Is Turmeric Good for Colds? Examining the Studies
Turmeric is said to give a fantastic natural boost to your body and mind. This spice – a member of the ginger family – originates in tropical parts of the world, notably India and other parts of Asia. Aside from packing a powerful, pungent punch, it’s renowned for its brilliant color and anti-inflammatory abilities.
As such, turmeric has been a staple of curries and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. But did you know that turmeric is possibly good for colds, as well?
That’s right! Ever since turmeric has gone mainstream in western cooking and natural medicine, research has found that turmeric has many powerful antioxidant superpowers. And, as research has progressed, evidence suggests that antioxidants may possess unique cold-fighting properties. By extension, then, turmeric may be able to stave off the symptoms of a cold. 1
Antioxidants and Colds
While the research is early, some clinical studies suggest that antioxidants may have a hand in easing common cold symptoms.
For instance, antioxidants pick up the “free radicals” – highly reactive molecules – that float around your body. This prevents the free radicals from damaging the immune cells that fight the common cold. For instance, excess amounts of free radicals are known to put “oxidative stress” on your body, notably by way of damaging your DNA or cell membranes. By snapping up these molecules, antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress – and prevent future cell damage. 1 2
Furthermore, many antioxidant-rich foods are also jam-packed with healthful vitamins and minerals. The combination of antioxidants and vitamins, such as vitamin C and beta-carotene, may also help stave off a cold. 1 2
In particular, vitamin C (which is both a vitamin and an antioxidant) has been shown in clinical studies to have powerful antioxidant properties that snap up oxidizing compounds. By removing antioxidants from the environment – in this case, your bloodstream – vitamin C can help decrease inflammatory effects. Simultaneously, and in the same way, vitamin C can reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms. 3 4
So Is Turmeric Good for Colds?
Now we come to our pivotal question: is turmeric good for colds?
It’s important first to note that turmeric is not just an anti-inflammatory agent – it’s also a powerful antioxidant, as well as an antimicrobial. (An antimicrobial fights microbes, such as the bacteria and viruses that cause the common cold symptoms.) This is due to curcumin, which is a molecule in turmeric that imparts many of its natural medical abilities. 5
We’ve seen above that antioxidants help fight colds by reducing oxidative stress and DNA damage. In this way, they are able to prevent colds, as well as ease symptoms when colds do occur. Thus, as a powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial, it follows that turmeric is likely good for colds. 1 2 5
However, this information has yet to be vetted in scientific circles. Most modern studies on turmeric focus on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. As such, while it appears that turmeric could be good for colds, more hard evidence is needed to back this (rather exciting!) claim.
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