France warns that overuse of turmeric can be toxic to the liver

On June 29, the French National Food Safety Authority (ANSES) issued a warning, people should be cautious when consuming turmeric as a functional food.

Turmeric has always been praised as a spice with many health benefits and is used by more and more people. However, recently, the French health agency has warned this spice can be toxic to the liver, especially when taken as a dietary supplement.

"Different vigilance devices have all identified adverse effects associated with excessive consumption of turmeric or curcumin ," the ANSES agency summarized in a report. Based on both French and international data, the agency concluded: "The most frequently reported symptoms were malaise, asthenia, gastrointestinal symptoms and liver dysfunction ".

Taken in high doses can be toxic, especially to the liver

Among the proven benefits, turmeric seems to help curb the inflammatory problems associated with certain chronic diseases like diabetes. Substances in turmeric have been touted as having the ability to fight cancer. However, its true effectiveness has largely not been proven by large-scale studies in humans.

The latest research has shown that, taken in high doses, turmeric - through its main active molecule, curcumin - can be toxic, especially to the liver. "Studies show that high doses of turmeric or curcumin are hepatotoxic in animals," emphasizes ANSES.

ANSES is based not only on these studies but also on actual observations. Over a period of more than 10 years (from 2009 to 2021), in France, about 10 cases of hepatitis were found to be caused by consuming too much turmeric extract.

The researchers acknowledge that doses considered toxic are very high but are mainly found in turmeric-based supplements and many of these products are designed in such a way that curcumin is formulated. the body assimilate in a much larger way. ANSES emphasizes that this anabolic capacity is "4 to 185 times greater than curcumin found in fresh turmeric" . That's why there's virtually no risk in consuming turmeric in its natural form with meals.

Therefore, the agency advises people to exercise extreme caution when consuming processed turmeric products. Even if previous studies have concluded that these supplements pose no danger, ANSES expressed skepticism that these studies were small and often funded by the manufacturers themselves.

ANSES specifically recommends against consuming these supplements by patients undergoing cancer treatment or taking anticoagulants, underscoring the risk of harmful interactions with curcumin.