A study has found that turmeric supplementation has a positive impact on recovery for professional athletes.
This pilot study of Rotherham United’s first team players, conducted in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, explored whether a turmeric supplement could enhance recovery in elite male footballers.
It found that supplementation with raw turmeric, in the form of The Turmeric Co.’s Raw Turmeric Original shot, reduces inflammation and soreness post-exercise.
Curcumin, the key active ingredient in turmeric, is a dietary compound with anti-inflammatory properties that has been previously been shown to reduce muscle damage and soreness post-exercise when taken in a bioavailable form.
Twenty-two male elite footballers from EFL Championship side Rotherham United’s first team were randomised to either consume The Turmeric Co.’s Raw Turmeric Original 60ml shot twice per day or to a control group who did not consume the product.
Subjective leg and whole-body soreness, strength and jump performance, alongside blood-based inflammatory marker c-reactive protein, were assessed at baseline, immediately (zero-hours), 40 hours and 64 hours post-match. The study took place over eight competitive matches.
When comparing athletes consuming turmeric with those that didn’t, the study found that turmeric supplementation resulted in:
- Leg muscle soreness was 77 per cent lower
- Whole-body muscle soreness was 106 per cent lower
- A blood marker of inflammation was 1082 per cent lower 64 hours post-match
Overall, turmeric supplementation lowered soreness and a blood marker of inflammation, suggesting turmeric may reduce fatigue post-match play in elite footballers and accelerate recovery.
Dr Ian Varley, Associate Professor in Exercise Physiology at the School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University said: “We know that football match-play causes muscle damage and induces fatigue.
Therefore, rapid recovery following match-play is important to optimise performance levels and reduce injury risk.
“What these findings demonstrate is that the supplementation of turmeric results in lower C-reaction protein [inflammation marker] as well as significantly decreased subjective soreness [leg and body] in turmeric users three days following match-play.
“We want to thank The Turmeric Co. and Rotherham United for their support in this study, which we believe will lead on to further research opportunities on the impact natural product supplementation can have on professional athletes.”
The Turmeric Co., founded by professional footballer Thomas ‘Hal’ Robson-Kanu, provides a range of functional flavours including Raw Turmeric Original, Raw Turmeric & Ginger, Raw Turmeric & Beetroot, and Raw Turmeric Vitamin C & D3. Each formula is offered in a fully recyclable 60ml bottle for easy and convenient daily consumption.
Thomas ‘Hal’ Robson-Kanu, Founder and CEO at The Turmeric Co. said: “There’s always an element of risk when conducting a study like this that the results may not demonstrate the results you want to see.
However, when you have developed such a strong product over many years, like we have at The Turmeric Co., you have to be confident in your product and the science behind it.
“What we are seeing here is exactly what we have set out to do with our products, to provide the ultimate supplement that utilised turmeric, and its many healing properties, to enhance performance and recovery when playing sport or conducting physical exercise.
“Special thanks go to Dr. Ian Varley and his team at Nottingham Trent University as well as Ross Burbeary and everyone at Rotherham United for their support in bringing this to life, adding further backing to our products at The Turmeric Co.”
The Turmeric Co. has supported Rotherham United as the club’s Nutritional Supplement Partner for the past three seasons, in a deal which saw the functional nutrition business work alongside the club’s first team players and staff by supplying a range of its supplements to support with the rigorous training schedules by aiding their recovery.
Brent Dickinson MSc, BSc, ASCC, Senior Performance Coach, Rotherham United Football Club, said: “It is common knowledge that we pride ourselves on pushing the players to their physical limits here at Rotherham United but whilst taking care to ensure their continued well-being both physiologically and psychologically.
“We try to put in place practices that ensure that the lads have all the tools they need to remain in peak physical condition throughout what is a long and hard season and, having welcomed The Turmeric Co. on board, we have been able to provide an added element to the recovery process with their turmeric shots.
“We are always looking at ways in which we can get those “one per cent” advantages and we certainly feel like working alongside the guys from The Turmeric Co. does that for us.”
The Turmeric Co. is the UK’s leading producer of naturally produced turmeric shots, which are also used by a number of elite athletes to enhance their recovery and holistic health.
The Turmeric Co. has spent over a decade perfecting its range of turmeric shots to optimise the health benefits they deliver.
Find out more at www.theturmeric.co