A new study has shown that curcumin may help with cold and flu symptoms. The findings come from researchers at the University of California Davis, who presented their results at the American College of Nutrition’s Annual Meeting in Orlando on March 12, 2021. Combined with zinc lozenges, the compound has been shown to reduce symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and sore throat within 24 hours. “Curcumin may help with the symptoms of colds and flu because it can be used to treat inflammation,” said Dr. Wendy Haying Dai in a statement issued by UC Davis Health System. “Inflammation is known as one of the triggers for these conditions,” she added.

Curcumin for Cold & Flu

The turmeric plant belongs to the ginger clan. It is a significant and highly potent crop used for thousands of years to treat distinct illnesses. Curcumin is an antioxidant from turmeric root extract, which gives curry powder its bright yellow color. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it sound like an alternative treatment for everything from arthritis pain relief to lowering cholesterol levels.

Increases your immunity against cold & flu naturally.

It might be the most powerful nutritional supplement, with several proven anti-viral health benefits behind its name. Curcumin, the active element in turmeric, has spectacular anti-inflammatory effects and is a powerful Antioxidant. Curcumin can potentially reduce inflammation related to exaggerated coughing and sneezing while supplementing its antioxidant capacity to boost your immune system capacity.

Let’s see what Research & Study Say:

Some research also reveals that curcumin has protective effects on the body’s antioxidant level and helps cleanse and detoxify the body. Researchers have also discovered that fresh turmeric may benefit those suffering from cold and flu symptoms. According to a small-scale study, curcumin may help with the symptoms of colds and flu.

The study, published in the journal Medical Science Monitor, found that studying mice treated with curcumin. Those mice improved their symptoms quicker than those who weren’t given it. They also experienced less inflammation and mucus buildup—typical symptoms of colds and flu—and fewer signs of viral infection (viral infections can cause various upper respiratory tract illnesses).

But before you start loading up on organic turmeric powder, know that this isn’t precisely like popping an Advil to help you get through your next bout of sickness: researchers say more studies need to be done on humans before they can definitively say whether curcumin is an effective treatment for colds and flu. Still, if you’re looking for ways to treat your sniffles naturally—and don’t mind putting up with some social awkwardness while fidgeting with your nose ring—this could be worth exploring!

Previous studies have shown that curcumin can help with various infections.

Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties that may help with pain, swelling, and fever associated with various infections. Curcumin is effective against infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The substance can also help with skin and mouth infections as well as sore throat. Curcumin works by blocking COX-2 and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes. These enzymes make chemicals that cause the inflammation associated with many diseases, including cancer, arthritis, and heart disease.

How can curcumin help treat cold & flu symptoms?

Researchers have suggested that curcumin benefits people with colds and flu because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Infections, allergies, autoimmune diseases, or other factors can cause inflammation. If you’ve ever had a bout of the sniffles accompanied by a stuffy nose and painful sinuses, you know just how uncomfortable that kind of inflammation can be.

There’s evidence that curcumin may help alleviate those symptoms partly because it inhibits COX-2 enzymes—the same ones responsible for producing inflammatory prostaglandins. Curcumin also seems to inhibit NF-kappaB proteins (involved in regulating genes that trigger inflammation), at least partially through inhibiting IKK activity (a component of the inflammatory cascade).

Curcumin is a natural anti-inflammatory that can help reduce swelling, pain, and fever associated with colds and flu. In addition to being an antioxidant, it retains the ability to boost the immune system.

So does curcumin work?

A limited number of studies have looked at this question, but the results are promising. One study found that taking 1 gram daily for three months reduced symptoms in people with chronic rhino sinusitis (a condition affecting the sinuses). Another study showed that curcumin has anti-infective properties when combined with zinc and vitamin C, reducing upper respiratory tract infections in healthy adults who were exposed to a virus that causes common colds. Although scientists need more research on humans before they know how well curcumin works against the flu, some experts say that it seems safe enough to use during colds or flu season as long as you don’t exceed recommended doses—and always talk to your doctor before trying any new supplement or medication.

How to Take Turmeric for a Cold & Flu:

The curcumin content of turmeric isn’t that much at all in it. It’s around 3{34cea586b088e0fd38e818617229a3e2b6cc2afe33580d7d159a9fdadf46af5c} by weight. Also, curcumin has inadequate bioavailability, which means it is poorly absorbed into your bloodstream. Researchers and nutritionists highly recommend consuming it with black pepper, which contains piperine. Piperine is a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2,000{34cea586b088e0fd38e818617229a3e2b6cc2afe33580d7d159a9fdadf46af5c}. We’d recommend Turmeric curcumin supplements incorporating one of our as part of your daily routine! They contain black pepper to ensure curcumin’s absorption in your bloodstream.

KEY TAKEAWAY

In conclusion, curcumin benefits people with infectious diseases such as the common cold or flu. It can help with symptoms like pain, fever, and inflammation. However, more research can confirm its efficacy before doctors recommend this supplement to treat these illnesses.

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REFERENCES

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Dhar S, Bhattacharjee P. Promising role of curcumin against viral diseases emphasizing COVID-19 management: A review on the mechanistic insights with reference to host-pathogen interaction and immunomodulation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8057770/ J Funct Foods. 2021 Jul;82:104503. doi: 10.1016/j.jff.2021.104503. Epub 2021 Apr 20. PMID: 33897833; PMCID: PMC8057770.

Kim M, Choi H, Kim S, Kang LW, Kim YB. Elucidating the Effects of Curcumin against Influenza Using In Silico and In Vitro Approaches. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34577580/ 2021 Aug 30;14(9):880. doi: 10.3390/ph14090880. PMID: 34577580; PMCID: PMC8465221.

Jurenka JS. Anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, a major constituent of Curcuma longa: a review of preclinical and clinical research. Altern Med Rev. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19594223/ 2009 Jun;14(2):141-53. Erratum in: Altern Med Rev. 2009 Sep;14(3):277. PMID: 19594223.