It has been proven time and time again that the food we eat has a huge impact on our health – and that includes our chance of developing serious diseases like cancer.
With food playing such a vital role in helping keep us fighting fit, it’s no surprise that one of the world’s greatest superfoods, Turmeric Curcumin, has been highlighted as having some potential cancer-fighting properties.
Containing the active ingredient curcumin, turmeric has been the subject of countless studies into the prevention and treatment of all kinds of cancer, including liver, breast, stomach and colon. In this blog post, we unveil the truth about turmeric curcumin and cancer.
Can turmeric help prevent cancer?
Turmeric’s multitude of health benefits are largely the result of curcumin – the extracted compound that’s responsible for the spice’s bright yellow colour. Packed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin has been rumoured to have anti-cancer benefits.
Studies suggest that curcumin could be effective in preventing cancer, with a phase I clinical study suggesting that the compound can stop precancerous changes developing into cancer.
While researchers are undecided about the exact reason behind curcumin’s anti-cancer properties, it’s believed its secret might lie in the high levels of polyphenols in the spice. As a type of antioxidant, polyphenol has been shown to help suppress tumour initiation and metastasis.
What’s the evidence?
- Research suggests that rates of certain types of cancer are lower in countries where people consume an average of 100 to 200mg of turmeric a day. In fact, cancer rates in India are lower than those found in almost all western countries.
- A 2013 international laboratory study examined the effect of using turmeric curcumin alongside chemotherapy. The results suggested that the combined treatment may be more successful than chemotherapy alone.
- A 2009 study into esophageal cancer found that curcumin began to kill cancer cells within 24 hours, suggesting the superfood could be effective in helping to treat cancer of the esophagus.
- A 2011 study conducted by researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center revealed that curcumin has the ability to effectively differentiate between cancer cells and normal cells while activating cancer cell death.
Turmeric for cancer prevention and treatment
It’s important to remember that turmeric is not a magic bullet for cancer. While studies have shown that it could offer a wide range of incredible benefits for diseases, more research needs to be carried out to determine exactly how the superfood works, and explore its full potential.
But as a safe, nutritious and tasty superfood, it’s well worth adding turmeric to your diet! Just make sure you choose pure and potent turmeric curcumin for the maximum benefit. Then how you use it is up to you. Turmeric is delicious in curries and soups, and can even be added to smoothies and lattes for a warming kick.
Read more about how to make the most of your turmeric curcumin here.
