Curcumin and trace elements measured in 30 turmeric capsules
What it found
Curcumin amounts varied widely across 30 turmeric capsule samples, and several trace metals were also found.
The tests were done on the products themselves, not in people or animals.
What they found
Curcumin amounts varied widely
The amount of curcumin in the capsules ranged from very little to a large share of the product weight. The lowest was 0.03 g per 100 g and the highest was 37.6 g per 100 g.
Trace metals detected
Most of the ten metals tested were found in the capsules. Barium showed the widest spread, reaching up to 23.48 mg/kg. Antimony and mercury were too low to measure.
No link between ingredients
The researchers looked at whether curcumin levels matched metal levels. They found no direct relationship between them.
Daily curcumin intake estimates
Based on the capsule contents, estimated daily curcumin intake ranged from 0.004 to 2.684 mg per kg of body weight. Thirteen samples fell below 10 percent of the acceptable daily limit, twelve were between 10 and 50 percent, and three were above 50 percent.
Metal intake stayed low
Cobalt contributed the most among the metals tested. Even so, it made up only 2.72 percent of the health guidance value set by European authorities.
What the authors conclude
- They say that careful marketing of turmeric products is essential to protect consumers.
- Their results show wide differences in what these capsules contain, so quality checks matter.
How it was done
Turmeric is used for its color, flavor, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which are thought to help prevent diseases. The authors wanted to check what is actually inside turmeric capsules sold to consumers.
They tested 30 turmeric capsule samples. They measured how much curcumin each contained using light-based testing. They also checked for ten trace metals after breaking the capsules down with acid.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- These tests measured what was inside the capsules, not what happens when someone takes them.
- This work cannot show whether these products cause any health effects in people.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
- Authors work at
- University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil; Institute of Food Technology, Brazil; Adolfo Lutz Institute, Brazil
The paper
- Title
- Turmeric products: Evaluation of curcumin and trace elements
- Type
- Study
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Andrekowisk Fioravanti MI, Peixoto Pizano F, Rebellato AP, Milani RF, Morgano MA, Pavesi Arisseto Bragotto A (2024). Turmeric products: Evaluation of curcumin and trace elements. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.). doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2024.115028PubMed 39614547DOI
Summary written 1 Oct 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error