Turmeric: What is it composed of?

The turmeric is a perennial plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae family and particularly thrives in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Madagascar. The mechanical grinding of its roots yields a fine yellow-orange powder. This powder has a spicy aroma and is rich in benefits for the skin.

Turmeric has been used for centuries for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory propertiesparticularly in traditional Chinese and Indian medicines. In the West, however, its uses were only discovered from the 17th century onwards. The various properties of turmeric powder come from its biochemical composition, which we invite you to discover.

Turmeric contains numerous active ingredients, some of which are only present in trace amounts. The composition of this ingredient remains the same, whether it is used in the culinary or cosmetic field.

Turmeric contains carbohydrates.

Turmeric is predominantly composed of carbohydrates, at approximately 65%. The carbohydrates present are mainly simple sugars, such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Ukonan A is also found in turmeric powder.

Turmeric is rich in lipids.

Approximately 10% of turmeric consists of lipids. These include oleic acid, an omega-9, linoleic acid, an omega-6, and steroids (cholesterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol). The campesterol is a phytosterol with anti-inflammatory properties. It is indeed capable of blocking the synthesis of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines. The oleic acid is naturally present in the hydrolipidic film of the skin. This is found on the surface of the epidermis and acts as a shield to keep the skin hydrated and protected from external aggressions (wind, cold, pollution...).

Thelinoleic acid is an essential fatty acid, so-called because it cannot be produced by the body. It plays a significant role in the synthesis process of ceramides, lipids that ensure good cohesion between the cells of the stratum corneum, thereby limiting water loss. Ceramides result from an amidation reaction between a sphingoid base and a fatty acid. Those bearing linoleic acid are referred to as acylceramides.

Note : Although it contains oleic acid and linoleic acid, turmeric powder is not considered a nourishing or hydrating ingredient, due to its texture.

Turmeric powder is rich in curcuminoids.

The majority of turmeric's properties come from the curcuminoids it contains. This includes curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin, bisdesmethoxycurcumin, and dihydrocurcumin. Curcumin accounts for approximately 8 to 10% of the overall composition of turmeric. It is responsible for the spicy flavour and its yellow colour. This molecule is involved in numerous biological processes, particularly in the inhibition of COX-2 induction, a membrane-bound inflammatory protein that releases prostaglandins, playing a pathological role.

The double bonds found in the chemical structure of curcumin also make it an excellent antioxidant. Indeed, this allows it to donate an electron to certain free radicals, thereby inhibiting the peroxidation of lipids in cell membranes. This effect helps to maintain the integrity of the skin barrier and protect skin cells from premature ageing. Finally, curcumin inhibits the activity of the PhK protein, associated with psoriasis.

The turmeric powder contains a few minerals.

Just under 5% of turmeric powder is composed of minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron or zinc. Their content is too low to provide real benefits when applied topically, but they contribute to the nutritional value of turmeric when taken orally.

The turmeric powder contains traces of terpenes.

Turmeric also contains various terpenes, albeit in very small quantities (≈ 1%). These include curcumenone, curcumene, caryophyllene, bisacurone, camphene... In addition to contributing to the spicy nature of turmeric, caryophyllene also has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body. As for curcumenone, it is capable of activating fibroblasts at the molecular level. This notably promotes the healing of lesions.

The turmeric powder contains traces of vitamins.

Traces of vitamins can be found in turmeric (< 1%), such as vitamins B1, B2, B3, B9, C and E. However, their concentration is too low to induce any real benefits, whether the turmeric powder is used in cosmetics or in the culinary field. Nevertheless, as part of a varied and balanced diet and when combined with other vitamin-rich foods, turmeric is beneficial for health as it enhances the absorption of certain nutrients, such as iron, in the body.