The researchers at Tufts University in United States claimed that turmeric extracts may be helpful in preventing obesity. The researchers found out that curcumin, the major polyphenol found in turmeric is very helpful in restricting obesity. The experiment was carried on mice and the results revealed that consumption of curcumin by the mice reduced their weight. According to the study, polyphenol found in turmeric in the form of curcumin suppressed fat tissue in mice.

 

Dr. Mohsen Meydani of Tufts University said that the growth and expansion of fat tissue lead to weight gain. The growth of fat tissue take place with the formation of new blood vessels and the process is called angiogenesis, added Meydani. Throwing more light, Dr. Meydani informed that curcumin suppresses the whole process of angiogenic activity in the fat tissue thereby helps to restrict obesity.

 

Although the research looks promising but the problem is that such kind of experimentation has not been conducted on human body. Commenting on that, Dr. Meydani said that it is still unknown whether curcumin will make an effect on human body or not. The findings of the study were published in the May 2009 issue of the Journal of Nutrition. Supplementation of turmeric extract helped to reduce body fat in mice and it is expected that further research on this line will definitely dig out the benefits of turmeric in restricting obesity in humans.