A study published in the April 2006 edition of the journal, Cancer shows that the phytochemical,curcumin that gives turmeric its yellow colour also endows this common spice with cancer fighting properties. Previous research has shown that curcumin helps to prevent breast cancer but this latest study demonstrates that it also has the ability to inhibit the growth of pancreatic cancer cells.

The American and Chinese authors of the paper found that curcumin both stimulates apoptosis (programmed cell death) in prostate cancer cells and inhibits the growth of these malignant cells.

This is further confirmation of turmeric's indispensible role as one of our most valuable cancer preventing foods and affirms the role of spices as an important dietary source of anticancer compounds.