Turmeric During Pregnancy! Safe or Not?

Turmeric is an Indian spice that people all over the world have used for thousands of years for both its flavour and medicinal properties. Turmeric is a tropical plant in the ginger family that is native to Southeast Asia and thrives all over the world in warm climates with lots of rain. The turmeric root has anti-inflammatory effects and is rich in antioxidants.

It is perfectly safe for pregnant women to consume turmeric as long as they do so in moderate amounts. Fresh or dried turmeric is safe for pregnant women to be consumed in small amounts, like the amounts that are found in meals like curries and other dishes. However, avoid using supplements or taking medicinal quantities of this spice. Keep in mind that consuming large amounts of turmeric during pregnancy may alter levels of the hormone estrogen in the body, which can cause uterine contractions or bleeding.

One tablespoon of turmeric powder contains:

29 calories

0.91 grams (g) of protein

0.31 g of fat

6.31 g of carbohydrates

2.1 g of fibre

0.3 g of sugar

Benefits of Turmeric

It is remarkable that only one tablespoon of turmeric is also responsible for satisfying 26 percent of daily manganese needs, 16 percent of daily iron, 5 percent of daily potassium and 3 percent of daily vitamin C.

Known as the ‘Queen of Spices’, turmeric has a number of powerful medicinal benefits. Turmeric’s benefits are brought about mainly by a component named curcumin, which is the main active ingredient in the spice.

• Helps in Digestion- Add turmeric to your diet to help the digestion process and also get relief from bloating.
• Stops Inflammatory Bowel Diseases- Curcumin in turmeric can stop Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis and other inflammatory bowel diseases.
• Natural Pain Killer- Curcumin reduces inflammation, and helps the adrenal gland to produce more cortisone which is a natural painkiller.
• Balances Cholesterol Levels- LDL cholesterol is the bad cholesterol present in our bodies. Turmeric reduces this bad cholesterol by stopping its oxidation process, thus reducing the risk of heart diseases.
• Enhances the Skin- Turmeric helps heal wounds and reduces inflammation. Applying a paste of milk and turmeric gives you soft, glowing skin.  
• Cures Morning Sickness- Turmeric can cure morning sickness and fight nausea.
• Immunity Builder- Turmeric removes the harmful chemicals in the body that harm the healthy cell and the cell membranes, thereby building immunity.
• Better Oral health- Bleeding gums are often experienced by women during pregnancy. This is also known as gingivitis and occurs because of hormonal fluctuations. Turmeric helps the cause as eating meals which have curcumin may reduce the inflammation to stop gingivitis and swelling. Turmeric mouthwash has good results in terms of antiplaque, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. But use turmeric mouthwash with caution, ensuring that the product has low turmeric content and always consult your doctor first.

How to Consume Turmeric

When you are pregnant, you can add turmeric to your meals and drinks to get colour and flavour. Use the powdered spice or fresh turmeric root in the amounts recommended to you. It is advisable that you make turmeric a part of your balanced diet during pregnancy. You can try these following options.

• Sprinkle a dash of turmeric on top of cooked eggs, grains, or vegetables.
• Blend turmeric into smoothies or juices.
• Make turmeric tea, using a teaspoon of turmeric and a squeeze of lemon in a cup of boiling water and sweetening with honey
• Stir turmeric with a pinch of black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger. Add into warm milk to create golden milk.
• Add grated turmeric root to your vegetable soup or stew.

What is the recommended dosage of turmeric?

Turmeric is one of the few spices which is considered safe during pregnancy. But the recommended dosage of turmeric in pregnancy should not exceed 1gm per day, as it can lead to severe health complications. Consult your doctor, on how much turmeric intake is suitable for you. 

When can babies eat turmeric?

Please note that feeding turmeric in any form to new born babies is not safe. You can only feed it to infants after they start consuming solid foods. You can add turmeric to your child’s diet from when he/she is 6-9 months old.

Any other concerns or questions about using turmeric when you are pregnant or breastfeeding should be addressed to your doctor.

Was this article helpful for you? Do write to us and tell us how turmeric helped you during your pregnancy days. Also share your pregnancy experiences with us. We would love to hear from you mommies!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is turmeric tea safe for pregnancy?

Turmeric is safe when taken by mouth in small food amounts during pregnancy or breast-feeding. However, turmeric is unsafe when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts during pregnancy. It might promote a menstrual period or stimulate the uterus. The same applies for Turmeric Tea.

Can toddlers eat turmeric?

A small amount of turmeric at a time is totally safe for your toddler. It's a great spice for palate training your little one to be an adventurous eater.

What are the negative effects of turmeric?

Turmeric and curcumin seem to be generally well tolerated. The most common side effects observed in clinical studies are gastrointestinal and include constipation, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, distension, gastroesophageal reflux, nausea, vomiting, yellow stool and stomach ache.

Disclaimer: Always consult your physician/paediatrician before beginning any program. This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. Consult with your healthcare professional to design an appropriate program for you and your child.