Turmeric supplements have surged in popularity recently and it's easy to see why.
Their potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are a top choice when it comes to naturally relieving joint aches and pains, with a history that dates back more than 4,000 years in Ayurvedic medicine.
"Turmeric is a hugely popular herbal supplement due to the powerful properties of its active ingredient, Curcumin," says Shona Wilkinson, Lead Nutritionist at supplement brand, DR.VEGAN. "Turmeric is widely recommended by health specialists because it is an antioxidant, great for digestion and because of its powerful active ingredient, curcumin (curcuminoids), which is excellent for joints. However, the most common misconception people have is that taking a standard turmeric supplement helps their joints, which is not the case.
"Curcumin levels are the most important thing to look for when buying a turmeric supplement. If it doesn't contain curcumin it means your turmeric supplement is doing little or nothing for your joints."
What is the recommended daily intake of turmeric powder?
According to Wilkinson, "The recommended daily intake of turmeric powder varies depending on how it is used within the body. A good way of looking at the dosage is based on the active compound, curcumin. A good starting dose is 3mg of curcumin per kg of body weight. Most turmeric powders contain around 2 per cent curcumin, meaning that you would need to take 3400 mg of turmeric powder daily.”
Can you overdose on turmeric powder? What are the effects?
She explains, "While turmeric is considered safe for most people, consuming excessive amounts may lead to gastrointestinal issues such as nausea or diarrhoea."
Can you absorb enough turmeric powder from food?
"While incorporating turmeric into your diet is beneficial, it's challenging to gauge exactly how much curcumin you consume, as the curcumin content of turmeric powders varies", reveals the expert.
Shop the best turmeric supplements below
Nutrition Geeks Turmeric Tablets 2000 mg
Nutrition Geeks’ Turmeric Tablets 2000 mg are designed to offer a potent dose of turmeric, enhanced with black pepper and ginger for better absorption and additional health benefits. Each serving provides the equivalent of 2000 mg of high-quality turmeric, with a 95% curcumin extract, compared to the standard 3% found in many other supplements. Its inclusion of black pepper extract (piperine) is also known to increase the absorption of curcumin in the blood by up to 20 times, while its ginger addition is recognized for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Buy now £6.29, Amazon
NaturesPlus Turmeric Curcumin Gummies
These NaturesPlus Turmeric Curcumin Gummies each contain 250 mg of turmeric, along with 12 mg of ginger extract and 100 mcg of black pepper extract.
The inclusion of ginger and black pepper extracts enhances absorption and bioavailability, while the peach flavour makes them a delicious addition to your vitamin routine.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
StarPowa turmeric 3000 mg
StarPowa's gummies are the closest thing you'll find to sweets. The vitamins taste so good you'll almost want to eat more of them than recommended. The brand's turmeric 3000 mg supplements are vegan, gluten-free and contain added black pepper for increased absorption.
While they may taste delicious, they're made with natural flavours and sweeteners and have less than 0.1 sugar per gummy.
Buy now £29.99, Holland & Barrett
DR.VEGAN Curcumin & Turmeric supplement
Dr Vegan's Curcumin & Turmeric supplement is an advanced formulation of curcumin extract from turmeric root. It offers a high-strength, highly absorbable blend and provides 20 times more of the component than standard turmeric supplements.
Formulated by expert nutritionists, it includes sustainably sourced organic ingredients, providing a high-strength blend of key botanicals packed with bioactive compounds, including 200 mg of curcumin and 3300 mg of turmeric.
Buy now £14.99, DR.VEGAN
Oxford Organics Store Advanced Turmeric Capsules High Strength 3000mg
Oxford Organics Store’s Advanced Turmeric Capsules contain high-strength extracts of turmeric powder, ginger root powder and black pepper and are formulated with a market-leading extract that ensures 50 times the strength of regular turmeric root powder per unit mass.
Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, makes up just 3 per cent of turmeric powder by weight. However, this formula uses an optimised extract containing 95 per cent curcumin, leading to more fulfilling effects.
Buy now £7.55, Amazon
Healthspan Opti-Turmeric
Healthspan’s Opti-Turmeric is a popular turmeric supplement that stands out for its high absorption rate. According to the brand, Opti-Turmeric is 185 times better absorbed and seven times faster acting than standard powdered turmeric, due to its formulation which includes the trademarked NovaSOL curcumin, a liquid form of curcumin that's more easily absorbed by your body.
You'll find 500 mg of high-strength liquid curcumin per capsule as well as added vitamin C to support cartilage formation and immune health.
Buy now £21.99, Healthspan
NutraVita Organic Turmeric with Black Pepper & Ginger 180 Vegan Capsules
Take two of NutraVita’s capsules and you'll be boosted with 1340 mg of organic turmeric, 80mg of organic ginger and 20mg of organic black pepper. Sourced organically from India, this three-month supply works synergistically to provide a powerful blend for your health and is certified organic by the prestigious Soil Association.
Buy now £17.99, NutraVita
Wild Nutrition Food-Grown Organic Turmaforte Turmeric
One of the most popular options around for anyone who likes a more tailored approach to their supplements, Wild Nutrition's Food-Grown Organic Turmaforte Turmeric is an award-winning formula that delivers the full spectrum of plant actives from the whole root. It's both organically and sustainably sourced and provides the equivalent dose of 13g of turmeric root per day.
Buy now £31.20, Wild Nutrition
Nature’s Best Turmeric Tablets 20,000mg
These Nature’s Best Turmeric Tablets offer a high-strength dose of turmeric. Each tablet supplies 500mg of turmeric root extract, equivalent to 20,000mg of culinary turmeric. Designed for optimal absorption, the tablets disintegrate within 30 to 60 minutes of swallowing and are vegan-friendly.
The impressive 95 per cent curcumins ensure potent benefits and, unlike culinary powder, these tablets contain genuine turmeric root extract. If you're sensitive to strong flavours, these taste-free tablets do all of the work without any of the unnecessary flavours.
Buy now £18.00, Amazon
Bettervits Turmeric Complex
Bettervits Turmeric Complex is a powerful supplement that combines the benefits of turmeric with other key ingredients, including black pepper, Vitamin C and Boswellia Serrata, known for its natural anti-inflammatory properties. Each serving contains 10,000mg of turmeric extract, providing a concentrated dose of curcuminoids, while its combo of supplementary ingredients ensures up to 30x more potency than standard products.
Buy now £26.99, Amazon
Verdict
Nutrition Geeks’ Turmeric Tablets take our top spot when it comes to the best turmeric supplements. Not only are they potent, but they also offer enhanced curcumin absorption and provide holistic health support, combating oxidative cell damage and supporting your overall well-being.
