IRVINE, Calif.—A UC Irvine researcher says a spice that is common in Indian curries and other Asian dishes may be so packed with anti-oxidants and other good chemicals that it might extend the lifespan of humans.
Curcumin is an ingredient in turmeric, a golden spice that is a staple in Asian cuisine, and used in many American kitchens for its peppery flavor as well. Mahtab Jafari, an associate pharmacuetic sciences professor at UC Irvine, says the spice keeps fruit flies alive 20 percent longer than normal, improves their mobility, and prevents tumors in them.