Turmeric has been used as a medicine for centuries to treat wounds, infections, colds, and liver disease. Studies have shown that curcumin, a compound in turmeric, may reduce inflammation in the body.
The World Health Organization found 1.4 mg of turmeric per pound of body weight is okay for daily intake. It's not advisable to take high doses of turmeric for long periods of time. There isn't enough research to guarantee safety. If you want to take turmeric to relieve pain and inflammation, talk to your doctor.
The available research suggests that turmeric's antioxidant effects can be felt between 4-8 weeks. One study found that turmeric's stimulative effect on SOD activities was seen after about 6 weeks. “The available research suggests that turmeric's antioxidant effects can be felt between 4-8 weeks.”
Seema Singh, chief clinical nutritionist & HOD, Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, told indianexpress.com, “Besides reducing inflammation associated with obesity, consumption of turmeric increases the metabolic rate which helps burn calories faster in the body. Turmeric water or turmeric tea can help you reduce belly fat.
Turmeric is hailed as a common medicinal spice, part of the ginger family, and can be used to aid the quality of sleep whilst also lowering anxiety levels, improving mood, and promoting relaxation.
With turmeric powder, you are going to have to consume more of it in order to get the same amount of curcumin. This means that if you are looking for purely health benefits, it is best to simply take the supplements. They are far more concentrated, and get you the curcumin you need without the bloat.
Turmeric usually doesn't cause serious side effects. Some people can experience mild side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea. These side effects are more common at higher doses. When applied to the skin: Turmeric is likely safe.
Turmeric should be taken with meals to help with absorption. It's also a good idea to divide it into two doses taken 8 to 12 hours apart. This will help increase absorption and keep levels steady in the body. Dividing the dose may also help reduce possible side effects.
Unfortunately, turmeric doesn't offer a quick fix, so you'll need to take it daily to notice results. If you were wondering how long it takes turmeric to work, this can vary from person to person. However, you should usually expect to start noticing improvements in around 4-8 weeks when taken daily.
Don't take turmeric supplements if:
You're taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil , Motrin ), or Acetaminophen (Tylenol ). Turmeric may lessen the effects of these medications.
But in high doses (more than 8 grams or about ½ tablespoon), the curcumin can cause upset stomach, dizziness, and diarrhea. Turmeric supplements are also not recommended for pregnant women, people who take blood pressure medication, or people who have gallstones or gastrointestinal problems.
Drinking turmeric milk before bedtime may help give your mood a boost. In fact, turmeric may even help alleviate symptoms of depression. In 2014, researchers launched a study to determine the effects – if any – of curcumin on significant depression.
“Like other colorful plant-based foods, turmeric is rich in phytonutrients that may protect the body by neutralizing free radicals (pollution, sunlight) and shielding the cells from damage.” Diets rich in plant-based foods are associated with prevention of medical conditions such as cancer and heart disease.
Turmeric in food is considered safe. However, taking large amounts of turmeric and curcumin in supplement form for long periods of time may cause stomach upset and, in extreme cases, ulcers. People who have gallstones or obstruction of the bile passages should talk to their doctor before taking turmeric.
It can upset your stomach
Some participants in studies looking at the use of turmeric for cancer treatment had to drop out because their digestion was so negatively affected. Turmeric stimulates the stomach to produce more gastric acid. While this helps some people's digestion, it can really do a number on others.
The recommended daily dose for turmeric powder is about 3 grams per day, which is equivalent to a teaspoon.
According to experts, turmeric water is best consumed in the morning. “Though used both in the morning or before bed at night, turmeric water serves to be the most beneficial when had empty stomach as it helps the body burn excess flab,” Chawla said.
“It's safe to take up to 8 grams per day, but my recommendation would be somewhere on the lighter side: 500 to 1,000 milligrams a day for the general population,” says Hopsecger. For optimal absorption, try taking with heart-healthy fats like oils, avocado, nuts and seeds, she adds.
Most people find success taking turmeric either in the morning to start their day, or at night before bed to combat inflammation from the day's activities. We also recommend that you take turmeric with a meal since curcumin absorption increases when paired with healthy fats.
Upset stomach
As we all know, turmeric or haldi is said to produce heat and warm the body. In case you have too much turmeric, you might end up with severe inflammation in your stomach which can cause diarhhoea. Some people also experience abdominal pain and cramps.
In fact, they know that just one teaspoon per day of this “Queen of all spices,” which has been prevalent in natural medicine for some 4,000 years, will help keep inflammation, pain, toxins and even some cancers at bay.
Turmeric, also known as Curcuma longa, is one of the natural ingredients that is thought to increase the length of the anagen (growth) phase of hair. This phase is one of the four hair growth cycles, in which new growth happens as it pushes old hair up and out of the hair follicle.