Too much haldi is bad for you! Here are 5 turmeric side effects to know about

Turmeric or haldi, the golden spice that is found in every Indian household, has been getting attention from all over the world as an immunity-boosting food. For the uninitiated, turmeric is a close cousin of ginger, and gives curries its characteristic yellow hue.

This spice has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for several health benefits that include lowering the risk of heart disease, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and some types of cancer. And all these benefits are the wonders of curcumin, a substance found in turmeric. A study in Oncogene shows that it can be more effective than common anti-inflammatory medications like Advil (ibuprofen) and aspirin.

But they say overdoing anything is a bad idea, and that’s the same with turmeric. Consuming it in moderate quantities is beneficial, but the moment you go overboard, you will experience side-effects!

How much is too much turmeric?

As per research, it is recommended to have a teaspoon a day, which is safe. But anything more than that can cause certain reactions in your body like an upset stomach, nausea and even dizziness. Some people also consume turmeric supplements, and if taken in large amounts, they can really wreak havoc on your body.

So without further ado, let’s try and understand the kind of problems turmeric can cause, if not consumed in moderation:

1. Upset stomach

As we all know, turmeric or haldi is said to produce heat and warm the body. In case you have too much turmeric, you might end up with severe inflammation in your stomach which can cause diarhhoea. Some people also experience abdominal pain and cramps.

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2. Lowers the absorption of iron

This is important, especially for those who suffer from an iron deficiency. Consuming too much turmeric or haldi can further limit absorption of this nutrient. According to a study, turmeric along with chilli pepper, garlic, and shallot reduces the amount of iron your body can absorb, by 20-90%. Now that’s an eye opener, isn’t it?

3. Increases risk of developing kidney stones

Turmeric also contains oxalates that could increase the risk of getting kidney stones. That’s because oxalates bind with calcium to form insoluble calcium oxalate, which is a big reason why kidney stones occur. So ladies, do not over-consume this spice to avoid any sort of kidney damage.

4. Triggers nausea

Yes, this is true! While curcumin is a miracle compound, it does have a tendency to cause problems in the gastrointestinal tract, and that means you might end up with nausea and that’s the last thing you want.

5. May cause an allergic reaction

Some people could be allergic to some compounds present in turmeric that can cause rashes and outbreaks, and shortness of breath. And it’s not really limited to consumption, some people might even get these symptoms on application of turmeric on their skin.

So make sure you consume turmeric only in moderate quantities to reap its benefits. Eating anything in extreme is bad for your health!