In fact, turmeric is one of the most studied natural compounds in existence with thousands of peer-reviewed research papers published on it and a rich history of use in both food and natural remedies — dating back thousands of years. 

We’ll start with the first and most important distinction — what exactly is curcumin and how does it differ from turmeric?

What is Curcumin? How Does it Differ From Turmeric?

Since they come from the same spice, it’s easy to see why people confuse these two compounds.

But they are not the same. Turmeric is the popular spice used in curries and trendy lattes. Curcumin is the main active ingredient found inside it.

And curcumin is actually where all the notable health benefits come from.

Think of it this way: caffeine is to coffee as curcumin is turmeric.

In other words, one of the main reasons people love coffee is the jolt it gives them. But the jolt doesn’t come from the coffee, it actually comes from the caffeine inside it.

The same is true of turmeric. The support it provides for healthy inflammation response, cognition, and more comes from the active ingredients in curcumin. 

So that’s an easy way of remembering the differences. And for practical purposes they are one in the same. 

So why would someone want to consume curcumin?

Let’s talk about the benefits of this natural ingredient for your health

What Are The Benefits of Curcumin and Turmeric?

Turmeric is one of the most highly researched natural compounds in the world.

Currently there are over 12,000 peer-reviewed articles showing its potential benefits to your health!

One of the number one and most commonly cited benefits is its impact on inflammation. 

So how is it able to provide this support?
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that make it great for joint health and supporting people through digestive challenges. 

Another well-studied potential benefit of turmeric is the cognitive support it can provide.

There are a number of peer-reviewed studies that have found increased turmeric consumption can lead to support for healthy levels of communication between nerve cells. 

And this is important to brain health and as people age. 

Finally, another big area where curcumin and turmeric may offer support is skin health.

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it can be used for a variety of skin challenges. 

You can put it in creams and apply it directly to your skin or take it orally. 

So what’s the final verdict on curcumin?

So the next time you see a trendy turmeric latte, don’t just look it over as a fad. Know that turmeric is an incredibly powerful compound with loads of potential benefits. 

It’s one of the most studied natural compounds in existence.

It has thousands of peer-reviewed research papers looking at its potential benefits and it has a rich history of use in both food and natural remedies — dating back thousands of years.