13 Health Benefits of Turmeric Curcumin and Black Pepper

Last Updated on January 2, 2023 by Lori Geurin

When I started using curcumin, I was dealing with a debilitating disease, in constant pain, and barely functioning. I was also taking a lot of medications that had side effects. So you can imagine how desperate I was to find anything that would help me feel better. I read about the many health benefits of turmeric, curcumin, and black pepper and decided to give them a try. I’m so glad I did!

Not only did I find relief from the pain, but I was also able to wean myself off the medications I was taking. If you’re looking for a natural way to improve your health, you may consider adding turmeric, curcumin, and black pepper to your diet.

What Is Turmeric?

Turmeric is a spice belonging to the ginger family. It’s commonly used in Asian dishes, like curry. The vibrant yellow-orange color and zesty flavor make a delicious and healthy addition to various dishes.

Curcumin is a yellow chemical produced by the turmeric plant, and it’s loaded with antioxidants!

Studies show that turmeric is more effective than many prescription drugs. And, because turmeric is completely natural, it doesn’t have all the side effects.

As you can see so far, turmeric is one of the most impressive nutritional supplements available. So keep reading to learn what makes this spice so unique.

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13 Benefits of Turmeric Curcumin and Black Pepper

1. Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Most Western diseases involve ongoing inflammation in the body. These include:

• Cancer
• Metabolic disorders
• Alzheimer’s
• Heart disease

and others.

Amazingly, curcumin in turmeric has potent anti-inflammatory and medicinal properties. And, as mentioned earlier, it’s as powerful as some pharmaceuticals. But without the side effects.[*]

2. Can Help Prevent And Treat Cancer

Cancer is a terrible disease caused by the out-of-control growth of abnormal cells. Research shows that curcumin may help prevent and treat different types of cancer.[*]

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3. A Natural Painkiller

A European Journal of Pharmacology study shows that curcumin turns on the opioid systems in lab animals. This is our body’s natural pain-killing response.

4. May Reverse Depression Symptoms

In one study, curcumin was shown to be as effective as Prozac at treating patients with depression. (4) And, again, without the negative side effects.

Data also suggest that curcumin boosts the brain’s serotonin and dopamine levels.[**]

5. A Natural Treatment For Arthritis

Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain, inflammation, and joint stiffness.

In a study published in Phytotherapy Research in 2012, patients with rheumatoid arthritis were given curcumin. Curcumin was found to be more effective than an anti-inflammatory drug for treating their arthritis symptoms.[*]

6. May Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Over time it damages the brain, impacting the memory.

One hallmark of Alzheimer’s is the buildup of Amyloid plaques. Research shows curcumin can help get rid of these plaques.[*] This is promising!

7. Lowers Heart Disease Risk and Blood Pressure

Heart disease kills more people worldwide than any other disease.

Many things add to it. But curcumin may help reverse some of these processes.[*]

The endothelium is the lining of the blood vessels. It’s vital for supporting proper blood pressure and clotting. Studies show that curcumin can improve endothelial function. And this is vital to prevent heart disease.[*]

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8. A Powerful Antioxidant

Antioxidants protect your body from damage caused by free radicals. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant that can counteract free radicals.

Curcumin can also activate the body’s antioxidant-producing enzymes.[*]

9. Lower Blood Sugar And Reverse Diabetes

Biochemistry and Biophysical Research Communications published a study in 2009 out of Auburn University. They found that turmeric curcumin can help reverse Type 2 Diabetes and lower blood sugar.

Also, the study saw that curcumin is 200 times more potent than Metformin (a leading diabetes medication) at initiating AMPK, improving insulin sensitivity.[*] Amazing!

Related: 6 Natural Ways To Prevent Diabetes

10. Can Help Heal The Gut

Curcumin can promote gut health. Over time, prescription drugs can damage the stomach flora and intestinal lining. As a result, this can cause gastrointestinal issues.

