What happens to the body if you include turmeric in your diet for 2 weeks straight?

What happens if you make turmeric a regular part of your meals for two weeks straight? Indianexpress.com spoke with Bharathi Kumar, dietician at Fortis Hospital, Nagarbhavi, Bengaluru about this.

“Turmeric helps reduce triglyceride levels and LDL cholesterol. It contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-carcinogenic properties that aid in wound healing and infection control. These properties are also beneficial for managing rheumatoid arthritis,” said Kumar.

According to her, turmeric increases gastric juice production, soothes stomach irritation, maintains blood sugar levels, and reduces the risk of obesity. The active compound in turmeric, curcumin, is known for its inhibitive action when it comes to fungal growth, or multiplication of bacteria inside the body, Kumar said.

Clinical dietitian Ridhima Gupta shared that turmeric has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, anti-allergic, anti-dermatophyte, and neuroprotective properties. However, she added that these properties are followed by a poor pharmacokinetic profile which compromises its therapeutic potential.

According to her, turmeric is fat soluble in nature and should be added in cuisine associated with lecithin-rich ingredients such as eggs or vegetable oils- basically good fats, in order to increase the dietary intake of curcuminoids.

“Powdered curcuminoids incorporated into buttermilk (300 mg curcuminoids/100 g of buttermilk, 0.3%), before yogurt manufacturing, resulted in increased in bio accessibility (15-folds) of curcuminoids compared to that of neat curcuminoids. However, the enhanced bio accessibility of curcuminoids in yogurt was still low (approximately 6%),” she pointed out for haldi-doodh and dahi enthusiasts!

Gupta also mentioned that digestive steps also contribute to low bioavailability of polyphenols that further affect solubility, degradation in the intestinal environment, and the permeation rate in the small intestine.

Turmeric helps reduce triglyceride levels and LDL cholesterol. (Source: Freepik)

Can there any health risks if you consume turmeric so often?

“Excessive consumption of turmeric can cause allergic reactions and digestive issues like diarrhoea. Turmeric also contains significant amounts of calcium oxalate, which, if consumed in excess, can lead to kidney stone formation,” said Kumar.

According to her, turmeric can be used in its whole form or ground into a fine powder for ease of cooking.

Kumar said that turmeric is extensively used in Indian cooking, with most recipes calling for a pinch of the spice for its color and health benefits. “The ideal amount of turmeric to be consumed in a regular diet is around 200 mg, as recommended by WHO,” she said.

Dr Mallikarjun Sakpal, Consultant – HPB & Transplant Physician, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru said that whether turmeric is in raw or diluted form, it will absorb in a similar manner. “Sometimes there are cases of malabsorption which can negatively impact the liver, but if you stop consuming turmeric for a while, your liver will gradually get better.”

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.