Is there any evidence suggesting that turmeric could raise cholesterol levels in some individuals?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Turmeric does not raise cholesterol. Current research suggests the opposite: turmeric, and its active compound curcumin, may actually help improve lipid profiles by lowering LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides while supporting HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. No credible studies link turmeric consumption to elevated cholesterol.

That said, cholesterol changes and related symptoms can stem from many overlapping factors—diet, genetics, medications, or underlying conditions. If you're experiencing unexplained symptoms or concerns about your health, take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what may be going on and confidently navigate your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

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Explanation

Turmeric, a spice often used in cooking, contains a compound called curcumin. Studies provided do not show that turmeric raises cholesterol levels.

Lipid Profile Effects: A study from 2023 looked at how turmeric affects the lipid profile, which includes cholesterol levels. The results suggested that turmeric might actually help improve cholesterol levels rather than raise them.
Animal Studies: An older study from 1976 focused on the effects of turmeric and curcumin in animals, specifically poultry. It did not find evidence that turmeric increases cholesterol levels.
Enzyme Activity: Another study from 1991 explored how spices like turmeric affect certain enzymes involved in cholesterol metabolism. This study did not report any increases in cholesterol due to turmeric.

In summary, based on these studies, turmeric does not appear to raise cholesterol levels. Instead, it might help improve them. If you have concerns about cholesterol or are experiencing any related symptoms, you can check your symptoms with our free AI-powered symptom checker or talk to your healthcare provider.

(References)

Dehzad MJ, Ghalandari H, Amini MR, & Askarpour M. (2023). Effects of curcumin/turmeric supplementation on lipid profile. Complementary therapies in medicine, 37230418.
Keshavarz K. (1976). The influence of turmeric and curcumin on cholesterol .... Poultry science, 945572.
Srinivasan K, & Sambaiah K. (1991). The effect of spices on cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase .... International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition, 1806542.

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