All the studies evaluating curcumin’s ability to manage inflammatory bowel disease were reviewed. It was found that many patients dramatically improved by taking curcumin. So much so that they could stop taking the prescription steroids they’d been using before.{*]

11. Regulates Cholesterol

A 2008 study published in the journal Drugs in R & D found that curcumin was more effective or effective at treating high cholesterol symptoms than Lipitor.[*]

Impressive, right?! Plus, Lipitor has been in the news with tons of controversy about consumer safety.

12. Reduces Risk Of Childhood Leukemia

Children under 5 are more susceptible to leukemia. However, in Asian countries, there is a lower rate of leukemia, likely related to diet. For example, curry is a popular dish there, and curry contains turmeric.

Research shows that consuming turmeric may reduce childhood leukemia.[*]

13. It May Increase Longevity

Because turmeric is rich in antioxidants and helps prevent and reverse many serious diseases, it may add years to your life.

Turmeric and curcumin are great choices if you’re looking for an anti-aging supplement. So read on for information about how to benefit from this amazing spice.

Related: 10 Habits To Help You Live Longer And Boost Longevity

What do turmeric and black pepper do?

Pepper contains a compound called piperine that has several beneficial effects and is high in antioxidants. Piperine enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2,000%.

This makes it more available to be used by your body.

What are the negative side effects of curcumin and turmeric?

Though it’s generally safe to take curcumin, some people may experience side effects, including:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Skin rashes

Simply follow the recommended dosage on your turmeric and black pepper supplement package to help prevent any side effects.

The recommended daily intake is 1.4 mg of curcumin (or 3 mg/kg) per pound of body weight.

How To Use Turmeric For Health

1. Add turmeric powder to your food. Popular in curry dishes, it’s also a great way to spice up soups, eggs, meat, and veggie dishes.
2. Take a turmeric supplement. Choose one with pepper, which contains piperine. Piperine improves the absorption of turmeric – by as much as 2000%. Here’s a turmeric supplement with piperine that I love using.
3. Drink turmeric tea, turmeric milk, or golden milk. Here’s a simple recipe, courtesy of realsimple.com:

  Replace the water with coconut or almond milk if you prefer, and modify according to taste, adding spices such as cinnamon, ginger, or cayenne, and natural sweeteners.

• 1-2 cups of boiling water
• Add 1-2 teaspoons of ground or freshly grated turmeric (preferably USDA certified organic to avoid contaminants and pesticides) to the boiling water. If too strong, use less turmeric. Simmer for about 10 minutes along with any additional spices. If using freshly grated turmeric, simmer for a few minutes longer.
• Strain the tea into a cup and add lemon, milk, or honey to taste.

How long does it take turmeric and pepper to work?

Turmeric and pepper work together synergistically to provide impressive benefits.

When combined, they create a more potent health supplement than alone.

You’ll start seeing the benefits of turmeric and black pepper within a few days to a week. However, it may take longer to experience the full range of benefits.

How much turmeric and black pepper should you take?

The amount of turmeric and pepper you should take depends on a few factors, such as your health goals and your body’s reaction to the spices.

Generally, it’s best to start with lower doses and increase gradually as needed.

If you’re taking turmeric curcumin for the first time, start with 1.4 mg per pound of body weight. You can adjust the dosage until you reach the desired health and wellness benefits.

What are the side effects of turmeric and black pepper?

When you combine turmeric and black pepper, they are generally well-tolerated and have few side effects. The most common side effects are nausea and an upset stomach. If you experience these side effects, try taking the supplements with food or reducing the dosage.

Final Thoughts About the Health Benefits of Turmeric Curcumin and Black Pepper

To wrap up, the benefits of turmeric and curcumin, and black pepper are impressive. As you’ve seen, they include:

• Reversing diabetes and depression
• Preventing Alzheimer’s, cancer, and childhood Leukemia
• Managing cholesterol and pain
• And more

Turmeric is easy to take as a supplement. You can also use it to flavor your food or beverages. Here’s a recipe you may enjoy for a 24K Gold Vanilla Turmeric Latte. Yum!

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about these turmeric benefits because it really is an awesome spice!

How do you use turmeric curcumin? Share below!

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