That said, using turmeric powder (over fresh ones) is preferable in many cases. There’s less preparation time and no moisture, so it’s great for use in various dishes <\/strong>and beverages<\/strong>. Plus, it not only adds flavor and fragrance but also lends a warm, golden color to whatever it\u2019s added to. Turmeric\u2019s fame is so ubiquitous in India that their dietary intake averages at around 200-1000mg per day (1<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nowadays, turmeric\u2019s popularity is global. Its use is also no longer limited to food products. You\u2019ll find it in various cosmetic products<\/strong>, such as turmeric serums, creams, scrubs, masks, facial washes, moisturizers, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Curcumin may be the most well-known component of turmeric. But it\u2019s actually only a tiny percentage of what makes up turmeric, as you can see below (2<\/a>):<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, where does curcumin fit in? Is the last bullet point above (curcuminoids) a typo?!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, no, it isn\u2019t. Curcumin is a curcuminoid<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Curcuminoids are active compounds composed of 3 types (3<\/a>):<\/p>\n\n\n\n Curcuminoid content isn\u2019t<\/strong> measured on ordinary turmeric powder, but it is measured AND standardized on curcumin supplements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many different brands of turmeric powder, which you’ll find in grocery stores, health shops, and various online shops. The powder looks something like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n To answer the question presented in this section, we need to look at the characteristics of ordinary turmeric powder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A typical serving of ordinary turmeric powder is about \u00bd teaspoon or 2g. You can take more or less than this serving size. But the problem remains \u2013 turmeric contains only a tiny amount of its bioactive component, curcumin<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another problem is that the curcumin content in ordinary turmeric powder is not standardized to any amount<\/strong>, making it highly variable and unpredictable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If there\u2019s only a tiny amount of curcumin per serving, then you may not be able to experience any of its benefits, such as the 10 benefits of curcumin phytosome we\u2019ve discussed here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And the biggest problem of all?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Curcumin (from ordinary or unenhanced turmeric powder) is absorbed very poorly by the body <\/strong>(4<\/a>).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In one study, researchers found no trace of curcumin in the serum of volunteers who took up to 8g of unenhanced curcumin. When they increased the dose to 10g-12g, only then did low levels of curcumin appear in the blood tests (5<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n For these reasons, ordinary turmeric powder cannot be the best. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To qualify as \u201cthe best turmeric powder,\u201d there should be a standardized amount of curcumin in the powder and absorption rates need to be improved as well.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, fortunately, many turmeric\/curcumin supplements standardize their curcumin content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Check the product label and look at the supplement facts section. Here’s what it looks like on our Intelligent Labs Meriva Curcumin Phytosome 500<\/a><\/strong> label (note: this is the USA version):<\/p>\n\n\n\n We wanted to make a quick comparison. So we looked at a few curcumin supplements that printed their curcuminoid content on the label: <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat are the components of turmeric powder?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Are there any problems with ordinary turmeric powder? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"turmeric](\"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/turmeric-powder-in-spoon.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nAre there any products that standardize the curcumin content?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"standardized](\"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/standardized-curcumin-content-in-meriva-500-1-1024x406.jpg\")
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