Turmeric, curcumin and curcuminoids
Turmeric is the ground rhizome of Curcuma longa, the yellow spice in curry. Its coloured compounds are curcuminoids: curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. In root powder they are a small part of the weight. In an extract standardised to 95% they are almost the whole capsule.
| Form | What it is | In this category |
|---|---|---|
| Root powder | Dried, ground rhizome | Swanson 720 mg, Swanson with black pepper |
| Standardised extract | Extract with 95% curcuminoids, in a sunflower oil softgel | NOW Foods 475 mg |
| Blend with boswellia | Turmeric rhizome with Boswellia serrata resin | Swanson Boswellia and Turmeric |
Turmeric products compared
| Product | Form | Daily dose | Amount | Pack lasts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOW Foods Turmeric Curcumin 475 mg, 120 softgels | 95% curcuminoid extract | 1 softgel with a meal | 475 mg extract (451 mg curcuminoids) | 120 days |
| Swanson Turmeric 720 mg, 30 or 100 capsules | rhizome powder | 2 capsules with a meal | 1440 mg turmeric | 15 or 50 days |
| Swanson Turmeric and Black Pepper, 60 capsules | rhizome powder with black pepper, vegetarian capsule | 1 capsule | 600 mg turmeric, 5 mg black pepper | 60 days |
| Swanson Boswellia and Turmeric, 60 capsules | rhizome powder with boswellia resin | 1 capsule | 300 mg turmeric, 300 mg boswellia | 60 days |
Compare curcuminoids with curcuminoids and powder with powder. 1440 mg of root powder and 475 mg of extract are two different products, not a big dose and a small one.
What black pepper is doing there
Black pepper contains piperine, which is added to some turmeric products. Piperine is also known to affect how the body processes some medicines. That is one more reason to ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you take any.
Health claims
There are no EU-authorised health claims for turmeric, curcumin or boswellia. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 only authorised wording may be used, so this category does not promise anything about joints, digestion or any other effect, and it is not a substitute for medicines. If a seller does promise this, it is not an approved EU claim. The Boswellia and Turmeric product is also listed among the joint supplements. Another plant product in capsules with no authorised claims is black seed oil.
Check before you take it
The labels are specific. NOW Foods: if you have a liver or gallbladder condition, or take medicines, talk to a doctor first, and the product is not for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Swanson turmeric products: not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and a doctor should be asked first if you have or have had gallbladder problems. On Boswellia and Turmeric and the 720 mg product, do not use with liver or gallbladder problems or medicines without consulting a doctor.
Questions
Turmeric or curcumin, which one?
Turmeric means the whole root powder, curcumin or curcuminoids means the coloured compounds, concentrated in the NOW Foods extract. Look at the amount of curcuminoids on the label, not the word on the front.
Do I need black pepper?
Only the Swanson Turmeric and Black Pepper product contains it. It is not required to take the other products.
How do I take it?
NOW Foods: 1 softgel a day with a meal and a glass of water. Swanson 720 mg: 2 capsules a day with a meal. The others: 1 capsule a day.
Who should ask a doctor first?
Anyone with liver or gallbladder problems, anyone taking medicines, and pregnant or breastfeeding women should follow the label warnings and ask a doctor.
Is it vegan?
The NOW Foods softgel and the Swanson 720 mg and Boswellia and Turmeric capsules use gelatin. The Swanson Turmeric and Black Pepper capsule is made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.
Sources
- Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 (nutrition and health claims)
- Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 (permitted health claims)
- EFSA: Health claims
Content reviewed by Inese Kalniņa, dietitian.
2026-10-08