Best curcumin: comparison & buying guide (2025)

Best turmeric capsules: our review

In our comparison, we selected turmeric capsules meeting the following minimum criteria :

• Packaged in France
• No controversial excipients
• High bioavailability
• Recognized brand

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# Best curcumin 🥇

We selected this dietary supplement because it contains a particularly innovative turmeric extract (“TurmiPure Gold”), patented and produced in France. Several clinical studies have demonstrated the superiority of this form in terms of bioavailability and safety.

This curcumin-standardized extract is made from organic turmeric grown in India, its region of origin. It is extracted with water and ethanol, without chemical solvents.

We like the Nutri&Co brand because it is reliable and transparent (read our review to learn more). We also find that customer reviews are good.

Use the promo code DARWINGIFT at checkout to receive a free surprise product (minimum purchase of 70€).

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Best alternatives

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What are the benefits of turmeric ?

A plant from India

The turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a plant native to India where it is widely used in cooking and in Ayurvedic medicine. Today, it is mainly known for its rhizome, consumed as a food or as a spice. It is distinguished by its beautiful yellow-orange color and its warm, peppery taste.

But the turmeric rhizome is also a superfood. Indeed, it has exceptional nutritional value and health-promoting properties.

It contains proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins (C, B3, B6, K), minerals and trace elements (calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium…) and natural antioxidants including the famous curcumin.

Turmeric is now offered as a dietary supplement, in the form of capsules, tablets or powder. It’s a good way to enjoy its many benefits for the body.

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and detoxifying action

In traditional Indian medicine, turmeric is indicated to reduce inflammation. Recent studies also recognize its powerful antioxidant and detoxifying action.

A large part of turmeric’s benefits is due to its yellow-orange pigment called curcumin. Curcumin is able to regulate inflammatory responses and inhibit molecules involved in inflammation, as shown by this study. In addition, it protects the body by neutralizing free radicals.

Regarding turmeric’s detoxifying action, which eliminates toxins and cleanses the liver, it is triggered by stimulation of bile production. Bile concentrates much of the body’s waste. By stimulating its production, turmeric facilitates the transport and elimination of toxins.

Where to buy turmeric?

Many brands, specialty stores and online shops offer turmeric. We’ve put together an overview of the market and the main retailers for you.

Health food stores

Turmeric is often sold in natural food stores such as Naturalia, Biocoop, Bio c’bon and La Vie Claire. It is available in capsule form or as a powder.

Pharmacies and para-pharmacies

Pharmacies and parapharmacies that have a herbal medicine section offer turmeric in capsules, tablets, or combined with other plants. Among the Arkopharma brand’s product range, available in pharmacies, you can find a turmeric/harpagophytum/piperine joint complex.

Specialized brick-and-mortar shops

With turmeric being very popular, you’ll find it in plant shops and supplement stores. It is also possible to buy it in supermarkets, health food stores, or herbalist shops. The latter generally offer whole or cut rhizomes.

Finally, turmeric is a staple spice in Indian grocery stores. There you will find fresh rhizomes or turmeric powder.

Specialized online stores and e-commerce

If you want organic turmeric, go to online organic stores (Greenweez, Naturalia, La Fourche…) or to supplement and/or superfood retailers (Natura Force, Anastore, Vegalia, …).

Finally, some specialized laboratories in dietary supplements, such as Nutrimea or Nutri&Co, also offer turmeric in capsules.

In what form ?

Fresh rhizomes

Fresh rhizomes are perfect for making turmeric recipes or for infusions. More aromatic than the powder, they have a flavorful, warm, and spicy taste. They have not undergone any processing and have therefore retained all their nutritional value.

Also read the Discover fresh turmeric: its uses, storage, and the best recipes

In capsules and tablets

The capsule or tablet format is the easiest to find. Tasteless, it is also convenient and quick to take. You can even carry your capsules with you when you travel.

There are also concentrated, standardized extracts that offer a curcumin concentration of up to 95%.

Powdered

Turmeric powder is used as a spice. You can incorporate it into many dishes but also into your smoothies and healthy drinks.

Because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it is also useful for skin care.

When applied to the hair, turmeric powder purifies the scalp, stimulates hair growth, and provides beautiful luminous highlights.

What criteria should be considered ?

Form is not the only criterion to consider when choosing your turmeric. You should also check the following points.

1. Curcumin concentration

Because curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric, a dietary supplement low in curcumin will have less impact on the body.

Curcumin concentration varies depending on the form of the dietary supplement. Thus, the best turmeric powders have a high curcumin content of 5%. Concentrates and standardized extracts, on the other hand, contain between 90% and 95% curcumin.

This difference in concentration affects the recommended daily dosage. To best benefit from turmeric’s properties, you will need to consume 3 g of powder per day compared with 1.2 to 1.7 g with a high-curcumin turmeric extract.

2. Curcumin bioavailability

The pure form of curcumin is poorly absorbed and only a small portion reaches the bloodstream. To address this issue, turmeric capsules often contain piperine. Found notably in black pepper, it can improve the bioavailability of curcumin (that is, its absorption by the body) by up to 2000%, as shown by this study.

You can also rely on olive or coconut oil, which, in addition to pairing well with the taste of turmeric, will enhance the bioavailability of curcumin.

Finally, only free or bioactive curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier located between the bloodstream and the central nervous system. Thanks to a micro-encapsulation process, curcumin is protected and does not bind to other molecules during its passage through the body: it therefore remains free and more active.

That’s why it’s advisable to choose turmeric combined with piperine and containing free curcumin.

3. Cultivation method

Turmeric grown using conventional agriculture may contain pesticide residues. We therefore recommend choosing high-quality organic turmeric, cultivated without chemicals, non-irradiated and non-GMO.

4. Composition

If you decide to buy turmeric capsules or powder, remember to check their composition. Some products contain excipients, preservatives and colorants that are controversial.

Also opt for plant-based capsules.

5. Geographic origin

Although it is also grown in Indonesia, China, Bangladesh, and South America, India remains the world’s leading producer of turmeric. Indian turmeric is renowned for its high quality and curcumin content.

6. Price

The price of turmeric varies depending on its form, quality and curcumin concentration. Price differences can therefore be very significant from one product to another.

The average observed price for 90 turmeric capsules ranges between €18 and €30. A price below this often indicates capsules with a low curcumin concentration.

Turmeric powder is cheaper to buy than capsules : organic powder is offered at around €12 for 500 g.

Online herbalists also sell whole or cut rhizomes for about €7 per 100 g.

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Buying the best turmeric: in summary

To be sure you’re choosing quality turmeric, check:

1. Curcumin concentration : 5% for the powder and between 90 and 95% for concentrates and standardized extracts
   
2. Curcumin bioavailability : it should be combined with piperine or another cofactor, and be in its free form
   
3. Cultivation method : opt for organic turmeric
   
4. Composition : choose a product without excipients, without preservatives or colorants. The powder should be 100% pure and natural
   
5. Geographical origin : opt for turmeric grown in India
   
6. Price : it should be between €18 and €30 for 90 organic turmeric capsules and around €12 for 500 g of 100% pure powder.

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