Health gem

If you do one thing this week. . . . add a pinch of turmeric

Could a pinch of turmeric help you avoid pinching too much flab?

A recent paper in Nutrition Reviews weighed up the biological evidence for whether the spice could have a role in fighting obesity and its associated risks.

“Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric,” write the authors. “Evidence suggests curcumin may regulate lipid metabolism, which plays a central role in the development of obesity and its complications.”

They go on to list various animal studies that suggest curcumin can improve the fat profile in blood, support weight loss, promote healthy cardiovascular function and help reduce chronic inflammation.

If you are adding turmeric to curries or rice, try also adding a dash of pepper spice as it contains piperine, which helps your body absorb the curcumin.