The Ultimate Guide to Turmeric
Turmeric has become a household staple, a spice that's more commonly used in South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking. Beyond its culinary uses, this spice is also a well-known natural medicine. Turmeric contains an extensive list of health benefits. It serves as a natural anti-inflammatory and a powerful antioxidant, and helps prevent long term inflammation that causes diseases such as cancer and free radical damage.
Turmeric can also decrease the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels and improving the function of the lining in blood vessels. There are also studies that show that it can boost brain function and overall cognition.
With the rising popularity of this versatile ingredient, it’s no surprise that people are always looking for viable options of turmeric supplements in the market.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER
With the wide variety of available supplements in the market, how will you know the right one for you? Here are some of the factors to consider before deciding to buy a turmeric supplement:
1. Turmeric Root vs. Turmeric Extract: What is the difference and how can they impact the efficacy?
2. Amount of Turmeric Extract: How much turmeric extract should you take daily to get the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits?
3. Format: What is the most beneficial form of turmeric?
4. Price: Are you getting your money’s worth with your current supplement?
5. Ingredients & Sweetness Level: Are you tasting more sugar than turmeric? Does your supplement contain the right ingredients for proper absorption?
1. Turmeric Root vs. Turmeric Extract
Turmeric is a root and a member of the ginger family. While it’s known for its anti-inflammatory properties, it also contains plant compounds called curcurmin — the primary active compound in turmeric.
Curcumin, an antioxidant powerhouse, is where turmeric’s potential health benefits come from. So it’s important to note how much curcumin there is in your supplement. Curcumin comprises only a small part of turmeric, so getting the maximum benefits from the root alone might be difficult to achieve.
Your best bet is taking a supplement with turmeric extract as this has already been extracted to contain a potent dose of curcumin.
The Purest Co: We use 250mg of high quality Curcugen™ Turmeric. It’s a premium quality turmeric extract that’s rich in curcumin, and it also enhances efficacy by 39x. It’s been clinically proven to help fight inflammation and has antioxidant properties.
Bonus Tip: You’ll be able to enjoy the full benefits of turmeric from its extract, so it's best to always check if this is the format you’re getting in your supplements.
2. Amount of Turmeric Extract
It’s important to check how much turmeric extract there is in your supplements. It’s recommended that you take 150-250 mg of curcumin to get the desired health benefits. Having too little or too much turmeric may have its own side effects. Don’t go too overboard for the sake of your health. Taking the right amount is always the right option.
The Purest Co: One of the key ingredients in our Ginseng Turmeric Superjuice is BioPerine™ (an extract obtained from black pepper fruits). It enhances the absorption rate of curcumin and ginseng, ensuring our product provides superior effectiveness as compared to others.
BioPerine™ also offers the benefits of piperine — an alkaloid present in black pepper. Studies have shown that piperine boosts the absorption rate of curcumin and other key ingredients by 20x.
Bonus Tip: Don’t take more than the recommended daily intake of turmeric in order to maximize its benefits.
3. Format
Pills, powder or drink?
Turmeric supplements can come in different formats. The most common and popular form is powdered turmeric. However, some brands don’t ensure the best absorption rate of this form. You have to consume this with a drink or food that has oils or fats, eliminating the convenience of the supplement. The amount of curcumin might also decrease due to chemical changes caused by cooking foods with turmeric.
Turmeric in pill form doesn't have a lot of curcumin. Unlike in liquid form, our bodies need to break down the pill or capsule first. Additionally, most pills fail to break apart fully after 30 minutes, lowering the absorption rate.
The best form of turmeric supplements to ingest is in liquid form. It’s easier to take and absorbed by our bodies instantly. Studies show that turmeric drinks raise bioavailability by 98% compared to pills which only have up to 53%.
The Purest Co: Offers a ready-to-drink supplement. Our Ginseng Turmeric Superjuice is a superfood that’s packed with ingredients that takes full advantage of curcumin benefits and increases bioavailability, rate of absorption, and assimilation.
Bonus Tip: Always take supplements that are convenient for you and easy to travel with.
4. Price
One of the biggest factors to consider before purchasing a product is the price. With a wide variety of turmeric-based supplements in the market, brands offer different pricing options that will suit your budget. However, you have to consider if the price matches the quality of the product.
A key thing to do would be to look at the ingredients. Is there enough curcumin per serving? Is the supplement riddled with artificial flavouring? Are you provided with enough turmeric extract to enjoy its benefits?
More often than not, paying a little more for your health is better than the alternative. The best way to take care of your wellness is to get products from a trusted and reputable brand. This ensures that you are getting high quality supplements with clinically proven formulas.
The Purest Co: While not the cheapest option in the market, our Ginseng Turmeric Superjuice provides an optimal amount of branded turmeric extract, as well as complementary ingredients formulated to ensure effectiveness. Additionally, there’s a risk-free trial policy. You can buy a box, try a sachet and if you don’t like it, you can return it to us at our cost. 100% guaranteed.
Bonus Tip: Prioritize the quality of your supplements and always buy from trusted brands who have done their research and have data to back up their claims.
5. Ingredients & Sweetness Level
Make sure you’re getting 100% high quality ingredients instead of supplements with unnecessary sweeteners or synthetic fillers. Getting the purest form of the ingredients will provide your body the best benefits.
Always double check if you’re getting the right amount of turmeric extract or if they’re providing you with a lower dosage.
