Is turmeric good for the liver? Research into curcumin is exploring its potential role in liver and digestive health, including fatty liver disease, indigestion and IBS. Jane Collins examines the evidence.
š 8 min read
What is turmeric?
Most of us are familiar with turmeric as the spice that adds a vibrant yellow-orange colour and a kick of flavour to curries. One of the main compounds within turmeric is curcumin, which has been widely studied for its biological effects.
Turmeric has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic practices, while modern research is increasingly exploring its effects on liver function, digestion and some gastrointestinal conditions.
Why supporting the health of your liver is important
As The British Liver Trust points out, "The liver is just as vital an organ as the heart, but people often fail to realise the importance of keeping it healthy." Here are just some of the important jobs your liver performs each day:
It helps to facilitate fat digestion
The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine. Bile helps to break fats into smaller droplets so they can be digested and absorbed more effectively.
It helps regulate your blood sugar
The liver works with other organs to help maintain blood glucose levels. When blood glucose is plentiful it can store glucose as glycogen, then release glucose when the body needs it.
It plays a role in immune defence
The liver is also involved in immune function and helps filter substances arriving from the digestive tract, including potentially harmful microorganisms and their products.
Is turmeric good for the liver?
Research into curcumin and liver health is promising, particularly in people with fatty liver disease, but the evidence is not strong enough to recommend turmeric as a treatment for liver disease.
Several clinical trials and systematic reviews have investigated whether curcumin supplementation can influence liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Some analyses have reported reductions in these markers, while others have found more limited effects, and there is considerable variation between the formulations, doses and study designs used.12
Does turmeric cleanse the liver?
There is no good clinical evidence that turmeric acts as a liver cleanser or flushes toxins from the body. Your liver is itself one of the body's main systems for processing substances such as medicines, alcohol and metabolic waste.
Research into curcumin and liver health is instead focused on measurable outcomes such as liver enzymes, liver fat and metabolic markers.
Can turmeric help fatty liver disease?
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), also known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is a condition where excess fat builds up in the liver. It is often associated with being overweight, an unhealthy diet or low levels of physical activity.
Healthy lifestyle changes remain central to managing fatty liver disease. These include maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.3
Curcumin has attracted research interest in this area. In one randomised, placebo-controlled study, people with NAFLD received a curcumin formulation providing 500mg a day for eight weeks. Liver fat severity improved in 78.9% of those receiving curcumin compared with 27.5% of the placebo group.4
However, this was a relatively small, short-term study using a particular curcumin formulation. More recent systematic reviews have produced mixed results, although some have reported improvements in liver enzymes such as ALT and AST.12
Turmeric should therefore not be used in place of medical advice or established management for fatty liver disease. If you have been diagnosed with liver disease or have abnormal liver test results, speak to your doctor before taking a concentrated turmeric or curcumin supplement.
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Is turmeric good for digestion?
Research into turmeric and curcumin for digestive health is growing, but results differ considerably between conditions and studies.
A 2024 systematic review considered 26 studies covering digestive disorders including IBS, inflammatory bowel disease and dyspepsia. The researchers found some potentially positive results, but concluded that the overall evidence remains unclear because many of the studies had a high risk of bias or other methodological limitations.5
Can turmeric help indigestion?
A clinical trial published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine investigated curcumin in people with functional dyspepsia, a recurring form of indigestion. Participants received curcumin, the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole, or a combination of the two for 28 days.6
The study enrolled 206 people, of whom 151 completed it. Symptoms improved in all three groups, and researchers found no significant differences between the groups.
However, the curcumin regimen used in the trial provided 2g a day and the findings relate to that particular intervention. A correction to the study was subsequently published in 2025.7 This study should therefore not be interpreted as evidence that a standard turmeric supplement can replace omeprazole or other medicines.
If you regularly experience indigestion, reflux or unexplained digestive symptoms, speak to a pharmacist or GP rather than stopping or replacing medication yourself.
What about the gut microbiome?
One of the indicators researchers use when studying gut health is the composition and diversity of the gut microbiome.
A small randomised pilot study investigated turmeric, curcumin and placebo supplements in healthy adults. Both turmeric and curcumin appeared to alter participants' gut microbiota, but the response varied substantially between individuals and the study included only a small number of participants.8
These findings are interesting, but considerably more human research is needed before we can say that taking turmeric improves microbiome diversity or overall gut health.
