Turmeric has long been used in traditional medicine to cure a variety of illnesses ranging from indigestion to depression, in addition to being a mainstay of Asian cuisine. More recently, the spice has been linked to the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to research.
This article will examine the data supporting the idea that turmeric can alleviate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as well as how it may be used and whether or not there are any side effects.
Definition
Turmeric has traditionally been used to cure a variety of ailments, including colds, digestive issues, and infections. Curcumin, an anti-inflammatory component found in turmeric, is responsible for some of the plant’s possible medicinal qualities.
Turmeric has recently gotten a lot of attention because of its potential to alleviate symptoms of IBS. Stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and constipation are all symptoms of IBS, which is a prevalent digestive system illness that affects millions of people worldwide.
The exact aetiology of IBS is unknown, and there are presently no approved treatments for the condition. Symptoms of IBS are often handled with medication as well as dietary modifications, which are common in the treatment of the condition.
A simple step towards controlling IBS symptoms is to include turmeric as part of a nutritious diet-based strategy.
Is it effective?
In one study, researchers discovered that curcumin had a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal function of rats. The study’s authors speculated that their findings might have ramifications for the use of curcumin in the treatment of IBS symptoms in the future. More human research, on the other hand, are required before this can be proven definitively.
Participants in a pilot trial done in 2004 who took 2 tablets of turmeric every day for 8 weeks reported less stomach discomfort and improved bowel movement patterns than those who did not take turmeric.
There was no control group in this study, and the authors concluded that more research was needed to rule out the placebo effect and other variables from the study’s findings.
Several additional digestive illnesses, including ulcerative colitis, a chronic ailment characterised by diarrhoea and abdominal pain, have been linked to turmeric’s health advantages in recent years.
Curcumin supplementation, according to a 2015 study, had a favourable effect on the symptoms of ulcerative colitis when added to the standard therapy regimen.
There have been some encouraging findings about the use of turmeric in the treatment of IBS symptoms, and these findings suggest that similar effects may be applicable to other digestive problems as well. More research, however, is needed to evaluate whether or not turmeric can provide real benefits in the treatment of IBS.
Side effects
Curcumin is believed to be safe to take for the majority of people when used for a short period of time.
High doses of this medication may result in an increase in gastrointestinal symptoms. It is better to take the supplements according to the manufacturer’s instructions and to use the lowest dose possible. In order to evaluate the toxicity associated with long-term use, additional research is required.
Including turmeric in your diet may also help to alleviate IBS symptoms, albeit there are certain adverse effects associated with regular turmeric use, such as the following:
- abdominal pain
- digestive problems
- nausea
- blood-thinning
Due to the fact that it is presently unclear if curcumin supplements are safe for pregnant women, it is crucial for these women to consult with their doctors before beginning any supplement regimen.
Turmeric should also be avoided by people with diabetes because it has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels. It may also interfere with some medications, such as blood thinners and diabetes medications, so people should consult with their doctor before taking curcumin supplements to avoid complications.
Because supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, the safety and content of turmeric products cannot be assured.
How to make use of turmeric
Turmeric is widely used to flavour a variety of dishes, ranging from hearty curries and soups to sweet cakes and smoothies. It is available in two forms: as a powder or as a dried root. Taking supplements containing curcumin, which are typically available in health food stores, is another an option to consider.
The supplements, as opposed to turmeric in other forms, contain highly concentrated quantities of curcumin; therefore, consumers should carefully read the label to determine how much curcumin is safe to eat.
Conclusion
Turmeric has showed promise in preliminary research for its potential to alleviate some of the symptoms of IBS. Including turmeric or curcumin pills as part of a healthy diet would, in the vast majority of situations, not offer any health risks to persons who suffer from IBS.
It is yet unclear whether turmeric offers any real benefits for IBS symptoms, and more research in this area is required.
Sources
- Bundy, R., Walker, A. F., Middleton, R. W., & Booth, J. (2004). Turmeric extract may improve irritable bowel syndrome symptomology in otherwise healthy adults: A pilot study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 10(6), 1015–1018
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e5ca/b117fca40a6718406aef18eb82c64d5db032.pdf - Turmeric for IBS: Does it work? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320643
- Gupta, S. C., Patchva, S., & Aggarwal, B. B. (2013, January). Therapeutic roles of curcumin: Lessons learned from clinical trials. The AAPS Journal, 15(1), 195–218
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3535097/ - Hewlings, S. J., & Kalman, D. S. (2017, October 22). Curcumin: A Review of Its’ Effects on Human Health. Foods, 6(10), 92
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664031/ - Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). (2017, October 9)
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/diet-lifestyle-and-medicines/ - Kumar, A., Purwar, B., Shrivastava, A., & Pandey, S. (2010). Effects of curcumin on the intestinal motility of albino rats. Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 54(3), 284–288
http://imsear.li.mahidol.ac.th/bitstream/123456789/145985/1/ijpp2010v54n3p284.pdf - Lang, A., Salomon, N., Wu, J. C. Y., Kopylov, U., Lahat, A., Har-Noy, O., … Ben-Horin, S. (2015, August). Curcumin in combination with mesalamine induces remission in patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis in a randomized controlled trial. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 13(8), 1444–1449.e1
http://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(15)00158-5/fulltext - Ulcerative colitis. (2016, March 17)
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ulcerative-colitis/