The Purest Co: Uses naturally sweetened passion fruit juice concentrate that’s rich in Vitamins A & C that helps the immune function of the body. We have received positive feedback from both our focus groups and customers on how the taste of our Ginseng Turmeric Superjuice is “just right”.
Bonus Tip: Always check the ingredients label and see if the brand is providing you all the necessary information about your supplements.
Top 3 Turmeric Supplements
We here at Superfood Reviews have done the research to find out what the best option for turmeric supplements in the market. We have graded each choice through a stringent grading based on the following criteria:
Our evaluation criteria:
In our search for the best ingredients and supplements, we have researched and tested supplements in various form factors, namely: softgels, capsules, edibles, and drinks. After extensive work done, we have narrowed down the selection to the top 3 turmeric supplements with the best ingredients.
The overall comprehensive turmeric supplement, in our view, is The Purest Co's Ginseng Turmeric Superjuice, given the high quality clinically-tested ingredients used, and also its superior bio-absorption liquid delivery form.
PROS
Potent formulation with 250mg of industry-leading Curcugen™ turmeric extract
Contains complementary ingredients such as BioPerine® and also Ginseng extract
Made in an FDA and HACCP certified facility in Taiwan
No unnecessary additives or fillers
30-day risk free satisfaction guarantee
Highly rated for customer experience
Free express delivery on all local orders
CONS
Only available online
Regularly out of stock due to high demand
BOTTOMLINE
Since it may be relatively inconvenient to obtain and prepare ginseng, your best option for incorporating it into your diet on a daily basis is to look for a ready-to-consume product, like The Purest Co’s Ginseng Turmeric Superjuice, which comes packaged in daily sachets for fuss-free consumption. In addition to American Ginseng (200mg per serving), this Superjuice is also formulated with turmeric and black pepper BioPerine (discussed below)—all three of which have been linked to a reduction in LDL cholesterol levels.
The Purest Co’s Ginseng Turmeric Superjuice, which contains 250mg of Turmeric Curcugen per serving, is one of the best turmeric extracts on the market because its formulation is 39-times bioavailability enhanced, which means your body will be absorbing more curcumin than other turmeric supplements. Moreover, the three main key ingredients of this Superjuice (ginseng, turmeric, and black pepper) all complement each other and work synergistically to enhance each other’s efficacy (more on this below).
The Purest Co’s Ginseng Turmeric Superjuice utilizes BioPerine in its formulation, and enhances the beneficial effects of piperine by formulating it with turmeric (curcumin) and ginseng. BioPerine works especially well with these latter two ingredients because it enhances their efficacy by 16-20x by increasing your body’s absorption of curcumin and ginseng. Indeed, studies have suggested that taking piperine in conjunction with curcumin can increase curcumin’s bioavailability by up to 2000%.
*Results are based on Superfood Reviews system and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
PROS
Contains 500mg of industry standard turmeric extract
No unnecessary additives and fillers
Widely available both online and offline
Vegetarian, gluten and yeast free
CONS
Does not use premium turmeric extract
Pills have less bioavailability than liquids
No presence of complementary ingredients, especially BioPerine®
Divisive feedback from some consumers
BOTTOMLINE
Standardized Turmeric Curcumin by GNC is a good option from a brand that is well known in the country for affordable options.
Each pill contains 500mg of industry standard turmeric extract, and while not as potent as our first choice, this still provides a good option for consumers.
This vegetarian-friendly formula has no unnecessary additives, but also omits certain complementary ingredients such as BioPerine®, which would help enhance the benefits of the product.
We feel that overall, the Standardized Turmeric Curcumin by GNC is a good no-frills choice for a consumer who wants an industry standard turmeric extract in pill form.
*Results are based on Superfood Reviews system and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
PROS
House brand of a reputable medical provider
Affordable option
Widely available online
No added starch
Manufactured in USA
CONS
Low amount of turmeric extract - 50mg
Pills have less bioavailability than liquids
No presence of complementary ingredients, especially BioPerine®
BOTTOMLINE
Raffles Medical is affiliated with Raffles Medical, a well-known healthcare provider in the country. Their house brand turmeric extract is manufactured in the USA and is widely available online to purchase.
Their product contains 450mg of turmeric root, but only 50mg of turmeric extract, which is low. As turmeric extract is the focal point of these supplements, this option will not be as beneficial as other choices with higher quantities of turmeric extract.
Additionally, there is no presence of BioPerine® or any other complementary ingredients.
Diving into customer experience, it seems that Raffles Health may not take the customer experience too seriously, and there may be some negative feedback on that front.
That being said, this option is an affordable one and may be for customers who are looking to try a turmeric extract before moving onto higher quality options.
*Results are based on Superfood Reviews system and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
CONCLUSION
Many factors have to be considered when buying your next supplement. Instead of just purchasing products directly off the shelf, it’s important to do your research first. This is how you’ll find top quality products that will best suit your health needs. Even for well-known brands, it's best to always check their ingredients to see if you’re getting your money’s worth or if it's filled with sweeteners or fillers.
In making sure that you’re getting the right amount of turmeric extract to reap the benefits, you’re helping your body become stronger and healthier.
GINSENG TURMERIC SUPERJUICE
(30 Sachets)
Supports Immune Function, Heart Health, Energy
Natural key ingredients Turmeric, Ginseng & Black Pepper
Premium extracts Turmeric CURCUGEN™ & BioPerine®
Naturally sweetened with Jujube & Passionfruit Juice
Rich in Vitamins A & C
