Does Turmeric Kill Probiotics? (learn which strains)

Have you heard of turmeric benefits but are confused about whether it would kill the good bacteria in your gut; you will find the answer in this article.

Turmeric, a spice derived from the roots of the Curcuma longa herb, provides many health benefits due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial abilities. But the interesting fact is that it only harms bad bacteria and acts as a growth promotor for gut-friendly bacteria, aka. the probiotics.

In the following headings, you will find out how an anti-microbial agent can promote the growth of bacteria. Also, I have reviewed some turmeric probiotic shots- the new gut supplements on the market.

Hence, give it a read and find out how turmeric interacts with your gut bacteria;

Does Turmeric Kill Good Gut Bacteria? (aka Probiotics)

No, turmeric does not harm good gut bacteria.Turmeric components have anti-microbial properties, which is why it is used to prevent and cure diseases in Ayurvedic preparations for centuries. 

Scientific reviews like this from the Journal of Food Science and Technology prove that turmeric extracts reduce the growth rate of pathogenic bacteria like E. coli and S. typhi.

These findings give rise to a logical question: if turmeric is anti-bacterial, it must also kill probiotics (gut-friendly microbes). However, reality turns out to be totally opposite.

Turmeric ingredients have no negative effects on probiotic bacteria. Instead, these components act synergistically with gut microbes and improve the efficacy of digestive enzymes and absorption of nutrients from the intestinal lining.

Is It Ok To Take Turmeric And A Probiotic Together?

Yes, taking probiotics and turmeric together is completely safe and brings positive health outcomes.

Turmeric has no adverse effect on gut micro-biome or gut-friendly bacteria taken via food or supplements. It is clinically proven that turmeric components and probiotic supplements do not reduce each other’s efficacy. 

Instead, the spice ingredients (being natural prebiotic components) help these microbes flourish, serving as a food source for probiotics. That is why I recommend using turmeric and probiotics together more often because it’s safe and more beneficial than taking probiotics alone. 

Besides supplying prebiotics, turmeric itself uplifts gut health through its anti-inflammatory properties and rich micronutrient profile.

To sum it up, the turmeric-probiotic combination only shows rare and mild side effects, which are easily tolerated in healthy persons.

In the next section, I have enlisted the possible benefits and side effects of taking probiotics with turmeric;

Turmeric And Probiotics Together – Benefits & Side Effects

Turmeric And Probiotics Benefits 

You can get the following health benefits by using probiotics with turmeric;

1. Turmeric feeds probiotic strains. 

The most evident benefit of turmeric for the gut microbiome is that it contains prebiotic ingredients. Its main components are curcuminoids like curcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin and demethoxycurcumin.

A recent study proved that probiotic bacteria eat curcumin in turmeric extracts, and their growth rate multiplied after using it.

Like Curcumin, Vanillin and its derivatives like Vanillic acid are abundant in turmeric. These molecules act as growth stimulators for probiotics and speed up their colonization process.

Research shows that Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus grow better when provided with a Vanillin-containing growth medium.

Besides gut microbiome improvement, other turmeric and probiotic benefits for your physical and mental health become manifolds by using them together.

2. Anti-inflammatory effects

Both turmeric and gut-friendly strains suppress inflammatory reactions, and taking them together will provide even better results.

The research conducted in 2020 to analyze the effect of Lactobacillus probiotics with turmeric powder for the treatment of allergic inflammation of lung passages revealed that the combination helped reduce inflammation. This combined efficacy of probiotics and turmeric proved how useful this food-based drug for inflammatory diseases could be.

3. Weight loss

Good digestion plays a key role in better weight management, and turmeric and probiotics improve digestive abilities. That is why you often find them as a part of weight loss therapies.

Probiotic supplementation reduces body mass and BMI, as concluded by research conducted on 1931 participants.

Turmeric helps with fat burn by increasing the rate of energy expenditure and lipid metabolism. Its weight loss efficiency is explained in this International Journal of Molecular Sciences publication.

It states that curcumin has oxidative properties and interferes with fat mass formation (adipocyte differentiation). Thus, hinders and slows down fat deposition in the body.

Hence, if you are on your weight loss journey, turmeric probiotics with turmeric would help you achieve your fitness goals sooner.

Though turmeric and probiotic have benefits, this combination may not be a good idea in a few cases. 

The following are the side effects of probiotics and turmeric;

Turmeric And Probiotics Side Effects

The safety profile of both probiotics and turmeric is quite strong, as they are rarely associated with side effects. And even when these adversities appear, most of them are mild.

Some of these negative effects are the same for turmeric and probiotics. Hence, their chances are increased by using probiotics with turmeric.

1. Upset Stomach

Initial supplementation of either turmeric or probiotics causes mild symptoms of gut unrest. 

This usually happens because your gut machinery is not familiar with new microbes or spice ingredients. With probiotics, your stomach walls start producing more gastric juice to kill unfamiliar bacteria.

On the other side, turmeric ingredients also increase gastric secretions. 

