Is Turmeric And Curcumin The Same Thing?
- archieisabella
- Jul 27, 2021
- 2 min read

Both the spices coming from the same ginger family, and people are often confused between them. As these are bright yellow shades of compounds, there is only a minute difference in chemical composition in them. The medical and cooking properties of them both are almost the same.
Turmeric
It is a root, shaded yellow from the ginger taxonomy. Turmeric has a black-pepper like-flavour and a hint of mustard savour to it. They are used for centuries when it came to South Asia as a dye to colour the robes and clothes of Hindus, Buddhists and Monks.
In Medicine Fields
Later on, people came to use it for folk medicine. The healing properties of turmeric became popular in the continent. Passing on from generation to generation, it is one of those special roots with many purposes. Curcuma Longa is the main name of Turmeric Root. It is peeled, boiled and dried into a simple fine powder, which has warm and earthly properties for treatment and fasts healing.
Used as a Spice
Turmeric is used in South Asian dishes and cuisines as an original spice to add flavour, nutrition and colour to them. Indian recipes rely most on turmeric for genuine taste. It boosts the flavour and aroma of dishes and is still used by neighbouring countries.
Curcumin
Turmeric or Curcumin are almost the same because Curcumin is one of the turmeric compounds found in turmeric. They are also used in dyes, colouring, flavouring as a spice and for their herbal properties. Curcumin may be stronger than turmeric for reducing the excessive oxidative stress on the organs. It is anti-inflammatory, but as it is found from turmeric, both the spices have the same properties this way.
The Difference between Them
As Curcumin is one of those many compounds in turmeric, turmeric as a whole spice contains about 9% to 10% of total curcuminoids within its root parts. Whereas, Curcumin is all about this compound alone. Curcumin contains more than 75% of the total curcuminoids in the fine powder. That, too, is the most bioactive compound found in turmeric. Turmeric, effectively consumed in and used on the body, but Curcumin needs another compound with it so it can be absorbed in the bloodstream of the body. You can intake turmeric for multiple bunches of chemical substances at once, whereas if you need Curcumin in your diet, turmeric may and may not be a substitute according to the dosage of curcuminoids.
The Best Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin on the Body
Your body needs a balance in nutritional value, and that is possible when you know what is less in your body. Turmeric and Curcumin have more benefits than you think. Some of them can be curing obesity by regulating excessive body calories and reducing diabetes by increasing the blood sugar metabolism to normal levels. The antifungal and antitoxin properties of them both are important to cure diseases regarding these. Last but not least and necessary to mention is the anti-bacterial property of turmeric and Curcumin. It kills and fights against bacterial infections that might form in the body.
This is how they differ and are famous for their amazing benefits.
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