A Question of Chemistry: can turmeric lower cholesterol？

Do you have turmeric right in your kitchen? Have you ever used turmeric in your daily meal? Scientists think that turmeric may be related to cholesterol. You may wonder if can turmeric lower cholesterol and what are its benefits. Let’s learn together.

What is turmeric？

Turmeric is a yellow-color power, always seen in Eastern Asian or Middle Eastern cuisine and used for food coloring and seasoning. It belongs to the ginger family and has been used as medicine in China for centuries.

Indeed, curcumin, a major ingredient, plays a significant role in turmeric’s treasure. Due to its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin is commonly used to treat inflammation, infections, and various gastrointestinal ailments.

TO BE CAREFUL: Do not get it on your clothes! Or, you will get into trouble.

Benefits of turmeric

Whether you believe it or not, the little kitchen thing does more than a flavor. The following are some possible benefits of taking turmeric:

First, can turmeric lower cholesterol? The answer is YES. Findings of studies conducted on animals show turmeric has a consistent effect on lowering cholesterol. However, in terms of its dosage and effect on humans, it still requires investigation. In a few studies conducted on humans, turmeric slightly lowered the cholesterol level, not a massive cut-down. Besides, a review of controlled trials also verified it. According to a published study, turmeric extract is a crucial step in the development of heart disease and atherosclerosis by reducing cholesterol levels in the blood. Actually, it is found the reason why curcumin can lower cholesterol is that it increases fecal excretion of bile acids and cholesterol.

Second, turmeric may reduce infections or inflammation in humans which needs more evidence. In a study, patients with ulcerative colitis were more likely to stay in remission after taking 2 grams of curcumin a day. Do not take it during an active flare-up, because it won’t really help.

Third, turmeric may lower the risk of heart disease as it helps reduce inflammation and oxidation. A study found that a 65% decreased risk of having a heart attack in the hospital is seen in patients who took 4 grams of curcumin a day.

Fourth, a clinical trial proves that turmeric can work on the improvement of memory performance. Having antioxidant properties, turmeric is conducive to preventing the development of Alzheimer’s disease, which, however, needs more research.

Fifth, ongoing research, which aims to investigate how turmeric affects certain kinds of cancer, has shown that it can protect rats from exposure to colon, stomach, and skin cancers. However, the results need more evidence to prove.

Sixth, in both Chinese traditional medicine and Ayurveda, turmeric is used for reducing pain from osteoarthritis, which is still under investigation.

Possible side effects

The coin has two sides. Though turmeric has a range of possible benefits, it still should be blamed for leading to stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea. However, it is proven that it has no significant side effects. Besides, it can cause blood sugar reduction and being unable to absorb iron. What’s more, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are forbidden to take it.

Tips on taking turmeric

If your recipe requires fresh turmeric, go to the nearest market and pick the whole root. Even if some recipes need ground turmeric, you still can find it in the spice aisle.

If you, considering all the above benefits, think about taking in a high level of turmeric, please consult your healthcare provider first. High amounts of this spice may be responsible for the aggravation of certain medical conditions, including diabetes, kidney stones, certain gastrointestinal conditions, and bleeding disorders.

Conclusion

In the end, this article has discussed whether can turmeric lower cholesterol, and we know that the answer is YES. The cholesterol-lowering effect of turmeric is a result of increased fecal excretion of bile acids and cholesterol. In addition, we’ve learned the definition, benefits, and side effects of turmeric. As a daily spice in the kitchen, turmeric, is truly a treasure with so many benefits, though most of the benefits are under research. Despite all the benefits we have mentioned above, we still need to take it reasonably. Pay attention not to have high levels of turmeric and do not take it when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.