There’s nothing wrong with being over-cautious when it comes to supplements. As more and more pills and powders flood the market, you’ve got to be sure you’re getting a product you can trust. So here’s the lowdown on choosing organic turmeric – and why it matters.
Why Organic?
The health benefits of organic food are well recorded. On top of being free of chemical pesticides and any other nasties, a 2003 study in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry found that eating organic foods may even reduce your risk of developing cancer.
As well as potentially reducing the risk of illness, organic foods are often more nutritious in their own right. One four year study found that organic fruit and vegetables contain up to 40 percent more antioxidants and higher levels of iron and minerals than non-organic produce.
So it makes sense that similar benefits should apply to organic supplements. But whilst we rarely need to question the organic credibility of fruit and vegetables we buy from the grocery store, organic supplements should be treated with more diligence.
In an industry that is poorly regulated, consumers should be aware that supposedly ‘organic’ supplements may not always be what they claim. You can read more about organic supplement labelling here.
What is Organic Turmeric?
The answer to this one is simple. Organic turmeric is free from pesticides, fertilisers or any other chemicals. Instead, the plant is grown in natural manure, using organic farming methods such as crop rotation and natural insect control to ensure a healthy crop.
These tightly controlled methods are a time-consuming alternative to cheaply available chemicals, which accounts for the higher cost of organic turmeric.
How to Spot Organic Turmeric
Look for a Stamp of Approval
To easiest way to ensure that your brand of turmeric is organic is to check that it reaches the independent quality standards set out by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). If the product has been approved by a reputable third party it will have a USDA certification, which the producer can display on the packaging. The mark of approval from the USDA is given by the Quality Assurance International Organic Certification (QAI), so keep an eye out for their name or logo on the packaging.
Premium organic products in the US are also likely to have certification from the independent group Organic Certifiers. They are one of the largest certification agencies in the US and pride themselves on providing reliable certifications that enable customers to make informed decisions.
Of course, if you’re buying turmeric from outside the US it’s worth checking which independent body is responsible for certifying organic food. This way you’ll know exactly what to look out for.
Keep it Pure
Proper certification from a reliable body is a sure fire way of ensuring that you’re buying the real deal when it comes to organic turmeric. But there are other things to be aware of when buying your supplements. Chief among them are fillers and additives. These are sometimes used to pad out the product, making it cheaper to produce, but less effective.
Organic supplements have the benefit of being free from synthetic fillers and are therefore easier for your body to absorb.
In the same vein, try to buy vegetable-based capsules over gelatin. As well as being vegetarian-friendly, these capsules are 100 percent natural and retain their shape better when exposed to warmer temperatures.
Look Out for Food Safety Standards
Finally, the organic certification sticker shouldn’t be the only stamp of approval you look for when buying organic turmeric. As with any food product, it’s important to check that the product reaches international food safety standards. There are several boxes to tick, including Hazards and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), and ISO certifications. Check that the producer meets these requirements to ensure that you’re buying a quality and safe product.
If you want to be sure you're buying the very best turmeric curcumin supplements, read more about how you can identify the most potent products on the market.
Looking for a great organic turmeric brand? TRUCURC is a premium organic product grown on organic farms in India. This highly concentrated product uses only the best quality ingredients to maximise its health benefits. In fact, it's the most potent organic turmeric available, with 95 per cent curuminoids. Find out more about TRUCURC here. We also recommend our organic turmeric powder, great for smoothies and recipes!