When combined, it can become an uncomfortable experience to take probiotics with turmeric.

2. Mild Nausea

Probiotic supplements may cause nausea when people start using them. This queasy feeling is mild and short-lived and occurs when your gut is not yet accustomed to the probiotic strains. 

Probiotic nausea may be caused by stomach reflux, allergic reactions, or histamine intolerance. Similar results are reported from turmeric as it increases gastric acid production in the stomach. People feel nausea in the initial days or with high doses. 

So, you may become nauseous if you are not a regular user of turmeric or probiotics and start taking both dietary supplements together. However, as I mentioned earlier, these effects are temporary and usually fade within a week. Hence, it’s a safe and beneficial combo overall.

But it may seem daunting to cook to add turmeric and fermented probiotic foods to your diet. Probiotic turmeric shots can prove to be a way out in this case.

Turmeric Probiotic Shot – Worth it?

If you ask me whether these recently-introduced products are worth trying, my answer would be a big YES!

Here are the science-based reviews of popular turmeric probiotic shots;

1. Suja Organic Immunity Defense Shot

Active Probiotic Strains: Bacillus coagulans

Benefits:

This product is number one on my list because it is packed with health-boosting plant extracts.

Besides probiotic bacteria, it contains 5000 mg of turmeric juice, and other ingredients include Ginger extracts, Echinacea tea, Coconut water, Pineapple, Orange and Lemon juice, Acerola cherry extracts, and ground black pepper.

Hence, this shot gives you all types of micronutrients, anti-oxidants, and co-factors. 

Coming to its probiotic ingredient, you will find Bacillus coagulans colonies with this drink. This bacterium is well-known for the treatment of gut diseases like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and diarrhea.

Microbial research confirms that B. coagulans improves the host immune system, metabolism, and gut microbiota composition. 

The product got its name from the immunity-boosting effect of this bacterial strain and citrus fruit extracts.

Cost

Suja probiotic shot is available from their website in four packages starting from a pack of 20. This pack is priced at $79.99, costing $3.99 per shot. 

However, you can save money by opting for a subscription or buying a larger pack.

2. Live Don’t Inflame Probiotic Shot

Active Bacterial Strains: Bacillus Subtilis

Benefits 

Don’t inflame helps boost your gut’s microbial count, providing 2 billion live colony-forming units of probiotic bacteria in each serving.

It contains Bacillus Subtilis, a bacterium that has strong anti-viral properties. Hence, it will safeguard your gut from viral infections.

Plus, the scientific review shows that it provides several other health benefits, including growth performance, disease resistance, and improved digestion.

It is completely vegan and contains fermented tea extracts in addition to 300mg turmeric juice.

It also works well if you are on a low-calorie diet because it contains no calories, carbs, or fats.

Cost

Its price of $35.99 for a 12-pack bundle and $69.99 for a 24-pack bundle.

FAQs

Is turmeric a pre or probiotic?

Turmeric contains curcumin, vanillin, and its derivative compounds. These compounds act as prebiotics or growth stimulators for probiotic bacteria. Hence, it is a multi-prebiotic food.

Does turmeric kill bad bacteria?

Yes, turmeric kills harmful bacteria and limits the multiplication of pathogens in blood.

Research has proven its efficacy in damaging bacterial membranes in many infectious germs, including;

• Staphylococcus aureus (causes skin infections, pneumonia, etc.)
• Enterococcus faecalis (prostatitis, wound infections)
• Escherichia coli (causes urinary tract infections and GI inflammation)
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa (respiratory infections, dermatitis)
• Salmonella Typhi (typhoid fever)

What supplements not to take with turmeric?

It’s better to avoid turmeric if you are taking;

• A blood-thinning supplement or medicine. Turmeric has the same effect, and combined intensity may lead to excessive bleeding and bruises from small wounds.
• Herbal supplements like damiana, alpha-lipoic acid, fenugreek, guar gum, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, and Siberian ginseng because their combination with turmeric may lower blood sugar dangerously.
• Sulfasalazine, Azulfidine, Talinolol, Amlodipine, Norvasc, Tamoxifen, Nolvadex, or anti-cancerous drugs because turmeric tends to reduce their efficacy.

Can you take probiotics and turmeric at the same time?

Yes, taking probiotics with turmeric is recommended for good gut health.

The Golden spice and probiotics improve digestive functions, heal gut microbiome colonies, and prevent inflammatory diseases.

Final – Does turmeric kill good gut bacteria?

Gut-friendly bacteria improve the gut microbiome composition, leading to improved gut health, inflammation resistance, stronger immunity, and better skin and mental well-being. Similarly, turmeric improves enzymatic function and nutrient absorption, enhancing gut health. Also, it has anti-microbial properties to kill germs.

However, it does not harm good bacteria; rather provides them with prebiotics to flourish in intestinal grooves.

Hence, taking probiotics with turmeric is a good idea to improve your health. This combination positively affects gut microbiome composition, metabolism, and digestion.