orange hue.
One of those benefits is stress relief.
This vibrant spice gets its stress-reducing abilities from a compound called curcumin.
If youve never heard of curcumin before, its powerful stuff, especially where brain health is concerned.
Luckily, turmerics curcumin has shown promise in combating inflammation and depression.
Turmeric is so potent, in fact, that weve crowned it ourNo.
1 spice to reduce inflammation!
Miranda Galati, M.H.Sc., RD, a registered dietitian and founder of Real Life Nutritionist, agrees.
Inflammation and oxidative stress can worsen mood and increase your risk of developing depression or anxiety, she says.
However, its not a cure-all.
Even though research is promising, further study is needed to fully understand turmerics effects on mood.
Its important to tackle stress from several angles to see real improvements.
The Bottom Line
Turmeric is more than just a flavorful spice.
Thanks to its active compound, curcumin, it may be a powerful asset in managing stress.
Turmerics curcumin has also been shown to help combat inflammation, regulate mood and support brain health.
Jin TR.Curcumin and dietary polyphenol research: beyond drug discovery.Acta Pharmacol Sin.
2020;60(15):2643-2653. doi:10.1080/10408398.2019.1653260.
2023;37(4):1462-1487. doi:10.1002/ptr.7737
