A recent study has demonstrated that turmeric is as effective as medication in reducing excessive stomach acid.
Turmeric has long been used as a medicinal and culinary herb in Southeast Asia. It is native to India but has been traditionally used in Indian, Middle Eastern, Asian, and Thai cuisine for centuries.
The Power of Turmeric!
Turmeric has been utilized in Ayurvedic (Indian) and Chinese medicinal practices for over 4,000 years, as documented in historical records. The active compound, curcumin, is believed to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, wound healing, and antibacterial properties.
Turmeric, scientifically known as Curcuma longa, originates from the root of the turmeric plant, a member of the ginger family and a flowering plant.
In a new study, researchers investigated the hypothesis that curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, could potentially mitigate acid reflux.
A Natural Solution to Taming Excess Stomach Acid
This study aimed to assess its effectiveness compared to conventional medications like PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) such as omeprazole, which is a widely used treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It’s worth noting that the long-term use of PPIs has faced growing concerns due to their association with an elevated risk of infections, fractures, and even dementia.
The trial included 151 participants divided into groups: 20 in the curcumin group, 19 in the omeprazole group, and 16 in each of the combined treatment groups. They were assessed using the Severity of Dyspepsia Assessment (SODA) score, which measures relief from symptoms such as pain, burning, bloating, gas, and nausea.
A New Hope for Acid Reflux Sufferers
In the study, the effectiveness of curcumin or combined treatments was nearly on par with the PPI alone for all symptoms except pain, where omeprazole demonstrated a slight advantage. However, after 56 days, while the pain scores remained similar, turmeric emerged as the most effective option in alleviating the other symptoms.
