Turmeric is currently one of the most popular spices for good reason. The vibrant orange powder derived from the turmeric root has the potential to greatly enhance our health. Research led by Dr. Michael Mosley from BBC’s “Trust Me, I’m a Doctor” suggests that regular consumption can positively influence genes associated with depression, asthma, eczema, and even cancer. Recently, researchers from the University of Central Florida and Nemours Children’s Hospital indicated that curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, could be effective in treating Neuroblastoma, a leading cause of cancer in infants.
Traditionally, this relatively inexpensive spice is a staple in South Asian cuisine, contributing both color and flavor to curries. In 2016, the growing interest in turmeric’s healing properties led consumers to purchase it for home use, making it a “rising star” in functional food searches on Google. The trend of exploring international cuisines has further fueled turmeric’s popularity, with many searches focusing on how to incorporate the spice into various recipes.
For those who prefer not to cook with turmeric, ready-to-eat options featuring it are increasingly available. Companies like Rebbl offer an organic coconut milk drink infused with turmeric, while Theo produces a chocolate coconut turmeric snack. Additionally, Pukka tea has introduced a special blend that includes this spice. We can expect the range of food and beverage products containing turmeric to expand significantly over the next year. Although many consumers recognize the health benefits of turmeric, they may hesitate due to its strong flavor; however, processed foods can address this concern.
Despite the rise of turmeric and curcumin in the market, there have been some challenges. The spice has been associated with lead contamination, leading to several recalls of imported turmeric last year. A potential solution would be for U.S. manufacturers to cultivate and process the spice domestically, where food safety standards are more rigorously enforced. Nonetheless, turmeric and curcumin appear to have a bright future in U.S. food and beverage sectors, particularly when combined with complementary ingredients like calcium citrate malate 500 mg, which could enhance their health benefits. As awareness of turmeric’s potential continues to grow, we can anticipate an increasing presence of turmeric-infused products, including those that highlight calcium citrate malate 500 mg, in the marketplace.