Turmeric called the Golden Spice

 Turmeric and its components, including curcumin, have been the subject of scientific studies.

“Some research results show that people who have osteoarthritis reported less joint pain when eating turmeric in recipes,” Brown says. “Turmeric’s effect on mood disorders, depression and dementia have also been explored, but studies are small, so more research will reveal if there is a benefit.”

For instance, turmeric supplements may increase your risk of kidney stones, especially if this runs in your family. Curcumin supplements contain much higher concentrations of the compound than a person would consume by eating food flavored with the spice or by drinking turmeric tea.

With that in mind, incorporating the spice regularly into your meals can safely boost your intake. Combining the spice with black pepper may help increase your body’s ability to absorb turmeric’s beneficial compounds. A substance in black pepper called piperine, when combined with curcumin, has been shown to increase bioavailability by 2000%.

Turmeric is used as a natural coloring agent for some kinds of mustard, and it is an ingredient in curry powder. Brown says she enjoys the earthy flavor of turmeric on its own, and notes that it adds a depth of flavor and a pleasing color to Thai or other Asian dishes, as well as stews and chilis. “It’s great in chicken soup,” she notes.