Spice ‘helps sport pains’

RUGBY players found yellow spice turmeric relieves pain as well as popular analgesics.

In a trial, 50 players from Italian club Piacenza were given either curcumin, a compound in the spice, or a painkiller to relieve bone or muscle problems.

The conditions of those on curcumin improved and they also had four times fewer tummy upsets.

Dr Francesco Di Pierro of Velleja Research, said it could be “a safe analgesic” to relieve pain.