The health benefits of turmeric may make it one of the top superfoods. It has been used in India and Asia for thousands of years as a culinary spice that is prized for its medicinal properties. It’s a root vegetable that comes from the same family as ginger and is loaded with anti-inflammatory benefits. It contains the polyphenol curcumin, which is the active compound that gives it its vibrant yellow color. (One caveat: It can stain pretty much anything it comes in contact with!)
We have tested every type of supplement from best multivitamins for women to the best magnesium supplements and the best Vitamin D supplements. Our articles on supplements are informed by nutrition expertise, but the ultimate choice is a personal decision between you and your healthcare provider. Since dietary supplements are not approved by the FDA prior to going to market, it’s important to do your research before adding any to your regimen.
1
Best Overall Turmeric Supplement
Thorne Research Curcumin Phytosome
Pros
- NSF Certified for Sport
- Sustained release formula
Cons
- Multiple doses recommended
Curcumin Phytosome, formerly known as Meriva, has undergone several clinical studies, and — according to Thorne — it may offer 29 times better absorption than regular curcumin for those seeking its benefits. This improved absorption might explain why it works well at lower doses. This supplement is NSF Certified for Sport, which means that the product has been tested to verify that what is on the label is in the bottle and that the product does not contain unsafe levels of contaminants and prohibited substances. As a sustained release formula, it delivers its benefits over a longer period of time.
Thorne says their products are tested at every stage, uses a third-party company for customer issues, and partners with top labs certified by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) to ensure high quality.
This supplement is available in a large capsule size, and the company suggests taking multiple doses throughout the day. It can be purchased in two strengths and is designed to provide anti-inflammatory support for joints, muscles and the GI tract.
Form | Capsules |
---|---|
Dose | 1 to 2 capsules two times daily |
Servings | 60 |
Strength | 500mg, 1000mg Mervia curcumin |
Price per dose | $0.53 |
2
Best Value Turmeric Supplement
Nature Made Turmeric Curcumin
Pros
- USP certified
- Budget friendly
Cons
- Does not contain black pepper
If you’re on a budget, don’t fret: This wallet-friendly pick from Nature Made offers a blend of turmeric root powder and turmeric root extract in a capsule form to provide antioxidant benefits. It contains no artificial flavors, preservatives or colors. It is third-party tested for quality, purity, safety and potency by USP.
This supplement is available in an easy-to-swallow capsule as a 500-milligram dose or as an extra-strength version that contains 1000 milligrams. Unlike many turmeric supplements, this one does not contain black pepper extract, which can be used to increase absorbency but may interact with certain medications.
Form | Capsule |
---|---|
Dose | 1 capsule |
Servings | Available in 60 or 120 servings |
Strength | 500 mg turmeric |
Price per dose | $0.17 |
3
Best Organic Turmeric Supplement
Garden of Life Mykind Organics Extra Strength Turmeric
Pros
- ConsumerLab.com approved
- USDA certified organic
Cons
- Contains probiotics, which some people may not want
Ingredients under the USDA-certified Mykind Organics umbrella from Garden of Life are farm-sourced, Non-GMO Project Verified and do not contain any hard chemicals, fillers or binders. This Extra Strength Turmeric supplement is also approved by ConsumerLab.com for label accuracy and is free of unacceptable levels of lead, cadmium and arsenic.
This pick combines fermented turmeric root with fermented ginger root. It also contains black pepper to aid absorption and a probiotic blend of Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus acidophilus, which may contain anti-inflammatory benefits and promote healthy digestion. Garden of Life is a certified B corporation, which signifies its commitment to social and environmental standards. The supplement is also NSF Certified gluten-free.
Form | Tablet |
---|---|
Dose | 1 tablet |
Servings | Available in 60 or 120 servings |
Strength | 553 mg turmeric blend |
Price per dose | $0.30 |
4
Best Turmeric Supplement with Black Pepper
Gaia Herbs Turmeric Supreme Extra Strength
Pros
- Third-party tested for purity and potency
- Herbs can be traced from farm to shelf
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers complained of digestive discomfort
Gaia Herbs displays a farm-to-table mindset with company headquarters located on a farm in North Carolina close to many of the herbs the company grows and uses in supplements. One of its best-selling product lines is Turmeric Supreme, which is produced using an ISO-certified curcuminoid testing method.
According to the company, this testing ensures the maximum level of accuracy of these beneficial active compounds per serving. This supplement combines 482 milligrams of turmeric with 7 milligrams of black pepper extract for enhanced absorbency.
Gaia Herbs offers a robust traceability program, Meet Your Herbs, where consumers can enter the product ID located on the packaging and trace the supplements from farm to shelves. Through this program, consumers can also learn how the herbs were grown, extracted, harvested and tested. Results of tests the product undergoes to validate its purity and potency are available online as well. As a certified B corporation, Gaia Herbs meets high social and environmental standards. We also appreciated their Scientific Advisory Board, which includes experienced experts in integrative and holistic medicine. Do note, some Amazon reviewers reported digestive discomfort.
