You may have found you’ve used turmeric in your cooking more than anything else, but it is one ingredient that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. Nowadays you’ll find turmeric extracts in almost every industry, from food, to beauty and health. Yes, we are truly obsessed with turmeric and the benefits it can deliver.
The question is, can you have too much of a good thing? As amazing turmeric is for to take as a daily supplement, can you over do it and will this cause a change to your urine colour? And if it does, is this something to be concerned with? All these questions are something we will be discussing in today’s blog post and hopefully everything will become a lot clearer.
What are the health benefits of turmeric?
Turmeric provides a vast selection of health benefits. Here are some of the main examples of the health benefits you can expect to see when taking a daily turmeric supplement.
- Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory- By combating any signs of foreign invaders that can cause damage to the body, turmeric is able to calm inflammation which can also contribute to helping the following conditions and diseases.
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Degenerative conditions
- Metabolic syndrome
- Turmeric is packed with antioxidants- The body and skin are exposed to daily free radicals, these come in different forms, such as pollution, central heating, UV rays, and other environmental aggressors. With a potent selection of antioxidants turmeric enables the body to combat any free radical damage.
- Turmeric helps boost neurotrophic factor- With the help from turmeric it is understood that neurons can multiple and form new connections ensuring the brain remains at its healthiest state and combat any brain disorders developing.
- Turmeric lowers the risk of heart disease- There are several ways turmeric can benefit the body and reversing any signs of heart disease developing to become more severe. It can do this by improving the function of endothelium, regulate blood pressure, prevent blood clotting and many more.
There you have some examples of how turmeric can benefit your overall health and wellbeing. Now you’ve had a little refresher on turmeric, let’s dive in to finding out more about how it can affect your urine colour.
Does turmeric affect urine?
Yes, it can, by consuming large doses of turmeric supplements you’ll find that there is a significant increase in the oxalate levels in the urine. Once there is an increase of these levels you’ll find some conditions, such as kidney stones, are more likely to develop and if left untreated can cause a great deal of discomfort. You will also find that the colour of your urine will become notably darker and more yellow, this is nothing to be too concerned with as it will not influence your health and wellbeing, it simply looks unusual.
What foods change your urine colour?
When it comes to certain foods that change the colour of your urine, you will have the reassurance that these changes are harmless. Some of the main food types that change the colour of your urine are as follows.
- Beetroot
- Fava beans
- Blackberries
- Rhubarb
- Carrots
- B vitamins
- Food Dyes
The colour of your urine will very much depend on the foods you consumed as the colour can vary from red, brown, green, orange, and blue tinge to your urine. This change won’t be long term, and is no cause for concern, however if you find there is a colour change without the consumption of any of these foods it’s best to consult with a doctor or medical professional.
What colour is your urine if you have liver problems?
If you find that your urine is a dark orange, amber or brownish colour, this is a clear sign of some form of liver problems. Taking out of the equation dehydration of course, the reason for your urine to have such a dark colour is the result of too much bilirubin building up too quickly for the liver to break it down in time. You will also find that if you have a swollen abdomen and discomfort this can be linked to liver problems or disease, not forgetting of course signs of jaundice which is when the skin and the whites of the eyes develop a hint of yellow.
If you have any concerns with potentially having problems with your liver, you must consult with your doctor or medical professional to come to the best conclusion on how to move forward.
What are the side effects of taking turmeric?
Turmeric and different varieties are tolerated, however there are some side effects. The most common side effects include the likes of constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. These side effects can be avoided easily if you ensure you take the correct dosage of turmeric a day.
You’ll find that these side effects usually don’t last longer than a week or so, but if you find they become more severe or show no signs of subsiding you must consult with a doctor or medical professional.
Can you take turmeric every day?
Yes, you can but in small doses, this is mainly because there are no studies demonstrating how taking larger amounts of turmeric every day is safe for you. As impressive as it is at delivering its benefits it is also prone to interfering with certain medications and health conditions so always be cautious about the amount you are taking each day.
There you have a little more information about turmeric and whether it changes the colour of your urine. As I have already mentioned if you are introducing any new forms of vitamins or supplements into your daily routine, ensure you have double checked with a doctor for added peace of mind you and your body will be happy with the addition and avoid unwanted side effects. Don’t forget, you can find us over on Instagram and if you have any further questions you can message us there.
