Turmeric Health Benefits: The right way to use turmeric to get maximum benefits (2024)

FAQs

Turmeric Health Benefits: The right way to use turmeric to get maximum benefits? ›

Studies have found that turmeric has more health benefits when you take it with: Black pepper: Peperine, the active ingredient in black pepper, increases how much turmeric you absorb by up to 2,000 percent. Healthy fats: Turmeric is fat soluble. That means it dissolves in fat and not water.

The best way to take turmeric is in supplement form. Choose a supplement that has been specially formulated for better absorption. And look for a USP-verified mark on the bottle. Like any supplement, turmeric can cause side effects and may interact with other medications you take.

You may want to try a turmeric face mask at home to see if the spice has any positive effects on your skin. You can mix small amounts of Greek yogurt, honey, and turmeric together and apply to your face. Keep the mask on for 15 minutes and then wash off with water.

“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 supplements can be taken at any time of day, but they're best taken at mealtime or with food to aid absorption. Turmeric is generally safe for most people when consumed in moderation, but certain populations should exercise caution.

Piperine is a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2,000% . In fact, the best curcumin supplements contain piperine, and this makes them substantially more effective. Curcumin is also fat soluble, which means it breaks down and dissolves in fat or oil.

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.

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.

Do you need black pepper to activate turmeric? ›

This is the primary reason why you should take turmeric with black pepper. Black pepper contains a compound called piperine that helps to increase the rate at which turmeric is absorbed by the body. In fact, research shows that piperine can increase the bioavailability of curcumin by 2000%.

The best turmeric supplements combine curcumin and black pepper. Adding black pepper can increase absorption of curcumin by 2,000%! The liver actively tries to get rid of the curcumin. By adding even just a pinch of pepper, this helps to suppress this process, allowing curcumin levels in the bloodstream to rise.

Turmeric may reduce the fat deposit in the body. It could help reduce body fat and body weight as per animal studies. You can mix some turmeric in a glass of warm water and take it every morning to reduce belly fat.

The antioxidant effect of turmeric appears to be so powerful that it may stop your liver from being damaged by toxins. This could be good news for people who take strong drugs for diabetes or other health conditions that might hurt their liver with long-term use.

Turmeric helps brighten skin and the appearance of uneven tone, leaving you with clearer skin. Your skin wounds may heal a lot quicker when you wash with turmeric soap. The anti-inflammatory properties decrease the skin's inflammation; and speed up the skin's ability to form new tissue.

Thorne Curcumin Phytosome Capsules is our pick as the best overall because it contains a formulation of turmeric that has been suggested to be significantly more effective than other forms. It's also third-party tested and manufactured by a company known for producing high quality supplements.

Geiger says turmeric spices contain around 3% curcumin, while extracts in supplement form can contain 95% curcumin. Waegelein says she typically recommends curcumin supplements over turmeric, since they can be more effective.

Research suggests 500–2,000 mg of turmeric per day may have potential benefits, particularly in extract form. The exact dose may depend on the medical condition you're trying to treat, though official dosing recommendations are unavailable.

Turmeric is a plant and it's the roots of the plant that are used to make the spice that is used in cooking and herbal drinks. Curcumin is the naturally occurring compound within the plant's roots that give it it's bright yellow colour and is known as a carotenoid compound. It is also a very strong antioxidant.