Form | Liquid phyto-caps |
---|---|
Dose | 1 capsule, 1 to 2 times daily |
Servings | 120 servings per container |
Strength | 482 mg turmeric (proprietary blend) |
Price per dose | $0.38 – $0.76 |
5
Best Budget Turmeric Supplement
NOW Turmeric Curcumin
Pros
- Third-party approved
- Contains a high amount of turmeric relative to the others on our list
Cons
- Multiple doses recommended
This herbal supplement from NOW contains 665 milligrams of turmeric root extract per serving. NOW is a family-founded company that performs stringent in-house testing on all its products. It is good manufacturing practices (GMP) certified. It is also third-party tested by one of the oldest safety certification companies, Underwriter Laboratories (UL), which certifies labeling accuracy for purity and potency.
This supplement is recommend to be taken once or twice daily. NOW offers several forms of turmeric supplements, including one that contains the patented version of turmeric Mervia, geared toward joint health; one that contains the patented version Longvida for brain health; softgels; and a liquid turmeric extract that can be added to warm water.
Form | Capsule |
---|---|
Dose | 1 capsule, 1 to 2 times per day |
Servings | 60 to 120 per container |
Strength | 665 mg turmeric root extract |
Price per dose | $0.25 – $0.49 |
6
Best Gummy Turmeric Supplement
Nordic Naturals Zero Sugar Curcumin Gummies
Pros
- Free from artificial colors and flavors
- A good option for vegans
Cons
- Lower amount of turmeric per serving than others on this list
If you don’t like swallowing pills, this is the supplement for you. Nordic Naturals curcumin gummies contain a patented form of turmeric known as Longvida that is used to increase bioavailability, meaning better absorption into the bloodstream.
Gummy supplements are often loaded with added sweeteners, but this mango-flavored version contains zero sugar, making it an option for individuals looking to support blood sugar balance. Take note: It does contain the sugar alcohol xylitol, which may cause digestive discomfort for some people, so they might choose to avoid it.
It is vegan and free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives and contains 200 milligrams of curcumin per serving, which is lower than some of the other picks on this list. This choice is also Non-GMO and vegan.
Our experts noted that Nordic Naturals products follow Good Manufacturing Practices, are third-party tested for quality, purity, and potency, and each product comes with a Certificate of Analysis.
Form | Gummy |
---|---|
Dose | 2 gummies |
Servings | 30 per container |
Strength | 200 mg Longvida curcumin |
Price per dose | $0.85 |
7
Best Turmeric Supplement for Athletes
Momentous Turmeric Ultra
Pros
- NSF Certified for Sport
- Informed Sport certified
Cons
- Capsules can be difficult for some to swallow
Thanks to the rigorous testing, this Turmeric Ultra supplement from Momentous is our top choice for athletes. It is NSF certified for sport and Informed Sport certified as free of over 250 banned substances — and each individual batch of supplements is tested. According to Jeff Byers, CEO of Momentous and a former NFL athlete, the supplements are double-tested because different sports leagues have different preferences.
For better absorption, Turmeric Ultra contains Meriva curcumin instead of black pepper or the black pepper extract piperine because, according to Byers, black pepper may interact with certain medications. Meriva is a patented form of turmeric extract that is designed for better absorption, and Momentous claims it may provide up to 29 times better absorption than non-patented versions of curcumin.
Clinical studies indicate that Meriva curcumin may be helpful in the treatment and management of osteoarthritis. This supplement comes in capsule form, which some reviewers find on the larger size for swallowing.
Form | Capsules |
---|---|
Dose | 2 capsules |
Servings | 30 per container |
Strength | 1,000 mg Meriva curcumin |
Price per dose | $1.16 |
8
Best Turmeric Supplement with Essential Oil
Life Extension Super Bio-Curcumin Turmeric Extract
Pros
- ConsumerLab.com approved
- Non-GMO
Cons
- Contains a lower amount of turmeric than other picks
Super Bio-Curcumin from Life Extension is an approved pick by ConsumerLab.com and passes its tests for purity, potency and labeling accuracy. This pick contains BCM-95 Bio-Curcumin extract for better absorbability. According to the company, BCM-95 stays in your bloodstream longer and is up to seven times more absorbable than standard curcumin. Each capsule contains 400 milligrams of BCM-95 turmeric complex and essential oils from turmeric root. Although it has less turmeric than some other options, the essential oils add the distinctive aroma of the spice.
This product is Non-GMO and available in multiple strengths. Life Extension also sells multiple turmeric offerings including turmeric paired with black cumin oil for better immune health and turmeric paired with ginger to complement turmeric’s health benefits.
Form | Capsule |
---|---|
Dose | 1 capsule |
Servings | 60 |
Strength | 400 mg BCM-95 Bio-Curcumin extract |
Price per dose | $0.41 |