Is Turmeric Acidic or Alkaline? (Turmeric Juice, Powder)

Turmeric is a historical spice that has been used for ages in Indian cooking and Ayurvedic medicines.

If you go through older medical textbooks, turmeric was used for treating wounds and various skin problems because of its antiseptic properties. 

The active ingredient curcumin in turmeric gives it its yellow-orange color and its medicinal properties.

Aside from all the advantages, the most important question is whether turmeric is acidic or alkaline.

Because we all suffer from acid reflux, and acidic foods may aggravate the symptoms. To avoid such unusual pain, limit your intake of highly acidic foods.

In short, turmeric is more alkaline and less acidic, though it varies depending on such factors, which will be discussed later.

That is why the article is all about turmeric, its acidity, and which form of turmeric is more beneficial during acid reflux, with a much more exciting answer covered here.

Is Turmeric acidic or Alkaline? (What Is The PH)

Turmeric’s pH is in the range of 7.2 to 9, but it can be higher or lower depending on the quality of turmeric and how it was processed. 

It is not a natural acid, and its pronounced yellow color makes it evident that it has alkalizing properties (this is one of the main reasons we like to use it in our cooking).

We can find turmeric (Curcuma longa) listed as alkaline in some lists and as acidic in others. This is because its pH can vary depending on the quality of turmeric, how it was processed, what was added to it after processing, etc.

One thing for sure is that turmeric is a very alkalizing food.

You should know that the pH value does not reflect the amount of alkaline-forming elements it contains. 

We can find different products with high pH (alkaline) or low pHs (acidic), such as limes and oranges, but their effect on our body will be very different.

Read More– Coconut Water Acidic or Not

Is turmeric juice acidic?

Turmeric juice is becoming very popular among holistic medicine experts and turmeric fans worldwide. 

This juice is full of health benefits, but drinking turmeric juice every day may make your body more acidic – which you don’t want – unless you’re following a specific diet plan. So, we’ll investigate this issue deeper.

Turmeric is alkaline, not acidic. Obviously, turmeric has an alkaline effect on the body but drinking it every day may cause acidity. 

This explanation is simple enough – your body can’t digest the vast amount of nutrients included in this juice externally. Your stomach simply doesn’t have enough enzymes to process that amount of nutrients.

Turmeric juice should be diluted. Firstly, the best way to drink turmeric every day is by diluting it. 

Suppose you really want to enjoy the benefits of drinking a concentrated form of this juice. In that case, you should mix it with other ingredients – especially those that help neutralize acids in your stomach, for instance, lemon water. 

Adding less water to your turmeric shot is another good way to avoid acidity.

Drinking turmeric juice every day may take its toll on your digestive system, even if it’s diluted. 

This is why you should combine this alkaline wonder drink with other ingredients that have an acidic effect (and make sure you don’t drink it on an empty stomach).

Turmeric juice is good for acidity, but drinking a shot of turmeric every day is a great way to improve your health and get rid of some minor or even serious issues. 

Just make sure you don’t drink the concentrated form every day because it will cause acidity – even if you drink it with acidic ingredients. 

If you drink a couple of shots per week, you can enjoy its health benefits without any side effects.

Do you know? Turmeric juice is more healthy than Apple juice because of its acidic nature.

Is Raw turmeric and turmeric powder acidic?

Raw turmeric does have some acidity, but it has less than lemon. A small amount of raw turmeric powder is not acidic enough to harm the body yet gives a nice flavor for dishes that need just a little bit added.

If your recipe requires larger amounts, use the non-raw powder form instead to avoid too much acidity.

If you are using the powder for therapeutic reasons, then use the raw form to avoid altering the chemical components of turmeric by cooking it too long. A slight acidity is not harmful either if you need it in your recipe. 

The acidity could also give your recipe that unique zing. The foods or dishes prepared with it are more flavorful.

Turmeric powder is usually non-acidic, but the raw root form of turmeric has some acidity, which helps to make it bitter. It makes sense because plants have evolved to survive against external threats.

