10 Serious Side Effects of Turmeric You Shouldn’t Ignore

 

What Is Turmeric?

Turmeric is a golden spice derived from the Curcuma longa root and is traditionally extensively used in Indian and South Asian cuisines. Curcumin, the most effective and well-studied compound in turmeric, has a significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. The spicy root has been a vital part of the heritage of natural medical practitioners worldwide for generations. A recent weight loss trick, dubbed the “turmeric hack,” has garnered public attention, bringing this ingredient back into the spotlight.

Health Benefits of Turmeric

Being a spice with a long history of usage, scientists and developers are continually revealing turmeric’s health benefits. It supports healthy inflammation, fights oxidative stress, promotes glucose and lipid metabolism, and helps maintain joint health.

More clinical trials have discovered turmeric’s potential in aiding some diseases and specific health conditions. For example, a viral infection that occurs when getting a cold. Remember the turmeric tea we had while we caught a cold? There is science behind it. However, turmeric tea is unlikely to have substantial effects, due to its low solubility. Only a small amount of turmeric can be taken into the bloodstream through the gut.

Here is the science behind turmeric tea’s limited effectiveness: Curcumin’s (the key ingredient within turmeric) low absorption rate can limit its effectiveness. The body has difficulty absorbing enough turmeric from traditional tea bags, even in forms such as powders and capsules; larger doses are required to achieve any measurable effect.

Most market-available turmeric supplements provide recommended dosages ranging from 500 mg to 200 mg, which is quite substantial and confusing. Here are the recommended dosages for different health purposes:

• Lower dosage: 500 mg- 1000 mg, acts as a preventative agent in joint health or for those who have mild conditions.
• Higher dosage: 1500 mg – 2000mg, aiding chronic diseases to support inflammation or metabolic (Always consult a doctor if you are in specific health conditions like arthritis or diabetes, and want to use turmeric as an additional supplement to support.)

10 Serious Side Effects of Turmeric

Although turmeric is generally considered a safe and well-tolerated ingredient, consuming too much of it at once can lead to mild side effects, including gastrointestinal disturbances (such as nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain), as well as allergic reactions (including skin rashes and swelling). In some extreme cases, there are more severe symptoms observed, including increased blood risks (skin rashes, swelling), increased bleeding risk, worsening gallbladder issues, reduced iron absorption, etc. The following will examine each closely.

1. Gastrointestinal Problems

Gastrointestial is one of the most common side effects that occur with excessive turmeric intake. The user may experience symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort.[1] To alleviate discomfort, you can take turmeric capsules or powders with a meal.[1]

2. Allergic Reactions

This is relatively rare for turmeric. For people who are allergic to turmeric or sulfates, you may have skin rashes or severe anaphylaxis.[2] Stop using any products that contain turmeric or curcumin (turmeric extract) if you have similar symptoms and consult your health provider for further recommendations.

3. Low Blood Sugar

The occurrence of hypoglycemia is observed in diabetics.[1] This is mainly due to turmeric’s ability to transport glucose (sugar) from the blood to skeletal muscles, thereby regulating insulin levels and improving insulin resistance. This is part of the mechanism behind the recently famous “turmeric hack”, benefiting some. However, be cautious with turmeric or curcumin if you are already a diabetic patient or you are having symptoms like headache, fast heartbeat, or any other symptoms of low blood sugar.

4. Iron Deficiency Anemia

Using a high dose of curcumin may increase the risk of low iron absorption. Iron is crucial for blood production, meaning that the curcumin may worsen the anemia in iron-deficient individuals.

5. Liver Injury

Liver injury is a rarely reported side effect of turmeric. In a few extreme cases, people may experience some levels of liver damage when using high doses of turmeric.[4] For those who already have liver injury, it must be taken with great caution.

Read more on signs that your liver needs detoxification

6. Kidney Problems

Kidney-related problems with curcumin are another side effect with low occurrence. High oxalate content in curcumin supplements may contribute to oxalate nephropathy, a rare condition causing kidney failure, particularly in those with pre-existing conditions.[8]

7. Gallbladder Issues

Turmeric (or curcumin) is a naturally occurring compound with proven benefits for the gall bladder health. It is often recommended for cholecystectomy patients after surgery, as it may reduce postoperative pain.[5] Some studies suggest that curcumin may also reduce the likelihood of gallstone formation [6]. However, it has been shown to stimulate gallbladder contraction, which may worsen the condition of gallstone patients by increasing pressure.[7]

8. Higher risk for Cancer Patients

As mentioned above, curcumin possesses powerful anti-oxidative properties. It has also shown an outstanding “anticancer” ability. However, its initial pro-oxidant effect can potentially worsen the oxidative stress, particularly for individuals with existing cancer.[9]

9. Bleeding Risk​​

Turmeric may have blood-thinning effects and could interfere with standard clotting mechanisms by influencing calcium signaling pathways involved in coagulation. This effect may increase the risk of bleeding, particularly in individuals with certain medical conditions.[3]

Reference:

[1] Sharifi-Rad J, Rayess YE, et al. Turmeric and its major compound curcumin on health: bioactive effects and safety profiles for food, pharmaceutical, biotechnological and medicinal applications. Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:01021. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.01021

[2] Contact dermatitis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Medlineplus.gov. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000869.htm

[3] Liu, S., Liu, J., He, L., Liu, L., Cheng, B., Zhou, F., Cao, D., & He, Y. (2022). A Comprehensive Review on the Benefits and Problems of Curcumin with Respect to Human Health. Molecules, 27(14), 4400. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27144400

[4] Kaplowitz, N. (2002). Drug-Induced Liver Disease. CRC Press.

[5] Agarwal, K. A., Tripathi, C. D., Agarwal, B. B., & Saluja, S. (2011). Efficacy of turmeric (curcumin) in pain and postoperative fatigue after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study. Surgical Endoscopy, 25(12), 3805–3810. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-011-1793-z

[6] Srinivasan, A., Selvarajan, S., & Dkhar, S. (2017). THE PLEIOTROPIC EFFECTS OF CURCUMIN. International Journal of Advanced Research, 5(7), 2749–2756. https://doi.org/10.21474/ijar01/5020

[7] Rasyid, A., Rahman, A. R. A., Jaalam, K., & Lelo, A. (2002). Effect of different curcumin dosages on human gall bladder. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 11(4), 314–318. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-6047.2002.00296.x

[8] Washington, O., Robinson, E., Simh, D., Magoo, H., Verma, A., Rennke, H., & Zonozi, R. (2024). Oxalate nephropathy and chronic turmeric supplementation: a case report. Brazilian Journal of Nephrology, 46(1), 99–106. https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-8239-jbn-2023-0079en

[9] Bao, Q., Wang, Z., Yang, T., Su, X., Chen, Y., Liu, L., Deng, Q., Liu, Q., Shao, C., & Zhu, W. (2025). Curcumin induces mitochondrial dysfunction-associated oxidative DNA damage in ovarian cancer cells. PLoS ONE, 20(3), e0319846–e0319846. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319846