Turmeric is a natural compound that has been used as a spice on kitchen shelves. Many cultures have used processed turmeric as a dye because of its vivid yellow color. The primary biologically active component of turmeric is called curcumin. Turmeric is suggested for treating a number of medical issues. And it is famously known for its beneficial properties to skincare. Besides its health advantages, it may cause some side effects for your health too. So be careful while using it.
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Key Points
- Turmeric can be used to treat several illnesses. Additionally, it enjoys a well-deserved reputation for having beneficial skincare properties.
- According to some reports, people should take 400–600 mg (three times) of turmeric daily.
- In addition to its positive health effects, turmeric may also have some drawbacks.
- High doses of turmeric consumption may increase the risk of gallbladder problems, gastrointestinal issues, increased risk of excessive bleeding and male infertility, and may cause extremely low blood pressure.
- Consume it sparingly to avoid its negative effects. In addition, you can speak with a nutritionist to get a good diet plan for eating a balanced diet.
Learn more about the potential side effects of turmeric after its overconsumption.
A little bit about the phytochemistry of Turmeric
Turmeric is obtained from a plant, also known as Indian saffron or the golden spice that is native to Asia and Central America. The major component of turmeric constitutes natural antioxidants which are given as.
- Volatile oil
- Turmerone
- Curcuminoids
- Curcumin demethoxycurcumin
- 5′-methoxycurcumin
- Dihydrocurcumin
Did you know – Turmeric dates back nearly 4000 years and is a prominent part of Vedic culture. While it originated in India, it was also grown in China by 700 AD, East Africa by 800 AD, and West Africa by 1200 AD.
Also read – Turmeric: The Natural Antibiotic!
What is the recommended dosage of Turmeric?
- According to some reports, individuals should take 400 to 600 mg (three times) of turmeric a day.
- If someone consumes more than this dose then it may cause significant negative consequences for a healthy body.
Did You Know? 80 percent of the world’s production of turmeric comes from India. Tamil Nadu’s Erode, often known as “yellow city” or “turmeric city,” is the world’s largest producer and trading hub for turmeric.
Side Effects Of Turmeric To Know
Now let’s discuss the side effects of turmeric which you should know in order to take care of your health.
1. Increase the risk of gallbladder issues
Oxalate, a chemical that can raise the chance of developing gallstones, is present in considerable amounts in turmeric.
- According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, participants who had taken turmeric had higher amounts of oxalate in their urine than those in the control group.
- When turmeric pills of 20–40 mg were administered in the experimental group, there were also reports of more frequent gallbladder contractions.
- Doctors advised staying away from turmeric supplements if you have gallbladder problems.
You can take help from a nutritionist to adjust turmeric effectively in your daily routine diet plan.
Have a look at the Health Benefits Of Turmeric
2- May lead to gastrointestinal problems
- Taking turmeric in large doses over a lengthy period of time has been reported to induce gastrointestinal difficulties according to research.
- Make sure you just take the suggested dose of turmeric supplement for adults (400 mg to 3 grams), as taking more than that can cause stomach issues.
- Studies also show that its high dose may lead to indigestion and heartburn.
If you are currently facing these problems then we would suggest to go for a gastroenterologist without any delay.
3- Enhance the risk of excessive bleeding
- Blood coagulation has been shown to be slowed down by turmeric, which increases the risk of bleeding and bruising in people with bleeding disorders.
- The curcumin substance of turmeric stops the platelets from clumping together according to research.
- If you are taking any medications for bleeding disorders or have bleeding disorders, you should stop taking turmeric.
- Turmeric may also interact with several other drugs to cause excessive bleeding. You can take expert advice from an internal medicine specialist regarding this.
Beware – Avoid taking turmeric for one to two weeks before surgery if you are scheduled for surgery. The reason for this is turmeric’s propensity to prevent blood clotting.
4- Increase the risk of kidney stones
- Due to the presence of oxalates, too much turmeric might raise the risk of kidney stones.
- These oxalates have the ability to combine with calcium to create calcium oxalate, an insoluble compound that is primarily responsible for kidney stones.
- It is best to stay away from turmeric if you have renal issues because according to one study, it causes a higher level of urinary oxalate excretion.
If you are looking for an expert for the effective treatment of kidney stones, look no other than this link, and book an appointment right now.
5- A factor in the infertility of males
- Men who consume a lot of turmeric-containing products or drugs may experience changes in their testosterone levels and sperm mobility, which may result in infertility according to several studies.
- The curcumin substance of turmeric interferes with the androgen signaling pathway and in this way it causes a decrease in the production of testosterone levels in males.
You may also read 11 Health Miracles of Turmeric
6- May lead to liver damage
- People who are diagnosed with liver conditions should try to avoid turmeric in very high amounts as it may cause liver damage according to different research.
- Moreover, turmeric supplements have been linked with increased liver injuries reported by many experts.
To ensure the health of your liver, we would suggest you go for a regular check-up with one of the best liver specialists in Pakistan.
7- May cause iron deficiency
- Some of the chemicals in turmeric have been proven in studies to bind to iron.
- This can cause a decline in the body’s capacity to absorb iron from food. This situation will result in iron deficiency anemia.
- To prevent this situation, it is really necessary that you take turmeric in its recommended dosages.
7- Nausea and diarrhea
- Due to the curcumin’s potential to irritate the gastrointestinal tract, nausea and diarrhea are two symptoms linked to turmeric supplementation according to studies.
- If you experience any nausea after taking turmeric, stop using it right once because some people can experience it even at modest dosages.
Moreover, you may take a consultation with a doctor in order to get medicines to deal with these symptoms.
8- Severe allergic reactions
- Due to skin contact with turmeric, curcumin has the potential to cause contact allergies, like contact dermatitis, and urticaria (hives).
- The kumkum and curcumin compounds of turmeric are linked with causing these allergies of the skin according to a study.
- Furthermore, turmeric allergy is also possible if you have an allergy to yellow food coloring.
To treat this allergy on your skin, we would suggest you to go for a dermatologist right now.
9- May cause blood pressure extremely low
- According to studies, high amounts of turmeric can drop blood pressure too low and it can be harmful.
- You must exercise caution when using turmeric if you are taking blood pressure drugs too.
10- Turmeric can also cause low blood sugar level
- The compounds of turmeric can cause hypoglycemia especially when you are taking diabetes medications according to experts.
- A high dose of turmeric in such circumstances can really give you harmful effects.
Caution- Don’t take turmeric supplements for diabetes without concerning your doctor.
Summary
Due to the many health benefits of turmeric, its negative effects are rarely discussed. However, taking turmeric internally may result in stomach problems, aggravate problems with acidity, and trigger gallbladder contractions.
In addition, excessive consumption of turmeric may raise the risk of bleeding, kidney stones, infertility, and iron deficiency.
Moreover, it has a worrisome tendency to reduce blood pressure and interfere with blood coagulation, both of which pose serious health risks.
So, to avoid its negative effects, consume it in moderation. Apart from this, you may consult a nutritionist to get an effective diet plan regarding the moderate amount of your food.
FAQs
1- Who should not use turmeric?
Those who have gallbladder issues, high blood pressure, diabetes, GERD, infertility, iron insufficiency, liver disease, hormone-sensitive ailments, and arrhythmia should avoid taking an overdose of turmeric.
2- Can turmeric cause heart palpitations?
Turmeric-containing products contain curcumin which has the chemical properties of disrupting cardiac rhythms and may cause heart palpitations.
3- What is the safest way to take turmeric?
It is best to take turmeric with food to aid with absorption. Splitting it into two doses with a gap of 8-12 hours can decrease its negative effects on the body.