Turmeric is bitter because it contains a compound called curcumin, and the plant has evolved this mechanism to protect its roots by producing chemicals that ward off predators and insects.

Don’t Forget to Check if You have Acidity and You Want to Eat Oatmeal

Is turmeric solution acidic?

Turmeric solution is not acidic; it has a pH level of around 7. Many foods are alkaline to balance the acidity of the body.

Does turmeric cause acidity?

The answer is No; turmeric does not cause acidity. 

Turmeric actually helps to prevent and treat gastric problems such as acidity and indigestion caused by excessive stomach acids. 

Many people are strictly advised to take antacids after having any spicy food, but curcumin in turmeric is an excellent stomach soother and can help prevent the same.

Turmeric may cause acidity if taken in excess or when you have a problem of hyperacidity or gastritis; then turmeric should be avoided.

The chemistry behind it: 

Curcuminoids in turmeric inhibit histamine release, which is a gastric stimulant. Mild irritation of the stomach lining, ulcers, and even heartburn can be prevented by eating just a pinch of turmeric every day.

Turmeric also functions as an anti-inflammatory agent and reduces inflammation in the stomach lining, thus preventing acidity. It reduces discomfort caused by hyperacidity by inhibiting the release of hydrochloric acid.

Turmeric on Acid Reflux?

Many Americans suffer from acid reflux disease (also known as heartburn). And many don’t realize that turmeric can help.

Turmeric also has antacid effects that can ease acid reflux symptoms within an hour after consumption. 

And unlike antacids on the market, turmeric doesn’t cause constipation. That’s because it stimulates the contraction of the gall bladder, which releases bile into the intestine to help digestion. 

This increases peristalsis and helps push food through your system faster.

Turmeric for Acid Reflux: How to Use Turmeric as a Natural Remedy

The simplest way to use turmeric for acid reflux is to spice in your favorite dishes. 

Cook with it, sprinkle it on food before serving, or add some ground turmeric to a cup of warm water and drink it.

Some turmeric supplements are available on the market, but there’s no solid evidence that they’re any more effective than curcumin powder. 

If you have GERD, you might want to start by trying turmeric as a spice in your food first before purchasing a supplement. 

Simply make your doctor aware of any dietary modifications or new supplements you want to take.

Does turmeric make your body alkaline?

As the pH of the human body is 7.4, or weakly alkaline, and we need to keep it within a tight range between 7.35 and 7.45 in order to maintain our health, many people assume that any substance which has a pH higher than 7, such as turmeric, will necessarily make our body more alkaline and beneficial even if we consume it in the form of a supplement.

Read More- Cumin acidic or alkaline

What causes turmeric’s yellow color, and does it cause them to be acidic?

Turmeric is famous for its color. This yellow root contains a pigment known as curcumin which gives it a bright yellow color when dried and processed.

It’s not known whether this makes them acidic or not, but what we can tell you is that turmeric, in general, is an alkaline food, with only 1 being slightly acid-forming.

Your body’s pH is determined by many factors, including your lifestyle and diet.

Why Turmeric Is Good For You?

Turmeric has a pH not very far from the neutral point 7, which means it is neither acidic nor alkaline. 

This is why turmeric should be considered a healthy spice instead of other spices like black pepper, cayenne pepper, or chili powder, which are alkaline.

Turmeric has natural anti-inflammatory properties which protect you from heart disease, heartburn, and many more chronic diseases.

Curcumin has shown potential in the treatment of depression.

Wrap upon Turmeric and its nature

Turmeric is alkaline-forming and helps reduce the acidity in your body, not increase it! 

However, Indian diets are generally high in refined carbohydrates, and these foods will make your body more acidic, so you may want to check out why our bodies become acidic and what we can do about it.

The main active element in turmeric, curcumin, has an alkalinizing impact on the body.

However, when curcumin is combined with auxins (plant hormones) and certain proteins found in turmeric, it can act as an annoyance for some people. 

This does not mean that these products are bad or harmful. On the contrary, it is well known that curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. 

We should not forget that everyone has different sensitivities.