Unfortunately, turmeric (and curcumin on its own) doesn’t absorb well into the bloodstream, and having it in curry once a month is unlikely to give you the desired anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, says Dana Angelo White, RD, the owner of Dana White Nutrition. To reach the amounts of turmeric and curcumin shown to offer benefits in research studies, you’ll have to turn to supplements. It is important to note, however, that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no established safe or recommended daily value for curcumin or turmeric, and the FDA does not regulate any supplements.

1. Curcumin Is an Anti-Inflammatory

3. Curcumin May Help Prevent (and Possibly Treat) Certain Types of Cancer