Haldi or turmeric, already known for its very various beneficial effects on body, has added one more feather to its cap. Recent study has revealed that haldi can help fight obesity. Study showed haldi contains a plant-based chemical called curcumin which suppresses the growth of fat tissue in mice and human cell cultures.

Researchers from Tufts University in Boston used animal models to study effect of haldi on obesity. One set of mice were given high-fat diets while another set was given the same food with 500mg of curcumin added to each meal.

It was found that after 12 weeks, the mice fed curcumin weighed less as compared to those which did not eat it.

Senior study author Mohsen Meydani of the Jean Mayer U. S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts, said: "Weight gain is the result of the growth and expansion of fat tissue, which cannot happen unless new blood vessels form, a process known as angiogenesis."

"Based on our data, curcumin appears to suppress angiogenic activity in the fat tissue of mice fed high fat diets."