Turmeric more popular than ever, but what does science say?

Sales of turmeric supplements continue to rise. Manufacturers point to the active compound curcumin, which shows anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory research. Scientists, however, have reservations about these claims.

Absorption in the body

A well-known issue is that curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. Much of what is ingested leaves the body unused. Research is therefore focusing on forms that enhance absorption, such as with pepper extract.

Moreover, results from test tubes do not easily translate to real-world applications. Large, well-designed human studies are scarce. For healthy individuals, there is little evidence that a daily capsule has a measurable effect.

Turmeric as a spice in food is undisputedly tasty and safe. Those using it as a supplement are advised to keep expectations realistic and consult their pharmacist if they are taking medication.