Want to lose weight? Well, you could try exercising. Or, according to a new study, you could try consuming curcumin, a compound found in the spice turmeric, a staple of some Asian diets.
Take our quiz about curcumin.
1. According to a study in the May issue of the Journal of Nutrition, curcumin could stall the spread of fat tissue in what way:
a) inhibiting new blood vessel growth
b) increasing adrenalin levels
c) decreasing glycogen stores
2. The study was performed on which group:
a) rats
b) mice
c) rabbits
3. True or false: The curcumin-ingesting group also had lower levels of blood glucose, triglyceride, fatty acid, cholesterol and liver fat.
4. In addition to being an ingredient in curry powder and being used as a coloring agent in other dishes, curcumin has been found in which nonfood group:
a) floor wax
b) cosmetics
c) printing ink
5. In addition to its weight-loss property, curcumin has been shown in studies to help ease the symptoms of which condition:
a) attention-deficit
b) epilepsy
c) Crohn's
ANSWERS: 1:a; 2:b; 3:true; 4:b; 5:c
Sources: www.ars.usda.gov; www.food-info.net; www.advance-health.com.
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(c) 2009, The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.). Distributed by Mclatchy-Tribune News Service.