Many of you may be familiar with the rich yellow color of Turmeric. Turmeric is a spice that is a favorite in Middle East and Asian foods. Not to be confused with Safron, it is a member of the Ginger family and provides a warm flavor with a bitter undertone, much like Ginger. It’s rich yellow color has also been used as a dye. In fact, Turmeric is responsible for the bright yellow color of mustard.
Researchers at the University of Texas are beginning to investigate Turmeric’s use in fighting cancer. They have already found that an active compound found in Turmeric helped stop the spread of breast cancer cells to the lungs of mice. As a result of this study, tests have already started in people.
Earlier research suggests that people who eat diets rich in turmeric have lower rates of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer.
Because Turmeric is a well known spice, researchers note that safety is not an issue. The only issue is, does it work?
While the researchers continue their studies, we might want to begin our own by experimenting with Turmeric in our cooking. If you are looking for recipes I found a website www.homecooking.about.com that can get you started.
