Why is Turmeric a strict NO NO for kidney patients? | The Times of India (2024)

Known as Haldi, turmeric is an integral part of Indian culture, from adding colour and flavour to meals to boosting the health of homemade blends and becoming an inseparable part of Indian rituals. Since ages we have been told about the innumerable health benefits of consuming turmeric, but what if we tell you that this antioxidant loaded spice also has some downsides that are believed to affect kidney and liver health! Let’s find out…

Curcumin is the main element that makes turmeric a superfood. From healing pain to boosting immunity to keeping infectants at bay, this spice can fix everything. However, an excess intake of this spice can also affect the body in several ways.

This is because curcumin in turmeric has high amounts of oxalates that can increase the risk of kidney stones and interfere with the functioning of this vital organ. In addition, curcumin has a hot potency which is often associated with diarrhea, indigestion, among other things. Apart from this, excessive intake of turmeric can lead to thinning of blood as it helps in reducing blood clotting. Here’s how excessive intake of turmeric can impact liver health.

The presence of curcumin in turmeric makes it good for reducing inflammation and helps slow down the progression of fibroids. Apart from that, the anti-cancerous properties of turmeric make it healthy for the liver, but only when it is consumed in moderation. Excess of turmeric has been linked with the low rate of transient serum enzyme elevations as per the study on liver functioning, which was published in the National Library of medicine.

According to health experts, the daily intake of turmeric should not exceed 2000 mg. And one must ensure a healthy intake of at least around 500mg.

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