What Are the Side Effects of Turmeric?

Over the years the popularity and uses of turmeric have changed, mostly known for its colour and flavouring benefits in authentic Indian cooking, you can now find turmeric in an array of supplements, skincare formulations and even in your local coffee house.

There are several common uses for turmeric that many use to combat certain concerns, such as osteoarthritis, hay fever, depression, high cholesterol, and many forms of inflammation. If you wanted to find out more about the benefits of turmeric, you can check out our dedicated blog post. With all these benefits you may be surprised to hear there are a few side effects that come when using turmeric, this is exactly what we will be answering in today’s blog post, so let’s dive in and find out what are the side effects of turmeric.

Is it safe to take turmeric every day?

Yes, it is, but only if you take the correct amount of turmeric each day, this amount can often vary depending on your body weight and the form your turmeric comes in. By this I mean taking a supplement containing turmeric extract is easier to maintain not avoid taking a dosage that is too high. When using turmeric in your cooking it is known for being slightly more difficult to keep on top of the best dosage.

Generally speaking, if you take 1.4mg is safe amount of turmeric to take on a daily basis. This is something that should not be considered as a long-term habit as there is some scientific evidence lacking in the long-term results turmeric has on the body. If you have any concerns or are introducing turmeric to your daily routine for the first time, it’s best to consult your GP or medical professional to ensure turmeric is the best addition for you and your lifestyle.

What are the side effects of taking turmeric every day?

Although turmeric and curcumin are safe and effective at delivering an array of benefits for the body, having said that there are some side effects that can occur for some when taking these extracts.

Turmeric for example contains high amounts of oxalate that is known for contributing to the development of kidney stones. There is also a known risk of some turmeric powders sometimes containing bulking agents that can have potentially toxic ingredients, this therefore means it very important to check the ingredients on the packaging and to check with a doctor should you have any concerns. Taking some time to find the best blend of turmeric extract without the cheap fillers may take some time, but in the long run you’ll reap the rewards without any of the side effects.

Curcumin extract is found in turmeric and is known for being safe to take daily with minimal side effects. However, many find they experience some mild side effects such as.

• Digestive issues, such as bloating and acid reflux
• Skin rash, this is one of the rarest side effects of curcumin but can still affect many
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Increase in kidney stones and other similar concerns

Apart from side effects, curcumin and turmeric are safe to take every day, however, should you have any concerns, even after you have started taking turmeric you should consult with a doctor.

Who shouldn’t take turmeric?

Although turmeric is a natural ingredient and perfectly safe for many to use every day, there are some who should avoid taking turmeric all together.

• Those who suffer from gallbladder problems
• Those who suffer from bleeding disorders
• Those with diabetes
• Those with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Those with iron deficiency
• Those who are pregnant

There you have some examples of who should not use turmeric. Every product is different so it is always important to double check the instructions on the packaging, even if you take turmeric regularly.

What does turmeric do to the body?

Curcumin is the most active compound found in turmeric and carries a lot of health benefits, some of which have been proven by scientific studies to have a vast, positive impact on your general health and wellbeing. The main benefits you can expect to see from using turmeric are the following.

• Help with reducing inflammations both in the body or skin
• Packed with antioxidants meaning it is able to combat oxidative damage caused by free radicals
• Known to help boost brain function and neurotrophic factors
• Lowers the risk of heart disease
• Used to help treat the most common form of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
• Can combat arthritis and similar concerns, such as joint inflammation
• Can help treat and reduce signs of depression

There are just some of the examples of the benefits provided by turmeric, in particular the extract curcumin as this is the more potent compound of the spice. You will also find that curcumin has difficulty absorbing into the body, this is why you will often find turmeric supplements are teamed with black pepper as this helps the curcumin absorb effectively.

Can turmeric raise blood pressure?

Yes, high doses of turmeric have been known to lower blood sugar and blood pressure. Therefore, it is very important to establish you are safe to use turmeric in your daily routine to avoid any increased side effects. If you have diabetes, have a high blood pressure, or suffer with bleeding disorders which require medication you need to take extra precaution when taking turmeric supplements, or adding it into their diet.

How long should I take turmeric for inflammation?

This very much depends on your body mass and the severity of the inflammation. It can usually take around 4-8 weeks for you to start noticing a marked improvement and reduction in the inflammation. If you find it takes longer than 10 weeks to see any difference this would probably mean, you’ll require some advice from a doctor to investigate other options.

There you have a little more about the side effects of turmeric and how it works for your body. Don’t forget to come and follow us on Instagram if you have any more questions!