Is Turmeric Alkaline or Acidic? The truth About Turmeric

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Turmeric is a common spice, majorly known for its deep yellow color. This plant is quite useful as a spice, to make dye, and even in beauty products.

Although while it is usually recommended as a useful spice for quick relief od gastrointestinal or stomach problems, have you ever questioned if it really healthy? Is turmeric acicic or akaline?

Turmeric is primarily acidic. It is also termed a superfood herb due to its ability to fight off inflammation, acid reflux, and other conditions. Nonetheless, you may want to avoid it if you are on an alkaline diet.

Is Turmeric Alkaline?

Turmeric is acidic. However, whether turmeric is acidic or alkaline may be conflicting since it is made of several components.

Therefore, to understand whether it is acidic or alkaline, you have to know more about its specific components, notably curcumin.

Turmeric is a herbaceous plant in the ginger family. The most important part of this plant is the rhizome, although the stem is just as useful.

The turmeric rhizome is usually dried and ground to a moderately fine yellow powder. The powder has a distinct acrid, slightly bitter-sweet taste.

The main (active) component of turmeric is curcuminoids, which are antioxidants. This is why, sometimes, turmeric is referred to as Curcumin.

Other components of turmeric include mold (3%), volatile oils (3.5%), extraneous matter (approximately 0.5% of the total weight), and about 9% moisture content.

Is Curcumin Acidic?

In alkaline conditions, Curcumin will turn red because it is solubilized. In perspective, Curcumin is chemically acidic but quickly drops its acidic protons when put or exposed to alkaline environments.

Furthermore, Curcumin is more stable in acidic environments.

This is why, although sometimes turmeric is termed as alkaline, it is more accurate to group it as acidic when referring to the curcumin component or neutral when referring to turmeric as a whole.

What is The PH of Turmeric?

As is with all other solid compounds, turmeric does not have a PH. You can only get the PH of a liquid or a solution. This may be confusing, especially since we just mentioned that it is primarily acidic.

Here is why.

Turmeric is derived from the underground (rhizome) stem of the Curcuma longa. This root is not a single compound but a mixture of several components, the major one being Curcumin (2 to 6%).

Ph. is usually derived from liquids or compounds and not mixtures. Turmeric, as seen, is a mixture of several components, including water and oils.

It is noteworthy to mention that turmeric is made of more than 100 components.

Getting the ph. of turmeric may be difficult since you will need to get the ph. information of all the other components then consolidates them. The best way to do this is to grind the turmeric, dissolve it in water then measure Ph.

At room temperature, turmeric solution (turmeric + water) has a ph of 7, which is neutral. For this reason, turmeric is normally used as a natural indicator to test for acids and bases in other components.

Turmeric is a natural reagent and will turn yellow in acidic and neutral substances but takes on a bright red color when put in bases.

Often, when determining the ph., acidity, or alkalinity of turmeric, the most active compound, Curcumin, is considered.

Does Turmeric increase stomach acid?

Turmeric does worsen acid reflux in some people. However, this only happens to a few people who are sensitive to it or when you ingest high doses of it over a long period.

Related:

Turmeric for Acid Reflux and Ulcers: Hype or Help?

Is Turmeric A Hybrid Or A Polymer?

Turmeric is a sterile hybrid. This is because it is propagated vegetatively between wild Curcuma species such as Curcuma aromatic and Curcuma petiolata. Sometimes, Curcuma aurantica species can be used as well.

This means that turmeric does not reproduce via seeds, spores, or pollination. Instead, new turmeric rhizomes emerge from vegetative parts. These parts may be the root, stem, or sometimes even the leaf.

Additionally, turmeric plants are hybrids because they form due to cross-breeding two species of plants. These processes can occur deliberately when a turmeric farmer decides to cross-breed or naturally.

On the other hand, Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is a natural monomer that straight polymerization methods can readily polymerize.

What is a polymer in relation to turmeric? Simple. First, understand that a polymer is a single molecule made from joining or condensing many smaller molecules called monomers like Curcumin. Upon polymerization, the end product will be curcumin polymers known as polycurcumins.

Polymerizing curcumins to form polycurcumins comes with its benefits. For one, in itself, Curcumin has very low aqueous solubility and bioavailability.

This means that it is poorly soluble in the bloodstream. Additionally, Curcumin quickly degrades at alkaline ph. Polymerization enhances its bioavailability and water solubility.

This is particularly important if turmeric is to be used for medicinal purposes. Polymerization will help make this component stable in various physiological conditions, including both alkaline and acidic.

