Here’s a summary of the most intriguing recuperating properties of turmeric powder, a number of which have been demonstrated by experimental studies:

Turmeric’s Benefits for the Skin

Ayurvedic healers and other practitioners of traditional medicine have used both fresh and ground turmeric to treat some skin conditions, including acne and psoriasis. Also anecdotal reports suggest that eating turmeric and other foods that contain curcumin might offer benefits for acne and psoriasis sufferers. However, long-lasting, placebo-controlled studies are still needed to prove (or disprove) turmeric’s potential benefits for acne and psoriasis patients.

Anti-Cancer Effects

Turmeric may also be one of the best cancer fighting foods. Both in vitro and animal studies have shown curcumin to possess wide-ranging anti-cancer activity. For example, curcumin appears to be capable of identifying potential cancer cells and inducing self-destruction of such harmful cells (process known as “apoptosis”). Compounds in turmeric may also be able to inhibit nitrosamine formation and aflatoxin production – two processes that have been associated with an increased risk of several types of cancer.

Turmeric and Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease, characterized by cognitive decline and dementia, is the sixth leading cause of death in the US. The incidence of this neurodegenerative disease is much lower in India where turmeric root is commonly consumed in the form of curry. This observation let a team of scientists from Singapore to examine the relationship between curry consumption and cognitive function in elderly Asians. Their findings, published in the November 2006 edition of American Journal of Epidemiology, were interesting but not surprising: the study participants who ate curry “occasionally” and “often or very often” had significantly better MMSE scores (measures of cognitive function) than those who “never or rarely” ate curry.

Curcumin May Boost Eye Health

Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness in adults. Certain diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, can accelerate the development of cataracts in susceptible individuals, while certain nutrients and phytochemicals can help prevent the development of cataracts. A study published in the July 2005 edition of the journal Molecular Vision, for example, found that curcumin was capable of delaying the progression and maturation of cataracts in diabetic rats.