Like curry? There’s more to love than just the taste. Scientists from Oregon State University have long since believed there were many health benefits of curry spices and, now, they finally think they can prove it.
New information from a study conducted by researchers found that curcumin – a compound founder in a popular cooking spice called tumeric – “can cause a modest but measurable increase in levels of a protein that’s known to be important in the innate immune system.” Simply put, the compound can help prevent infection and keep you healthy.
The cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (also known as CAMP) helps our immune systems fight off nasty viruses, bacteria and fungai.
“This research points to a new avenue for regulating CAMP gene expression,” said Adrian Gombart, an associate professor of biochemistry and biophysics in the Linus Pauling Institute. “It’s interesting and somewhat surprising that curcumin can do that, and could provide another tool to develop medical therapies.”