Why Is Turmeric Bad For You?

Turmeric has been termed as the golden spice. Yet, some people experience severe reactions after eating or topically using turmeric. So, is turmeric bad for you?

Short-term and moderate use of turmeric is relatively safe. Taking about a maximum of 8grams of turmeric daily for up to two months is safe. You can also reduce the amount to 5grams or 3grams, depending on your need.

However, excess consumption of turmeric is bad for you. High doses of turmeric may lead to the following side effects:

1. Too much turmeric thins your blood

The right amount of turmeric serves to purify and cleanse your blood. On the flip side, large doses of it thins your blood and make you bleed out more easily.

Curcumin is an anticoagulant factor and hinders coagulation and blood clotting.

2. It can lead to stomach upsets

Turmeric stimulates your stomach walls to produce more gastric juice than average. These may irritate your stomach lining.

Some people also complain of nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness after consuming too much turmeric.

3. It can stimulate labor

Studies suggest that turmeric can stimulate contractions and also ease the symptoms of PMS. For this reason, pregnant women are advised to go easy on this spice.

Turmeric is generally a healthy spice. Even then, as is with every food, moderation is key. You will only reap the benefits of this root if you use it in moderation.

Dr. Sebi on Turmeric

‘One-third of the world dialysis patients are Indian because they eat curry and curry is made of polymers. What are polymers? Turmeric, paprika, and cumin. There aren’t any plants that produce cumin, and turmeric, and paprika. They are laboratory products, they gonna hurt you, they’re gonna injure you…’

Well, the above excerpt portrays Dr. Sebi’s exact thoughts on turmeric. According to him, turmeric is manmade and possibly harmful to your health. He also ascertains that turmeric is a hybrid with polymers that negatively affect the kidneys.

An alkaline diet aficionado, Dr. Sebi’s stand on turmeric stems from the fact that it is acidic and a hybrid (not a natural product). This goes against the basis of this diet, alkalizing your body for better health.

Although the alkaline diet is plant-based, only a few plants are approved. Turmeric and turmeric supplements are not on the list.

Related:

Who Should Not Take Turmeric?

If you’re on an alkaline diet, you should not take turmeric. However, there are certain groups of people who should never take turmeric for specific reasons.

Turmeric contains active alkaloids, and the following groups of people should stay clear of it.

They include:

People with bleeding disorders

People with blood disorders such as those with sickle cell anemia should avoid turmeric. As mentioned before, turmeric is an anticoagulant that slows down the clotting process of blood.

The slow clotting process also leads to an increased risk of bruising and bleeding excessively. Those who take injectable blood thinners should also avoid turmeric.

People with gallbladder problems

Turmeric stimulates the gall bladder to secrete more bile. Therefore, taking turmeric will only worsen gall bladder problems instead of making them better. You also need to shun turmeric if you have bile duct obstructions or gallstones.

Gastroesophageal reflux disorder

Contrary to popular belief, turmeric worsens stomach issues such as gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). Both turmeric and its active component curcumin are said to relieve GERD.

However, turmeric has a very low bioavailability score. For this reason, you will need to take high amounts of it in order to treat acid reflux, and you know high quantities of it will only exacerbate your acid reflux symptoms.

Your body absorbs this spice poorly, plus your intestinal wall and liver quickly metabolize them.

When to Avoid Turmeric

You should avoid this spice at all times, no matter how delicious as it may be. Avoid turmeric if you are on an alkaline diet.

The curcumin content in it makes it more acidic than basic and will go against your goal of alkalizing your body for better health.

If you are scheduled for surgery, avoid taking turmeric and its supplements at least two weeks before the date. Turmeric thins your blood and also delays blood clot formation.

You don’t want to bleed excessively during surgery, do you?

Avoid taking turmeric when pregnant. This is because it is a uterine stimulant and may, although rare, induce a regular menstrual cycle in pregnant women.

Related:

Is Turmeric Good for You?

Consuming the right amount of turmeric has numerous benefits. They include:

It is a natural anti-inflammatory compound
It is a natural antioxidant
it helps relieve the symptoms of arthritis

Final thoughts

Turmeric is a super spice with numerous benefits. Foods laced with it are tasty and have an attractive color. However, if you are on a diet, such as an alkaline diet, it is best to avoid it.

As a matter of fact, whether or not you are on a restrictive diet, the only way to reap the benefits of turmeric is if you use it sparingly.

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