Is turmeric good for IBS?
Turmeric and curcumin are being studied for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but they are not established treatments for the condition.
IBS is a common digestive condition that can cause stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. Diet and lifestyle changes and, where needed, medicines are commonly used to help control symptoms.9
An earlier meta-analysis of three randomised studies involving 326 people found a possible improvement in IBS symptoms with curcumin, but the overall result was not statistically significant and the studies differed considerably from one another.10
The more recent 2024 systematic review also found some potentially positive results for IBS, but concluded that the overall evidence for turmeric in digestive disorders remains unclear because of limitations in the available research.5
If you have persistent digestive symptoms or think you may have IBS, speak to your GP. Other conditions can produce similar symptoms and may need to be ruled out.
What about ulcerative colitis?
Curcumin has also been investigated in inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis. This is a different condition from IBS and requires medical management.
Some studies have investigated curcumin as an addition to conventional treatment, rather than as a replacement for it. The available evidence remains insufficient to recommend turmeric supplements as a standalone treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.5
How can turmeric absorption be improved?
One challenge with standard curcumin is that it is poorly absorbed by the body. Supplement manufacturers use different approaches to improve bioavailability.
One is to combine curcumin with piperine, a compound found in black pepper. Another is to use specialist formulations designed to improve curcumin's solubility and absorption.
This means you do not necessarily need to choose a turmeric supplement containing black pepper. The most appropriate formulation will depend on the individual product and how it has been designed.
You can compare the different formulations available in our turmeric supplements range.
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High-strength turmeric with black pepper extract
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- Provides 475mg curcuminoid compounds
- 5mg BioPerineĀ® black pepper extract to improve absorption
- 40mg vitamin C, which contributes to normal immune function and normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones and cartilage
Is there anyone who shouldn't take turmeric supplements?
Turmeric used as a culinary spice is different from taking a concentrated turmeric or curcumin supplement.
If you take prescribed medication or have a medical condition, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking a turmeric supplement. Individual products may also have additional warnings, so always check the directions and safety information on the pack.
The UK Committee on Toxicity has reviewed reports of liver injury associated with turmeric and curcumin supplements. This does not mean that everyone taking turmeric will experience liver problems, but it is an important consideration when discussing concentrated turmeric supplements in relation to liver health.11
If you experience an adverse reaction after starting a supplement, stop taking it and seek medical advice.
How much turmeric should you take?
There is no single official UK recommended daily dose for turmeric or curcumin supplements. The amount used in research varies widely and different formulations can also differ substantially in absorption.
Follow the directions supplied with the particular supplement you are taking and do not exceed its recommended intake. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
Frequently asked questions
Is turmeric good for the liver?
Some research suggests curcumin may influence certain liver enzymes and other markers in people with fatty liver disease. However, findings are mixed and turmeric is not an established treatment for liver disease.
Does turmeric cleanse or detox the liver?
There is no good clinical evidence that turmeric cleanses the liver or flushes toxins from the body. The liver itself processes substances including medicines, alcohol and metabolic waste.
Can turmeric help fatty liver disease?
Clinical research into curcumin and fatty liver disease has produced some promising findings, but results are inconsistent and more high-quality research is needed. Healthy lifestyle changes remain central to managing fatty liver disease.
Is turmeric good for IBS?
Turmeric and curcumin are being researched for IBS, but the evidence is still limited and inconsistent. They should not be considered established treatments for IBS.
Can turmeric help indigestion?
One clinical trial found similar symptom improvements with a specific high-dose curcumin regimen and omeprazole in people with functional dyspepsia. More evidence is needed, and turmeric supplements should not be used to replace prescribed medicines without medical advice.
Can turmeric supplements affect the liver?
Cases of liver injury associated with turmeric and curcumin supplements have been reported and reviewed by the UK Committee on Toxicity. If you have liver disease, take medication or have another medical condition, speak to a healthcare professional before using a concentrated turmeric supplement.
How much turmeric should you take each day?
There is no single official UK recommended daily dose for turmeric supplements. Follow the directions for the particular product you use and do not exceed its recommended intake.
