While no spice is the ultimate magic cure for everyone when it comes to bloating, many people find turmeric can provide relief when experiencing indigestion. Turmeric, a flowering plant, Curcuma longa, of the ginger family, is a versatile spice that can add flavor to practically everything— including other anti-bloating foods like roasted veggies, rice, soups, etc. and drinks like tea or coffee. We checked in with digestive health, functional medicine, natural remedies and supplement expert Dr. M. Kara, creator of KaraMD, and registered dietitian Michelle Hawksworth at Muscle and Brawn to learn more about how turmeric can reduce inflammation in the gut, which frequent bloating is a sign of.
So, How Does Turmeric Combat Inflammation?
Turmeric is an ancient spice that has been used for centuries in medicine, food, and other areas due to the health benefits of its active ingredient—curcumin, Kara explains. Inflammation, he notes is one of the "biggest culprits of chronic health issues as we approach mid-age and continue to age," he says. Experiencing frequent bloating could be signaling that you suffer from chronic inflammation. "One of the greatest benefits of turmeric is that it is a natural anti-inflammatory compound," he says, adding that in the short-term, inflammation is helpful for the body as it helps fight foreign pathogens that are meant to cause us harm.
"If left unchecked, chronic inflammation can lead to a number of issues such as aches and pains, weakened immune system, poor cognitive function, increased risk for heart disease, digestive issues, and more," Kara continues. "That’s why reducing inflammation through any method is extremely important, and one of the strongest natural remedies for reducing inflammation is turmeric." Whether you choose to add turmeric to foods, drinks or include a turmeric supplement in your routine, Kara says that doing so allows you to "take a holistic approach to your health as you age by targeting your health from multiple angles."
What Other Health Benefits Does Turmeric Provide?
While turmeric milks or other drinks might be trendy in 2022, the spice itself has a long history of being used in countless dishes and medicines for thousands of years. "Turmeric is a popular spice in Indian cuisine that can be found in grocery stores," Hawksworth says. "Not only is it something that's added to food, but it's also used as medicine for its numerous health benefits."
She adds that turmeric is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help build the immune system and fight against viral diseases. "It also improves memory, reduces joint pain, and lowers the risk of heart disease," she says. While turmeric certainly aids bodily inflammation and gut health, it can also do wonders for inflammation of the skin as well. "It's a spice that's also commonly used to reduce skin inflammation. This is why sometimes people will apply it directly onto the skin as a mask instead of taking it in supplement form," she says.
Overall, as Kara and Hawksworth point out, it's the curcumin in the turmeric that helps lessen the body's inflammation. "It's the compound that gives the spice its yellow color and also the source of its many healing properties," Hawksworth concludes. Ultimately, trying turmeric in your meals, beverages or in supplement form can help your digestive health and applying it as a mask can help with skin inflammation, so this spice and its many health benefits (even beyond bloating relief) is worth a shot this week!
