Turmeric is a deep golden-orange spice renowned for adding color, flavor, and nutrition to foods. A close relative of ginger, turmeric comes from the rhizome of a native Asian plant and has been used in cooking for centuries. It's also used in Ayurvedic medicine and other forms of traditional medicine in China and India.

The active ingredient in turmeric is a natural compound (polyphenol) called curcumin, which has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin possesses numerous biological activities, many of which are still being understood. Like other colorful plant foods, turmeric is rich in phytonutrients that may protect the body by neutralizing free radicals (from pollution, sunlight, etc.) and safeguarding cells from damage. Diets rich in plant-based foods have been linked to the prevention of medical conditions such as cancer and heart disease.