September 12, 2023 – Turmeric, a yellowish spice that some people use to alleviate the inflammation of osteoarthritis, could have one other use: treating digestive disorders.
In a study published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine150 individuals with dyspepsia, also generally known as indigestion, took the drug omeprazole, curcumin or a mixture of each.
After 28 and 56 days, study participants answered questionnaires in regards to the severity of their digestive problems. There were no significant differences in symptoms between the groups taking omeprazole, curcumin or a mixture of the 2, based on the study.
Turmeric accommodates the biologically energetic ingredient curcumin. Omeprazole is used to treat stomach and esophageal problems reminiscent of acid reflux disorder and ulcers.
“In addition to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, curcumin/turmeric may be an option for treating dyspepsia with comparable efficacy to omeprazole,” said lead study creator Krit Pongpirul, MD, associate professor within the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, based on CNN.
In Southeast Asia, turmeric has been used for hundreds of years to treat digestive problems. In addition to treating inflammation, turmeric can be sometimes utilized in the United States to treat depression, type 2 diabetes, viral infections, premenstrual syndrome, high cholesterol, Alzheimer's disease, and other conditions. However, for many of those uses, there is no such thing as a good scientific evidence supporting turmeric's effectiveness.
People considering taking turmeric should seek the advice of their doctor to ensure there are not any interactions with another medications you could be taking.
“Consumers should be aware of the side effects of curcumin extracts such as allergies and risk of bleeding, especially if they are taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications,” Pongpirul told CNN.