10 Alarming side effects of turmeric that you must know before taking turmeric

Due to its anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidant properties, turmeric has many health benefits if you take it in a specific quantity, according to physician recommendations. But you know, an overdose of any supplements can lead to dangerous side effects on health. And this is the same in the case of turmeric if you take too much without a doctor’s recommendation. After reading this article, you will be aware of the side effects of turmeric.

What is turmeric?

Turmeric is a commonly used spice that takes from the roots of Curcuma longa. It consists of a chemical called curcumin, which can be used for many health treatments and in daily meals for better flavor and color. Turmeric is a member of the ginger family.

What is Curcumin?

Curcumin is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in turmeric, responsible for its vibrant yellow color. It is renowned for its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and is often used in traditional medicine to alleviate various health issues.

Side effect of turmeric

These are the following side effects of turmeric if you take too much without a physician’s recommendation:

1. Create stomach disturbance

As everyone knows, turmeric can provide heat and keep the body warm. The curcumin in turmeric, which supports the digestive system, can create severe inflammation in your stomach if you take it in large quantities, which can be the reason for diarrhoea or ulcers. Those suffering from gallstones or obstruction of the bile passages should take turmeric according to the doctor’s recommendations. Most people also feel abdominal pain and cramps if they take turmeric too much.

2. It makes your blood thinner

Due to its purifying characteristic, too much turmeric can thin your blood and cause you to bleed more easily. Other proposed advantages of turmeric, like reduced cholesterol and blood pressure, likely relate to how turmeric works in your bloodstream. Also, taking turmeric with blood-thinning medication like warfarin or aspirin may cause the reason of too much bleeding, which can’t be good for your health. Always consult your doctor before taking turmeric with any medication.

Those people who have liver or bile duct issues must not take turmeric supplements because this can be the reason for the increase in bile production. Turmeric use in cooking could not be a problem if you use it in a specific quantity.

3. Dangerous for pregnant women

Turmeric is unsafe for pregnant women if they take it as turmeric supplements during pregnancy. Because it can be the reason for the menstrual period and activate the uterus, creating a risk for pregnancy. So be aware during pregnancy of taking turmeric medication. However, it is safe for pregnant women to use it as a spice in food.

4. Create risk in surgery  

If you have any surgery, you must stop taking turmeric two weeks before the operation because turmeric can reduce the formation of blood clotting and make your blood thinner. So you must tell your doctor about taking turmeric if you have surgery.

5. Reduce blood pressure

Low blood pressure can be hazardous, and too much turmeric can cause you to lower your blood pressure. If anyone has high blood pressure and takes medicine to reduce the BP, they must be aware while taking turmeric supplements to lower blood pressure.

6. It could leave marks on your skin

Adding excessive turmeric to your face mask can leave a yellow mark on your skin, which does not look good and disappears after too many face washes that require a lot of time. So, add a bit of turmeric to your face mask to avoid any stain on your skin.

7. Increase the formation of kidney stones

Taking turmeric in large quantities also has oxalate, which can cause the speedy formation of kidney stones. These oxalates can combine with calcium to create calcium oxalate, which is insoluble and primarily accountable for kidney stones.

Research shows that eating turmeric results in increased urinary oxalate excretion compared to cinnamon, so it’s advisable to avoid turmeric if you have kidney issues.

8. It could trigger contractions

Turmeric spices used in cooking contain a lower amount of curcumin than in turmeric supplements. Consuming high doses of curcumin during pregnancy might change estrogen hormone levels in the body, potentially leading to uterine contractions or bleeding. These effects could be significant enough to induce pregnancy loss or premature labour.

9. React with some medication

The other significant side effect of taking a high dose of curcumin is that it may react with different types of medication. Research shows that too much curcumin quantity reacts with antibiotics, anticoagulants, antidepressants, antihistamines, cardiovascular drugs, indomethacin, aspirin, ibuprofen, and chemotherapeutic agents. Don’t forget to consult your physician When taking turmeric with the above medicine.

10. Could contribute to infertility

Research also indicates that taking too much turmeric could affect testosterone levels and lower the movement of sperm, which can be the reason for infertility. It is also bad for those who try for a baby.

Conclusion

While turmeric is generally safe when consumed in moderate amounts, the excessive quantity may lead to gastrointestinal issues such as stomach upset and diarrhoea. Additionally, some individuals may experience allergic reactions to turmeric, manifesting as skin rashes or breathing difficulties. Long-term use of high doses of turmeric supplements may also potentially affect liver function and infertility issues. Therefore, it’s advisable to consume turmeric in moderation and consult a healthcare professional if experiencing any side effects of turmeric.

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