Turmeric, Curcumin and Pepper

It’s been some time since I wrote a blog about this information but it has come to my attention in the past month that I should share this again.

When we had out spice and oil shop I did A LOT of research in my quiet shop hours.  Although that was a few years back there were some things that stuck in my head, Turmeric (Curcuma Longa and is part of the ginger family) is one of them.  There are a lot of things being said that are not far from the truth but do need some clarification.  SO – here is some information that I hope we can all absorb and keep in the back of our minds.  Turmeric essential oil, and the powder, is extracted, or ground, from the root or rhizome of the plant.  When spoken of it is usually the cooking spice that is being referred to.  It is a bright yellow color with a peppery and somewhat pitter taste and is a staple of Indian cooking.  The component that gives us the numerous health benefits is the compound curcumin.  Curcumin first isolated in 1815 did not have a full chemical structure mapped until 1910.  The research on this has since exploded and is showing very promising health benefits. This compound is only 2-5% of the turmeric.  When eating the turmeric spice, you only receive a tiny portion of the curcumin.  We humans have a difficult time absorbing curcumin.  Consumed on its own it just passes through the body without being absorbed into the blood stream thus not providing any health benefits.  If curcumin is taken with piperine, a compound found in black pepper, the piperine enables our body to absorb the curcumin, and at a much higher rate.

So why do we want to include turmeric in our bodies?  Recent studies have shown that curcumin “stops pain and inflammation, and is being investigated for inhibiting tumors, fighting cancer, preventing fat growth and accumulation, regulating blood sugar, stopping depression and slowing the effects of Alzheimer’s disease”.  http://www.curcuminforhealth.com/the-difference-between-turmeric-and-curcumin/

Why take the oil?  Herbs and spices only carry about 25% of the potency of the essential oil.  That being said “Buyer Beware”.  Turmeric is an oil that is easily adulterated, you can read more at  https://aromaticplant.org/blog/post?s=2018-10-10-turmeric-adulteration.  So know who and where to purchase your oils.

To summarize, black pepper is needed for its piperine to process curcumin, turmeric does not although that being said a little black pepper in your dish adds a little spice and will motivate your metabolism!