Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should be careful with quite a few foods, and this is especially true with spices, but what about taking turmeric while breastfeeding?
Even though the spice, which originally comes from India, has many positive properties and is also used in medicine, pregnant women should only consume very small amounts of turmeric or avoid it altogether.
There is a lack of long-term medical studies and researchers do not agree, so turmeric should be avoided during pregnancy.
The same rules apply to most foods during breastfeeding, but there are some who say that turmeric has a beneficial effect on milk production.
Curry and turmeric are widely used in Indian and Thai dishes, and if you are a fan of these foods, you may be wondering whether your baby might be ingesting harmful ingredients through breast milk.
Turmeric has been found to have a positive effect on fertility and can therefore help women fulfill their desire to have children. Is this true?
What ingredients does turmeric contain, what ailments does it help with, and what side effects can it have?
Why is turmeric a concern during pregnancy , and what about breastfeeding? You’ll find the answers in this article.
Turmeric during breastfeeding – What is turmeric and what does it help with?
Turmeric – Curcuma longa or Curcuma xanthorrizae in Latin – is responsible for the yellowish color of curry.
The rhizomatous rootstock is used not only in cooking but also as a herbal medicine.
The tuber’s yellowish color is due to the curcuminoids and curcumin it contains. The root also contains essential oil, which gives it its distinctive aroma.
1. Promotes digestion
Turmeric root is traditionally used to aid digestion because its compounds are said to stimulate the liver to secrete more bile acids, which make fat more digestible and thus counteract indigestion, bloating, and fullness.
2. Has an anti-inflammatory effect
Studies have shown that the curcumin contained in turmeric has an anti-inflammatory effect because it probably binds to enzymes in the body that promote inflammation and blocks them.
Inflammatory bowel diseases can probably take a more favorable course thanks to turmeric, but larger studies are lacking.
Analyses have shown that turmeric can also be helpful for joint pain and stiffness.
3. Prevents cancer and Alzheimer’s disease
Laboratory experiments have shown that curcumin has an anti-cancer effect and prevents the accumulation of certain protein complexes in the brain that probably promote the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
However, human studies still need to be conducted before the laboratory results can be considered evidence.
Turmeric is rich in many valuable nutrients, such as proteins, fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins (B complex, E, C and K) and minerals (iron, potassium, calcium, manganese, copper, magnesium, zinc, sodium) and is therefore celebrated as a veritable superfood.
Turmeric during breastfeeding – Why some researchers warn against consumption during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Large amounts of turmeric in the diet during pregnancy are suspected of causing cramps and bleeding in the uterus, which in the worst case can lead to premature birth or miscarriage.
Turmeric belongs to the ginger family, so both tubers have a similar effect and can also lead to premature labor.
Therefore, doctors expressly warn against taking dietary supplements that contain curcumin in highly concentrated form.
However, ginger is often used as a home remedy for nausea in naturopathy and especially in traditional Chinese medicine .
Other medical experts are of the opinion that both ginger and turmeric are not harmful in small quantities.
In fact, the labor-inducing effect that turmeric is said to have can even be desirable if the baby shows no signs of wanting to come into the world after the expected due date.
There are also home remedies for such cases, such as the labor cocktail .
Before luring a baby into labor with various spices such as turmeric, cinnamon , ginger or a homemade labor cocktail, a gynecologist or midwife should of course be consulted.
But if the baby is already born and is breastfed, there is no reason why you should avoid turmeric, right?
Unfortunately, researchers do not agree on this point, and while some advise avoiding turmeric as a precaution because there is not enough research yet, others believe that small amounts used to season food are harmless.
The fact that turmeric, along with anise, fennel and cumin, is even contained in some breastfeeding teas also suggests that the latter could be right.
However, you should also avoid peppermint, sage, parsley and hibiscus in teas, as these plants are said to have a milk-inhibiting effect.
Whether turmeric root can actually boost milk production in breastfeeding women has not yet been scientifically proven.
So, while breastfeeding, you should not drink more than one cup of so-called “golden milk” and not every day.
The drink Turmeric Latte or Golden Milk is made with turmeric (about 1 teaspoon), honey, cinnamon and milk, is extremely delicious and is a good alternative to coffee or tea.
Additionally, as a precaution, you should avoid seasoning your child’s complementary food with turmeric, as the child’s sensitive organism could react with gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea, and inhibition of blood clotting.
However, small amounts for flavoring, such as cinnamon, are considered harmless.
So, whether you’re breastfeeding or have already introduced solid foods, you should simply observe your baby to see how he or she reacts to the spice.
Turmeric during breastfeeding – Turmeric powder can actually help you get pregnant
Several studies have shown that curcumin has a positive effect on fertility in both women and men. Curcumin regulates estrogen levels.
Estrogen helps the pituitary gland secrete a specific hormone that, along with progesterone, triggers ovulation. In men, curcumin supports sperm production.
However, caution is also advised if you are trying to have children, as too much turmeric can have a detrimental effect. In men, too much of a good thing can lead to a lowering of testosterone levels and a reduction in sperm motility, and in women it can inhibit ovulation.
High amounts even have a contraceptive effect, which was known in India and some other cultures long ago.
A high dose is considered to be 8 to 12 grams per day, although the World Health Organization considers the consumption of approximately 3 grams per day to be safe for adults.
Turmeric during breastfeeding – What else should you consider?
Turmeric has become a real hype in recent years and its health-promoting effects are praised.
However, researchers have concluded that curcumin is not very water-soluble and only a small amount of it is absorbed through the intestines.
For example, not enough curcumin is extracted from tea or golden milk to have a health effect in the body.
In addition, the yellow plant substance is quickly excreted from the body via the liver.
If you suffer from liver disease or discomfort, or perhaps have gallstones, you should avoid turmeric.
If you are prone to stomach upset, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea, you should not take turmeric, as it could make the symptoms worse.
If you are taking aspirin or medications containing acetylsalicylic acid, you should also avoid turmeric because interactions may occur and turmeric may further reduce the clotting process and trigger bleeding.
Final thoughts
Since there are no sufficient studies and solid results regarding the effects of turmeric on expectant mothers and breastfeeding babies, researchers do not agree on the consumption of turmeric during both pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Turmeric is by far not the only food that has not been thoroughly scientifically studied, and I don’t think you have to avoid consuming turmeric in small amounts while breastfeeding.
Some even say that the spice has a stimulating effect on milk production, although this has not yet been scientifically proven.
The World Health Organization considers around 3 grams of turmeric per day to be safe for adults.
Only if you are taking certain medications, have liver and stomach problems, and are sensitive to the tuber’s ingredients, should you stay away from turmeric.
Otherwise, you can observe how your baby reacts to breast milk after consuming turmeric.
In the right amount, the root is said to have a health-promoting effect, positively influence digestion, inhibit inflammation and can even prevent cancer and Alzheimer’s.
So if you enjoy eating at an Indian or Thai restaurant, you can enjoy it, provided you don’t eat such spicy food every day.
And if you’re already planning to have more children, turmeric can help you with ovulation.
So I wish you bon appetit!
