In a report released Monday, June 27, the health authority says the spice can be toxic, especially to the liver, if consumed in high doses.
Turmeric is an ancestral spice, taken from the plant of the same name. Its enthusiasts attribute to it a wide range of merits, far from being always confirmed by science. One of the most recognized benefits is undoubtedly its anti-inflammatory effects in certain chronic diseases such as diabetes. But it’s time for moderation, as excessive consumption can pose health risks. Turmeric and its main active molecule, curcumin, can be toxic in high doses, especially to the liver, according to a new report by the National Agency for Food Safety (Anses) published on Monday, June 27, 2022.
Poor absorption of curcumin
“Different surveillance tools (…) have all identified adverse effects associated with the use of turmeric or curcumin,” reports ANSES. “The most frequently reported effects are malaise, asthenia, digestive symptoms and liver disorders,” explains the agency, based on both French and international data.
The most frequently reported effects are malaise, asthenia, gastrointestinal symptoms, and liver disorders
ANSES in its June 27 report
The ANSES warning does not apply to current consumption of the raw spice in food. The agency judges that at 27 mg of curcumin per day for high consumers of turmeric-based foods, the exposure of the French population through the plate remains low. In fact, it is the nutritional supplements (oils, capsules) that are of concern. Although their composition does not exceed the recommended daily doses of curcumin (180 mg per day for a 60 kg adult), it is designed in such a way that this active molecule is assimilated by the body to a much greater extent; 185 times higher than unformulated curcumin,” emphasizes ANSES.
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“Curcumin is very poorly bioavailable, that is, it passes through the blood with difficulty and leaves the body very quickly. Manufacturers have developed different formulations to improve this bioavailability and thus increase the effect of curcumin,” explains ANSES trial coordinator Fanny Huret in a press release.
Even if studies have concluded that these additives are not dangerous, ANSES expresses its skepticism. this work is small-scale and often funded by the producers themselves. Unwanted consequences have already been noticed in Europe. “Recently, Italy has discovered about twenty cases of hepatitis related to dietary supplements containing turmeric,” the agency notes. More than 100 reports of adverse effects in France have been attributed to this consumption, including fifteen cases of hepatitis.
The peer review conducted by ANSES also identified interactions between curcumin and certain medications (anticoagulants or anticancer drugs) that could put patients at risk. The agency also advises against the use of turmeric-based dietary supplements for people suffering from biliary tract pathologies. In general, he recommends consulting a doctor before using this type of product.
Source: Le Figaro
