Turmeric is widely used as a spice in many foods due to its characteristic pleasant smell and flavor. It has numerous health benefits which can prevent and treat various diseases. However, it can have certain side effects, including stomach issues, diarrhea, dizziness and nausea. If you consume it together with black pepper, it equal to 29 cups of the daily dose of turmeric. This can lead to increased blood levels and changes in DNA in vitro.
The following types of people should not use turmeric:
Pregnant or breastfeeding women
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid taking turmeric supplements because it has been proved that turmeric can put pregnancy at risk by stimulating menstrual period or contracting uterus muscles.
When taken orally, it can lower the level of sperm and testosterone in men. This can affect fertility. Therefore, if you are planning a pregnancy, take turmeric cautiously.
People dealing with gallstones
According to recent studies, turmeric can trigger pain in people who suffer from gallstones. Therefore, if you have this kind of problem, avoid turmeric. However, curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, improves liver function and prevents the formation of gallstones due to its cholecystokinetic properties which stimulates gallbladder to contract and spurt out stored bile.
People with biliary tract obstruction
Curcumin improves gallbladder function and lowers the risk of gallstones and gallbladder cancer. However, people who have problems with biliary tract obstructions should be very careful when consuming curcumin.
People who have kidney stones
When taken in large amounts, turmeric can lead to formation of kidney stones. It is loaded with soluble oxalates, which can bind to calcium and create insoluble calcium oxalate, which is the cause for almost 75% of all kidney stones.
Therefore, people who are prone to kidney stones should avoid turmeric, or limit the intake of dietary oxalate to less than 50 mg a day.
People with diabetes
Turmeric has the ability to reduce blood sugar levels and diabetics can experience significant drop in their blood sugar levels. They can consume it, but in small amounts.
People who should have a surgery
People who are about to have a surgery should stop consuming turmeric 2 weeks before the surgery because turmeric prevents blood clotting and can lead to extra bleeding during and after the surgery.
Source/Reference: www.fitbodycenter.com
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