Used for centuries in India to treat indigestion, turmeric was considered just another culinary spice in the West until researchers discovered it contained a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound called curcumin. Since then, studies in-vitro and in mice have established curcumin’s ability to fight inflammation and inhibit human colon cancer cells. A recent pilot study of five people with ulcerative proctitis and five with Crohn’s disease found that daily treatments with a standardized dose of curcumin (550 mg twice a day for one month, then three times a day for ulcerative proctitis; 360 mg three times a day for one month and then four times a day for Crohn’s disease) over a two- or three-month period brought significant improvement in both groups. The researchers say the results warrant a full-blown double-blind, placebo-controlled study. In the meantime, it couldn’t hurt for anyone with Irritable Bowel Syndrome or other intestinal issues to add a dose of curcumin to their daily supplement intake. Hate swallowing pills? Try adding yellow curry and other turmeric-rich dishes to your diet for a tummy-friendly boost.

—James Keough