Health benefits of curry

Curry powder

Blood Sugar Control

Turmeric, one of the main spices in curry powder, may lower your risk for diabetes, according to Colorado State University. A laboratory animal study published in the May 2011 issue of the journal "Food and Chemical Toxicology" found that turmeric's active compound, curcumin, prevented sharp spikes in blood sugar and improved insulin sensitivity in animals fed a high-fat diet. Researchers noted that curcumin showed similar effects to the diabetes drug rosiglitazone, and concluded the benefits of curcumin may be due, in part, to anti-inflammatory effects.

Anticancer Benefits

Consuming curry powder in your diet on a regular basis may provide cancer-preventive benefits, according to a study published in the October 2012 issue of the "Korean Journal of Urology." Curcumin has the ability to stop cancer in one of its earliest stages, called the DNA damage response, say researchers. Although curcumin shows promising anticancer benefits, because it is not water soluble, much of what you consume in curry powder is not absorbed, according to the University of North Texas. Researchers there are seeking a solution that will allow curcumin to be developed into a natural anticancer drug.

Cholesterol Management

Curry powder may help lower cholesterol and prevent cholesterol gallstones by virtue of one of its constituent spices, fenugreek, according to a study that appeared in the October 2011 issue of the "International Journal of Experimental Pathology." In the laboratory animal study, diets containing 12 percent fenugreek lowered cholesterol by up to 42 percent and reduced the occurrence of cholesterol gallstones by 75 percent. Fenugreek also reduced oxidation of lipids in the liver by up to 22 percent. Further studies will be needed to determine if these benefits extend to humans.

Detoxification

Curry powder that contains coriander may help remove toxic heavy metals, such as lead and mercury from the body, according to Kansas State University. A laboratory animal study published in the September 2010 issue of the journal "Biological Trace Element Research" found that daily consumption of coriander prevented some of the effects of poisoning, including low testosterone levels and low sperm count. Researchers noted that coriander protected against oxidative stress from lead exposure, and they called for further studies to identify the active component in corander responsible for the observed benefits.