What is Curcumin? Benefits, uses
and more

You may have heard about curcumin and wondered what it is and why people are talking about it. We're going to share with you what curcumin is, where it comes from, what the difference is between curcumin and turmeric and curcumin’s many benefits when it comes to your health.

Is Curcumin the same as turmeric?

You may have noticed that people use turmeric and curcumin interchangeably, but there is a key difference. When it comes to turmeric, you're talking about the plant and roots which are used when you're cooking, and it is used in some herbal drinks.

Curcumin, on the other hand, is a compound that is found in the plant's roots and is a known strong antioxidant. Within the plant, there are two other compounds; together, the three compounds are known as curcuminoids.

What is Curcumin, and what is it used for?

Curcumin is a yellow pigment and is a turmeric extract, you may recognise this as a spice used in curry, but it is actually a flowering plant first. Curcumin is actually part of the plant's roots and is a compound (more on that later). It can be extracted and put into supplements because of its known health benefits.

According to various research, it has been suggested that curcumin can help with many conditions such as mild symptoms of osteoarthritis, post-workout joint pain and fatigue.

Outside of medicine, curcumin has been used for many different things, such as within curries, in tea, as a colourant, in a range of food sauces, energy drinks, soaps, cosmetics and more.

Young sick woman lying on couch with blanket reading thermometer

Where does Curcumin come from?

Originally, curcumin can be traced back to India for its use in medicine. The plant it is found in Turmeric and has been used as a powder in Asian culture for more than 2,000 years. The plant is native to South Asia due to the tropical climate that is needed for it to grow.

What are some of the benefits of Curcumin?

There are a number of health benefits that have been found in curcumin. These include:

Working as a natural anti-inflammatory compound

Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties. There are a number of illnesses that cause inflammation, and as a bioactive substance, curcumin has been shown to fight inflammation.

What are the benefits of turmeric?

Like curcumin, turmeric also has a range of noted benefits. While traditionally, it was used in India for a number of disorders and problems with joints. Today, however, it is recommended that it is taken as a dietary supplement. It has been noted that turmeric is good for a range of conditions including, but not limited to mild symptoms of mild osteoarthritis.