Infertility is becoming a major cause of concern for many women and men. Change in the lifestyles and eating habits contributes to bringing about certain health conditions resulting in infertility. But the good news is that this can be treated naturally by including some superfoods in your diet. One such superfood is turmeric. You may ask- turmeric for fertility? Yes! Maintaining a good diet will increase your chances of conceiving even sooner, and this applies to both men and women. These superfoods which aid fertility also support your reproductive system and regulate your menstrual cycle and ovulation, thus increasing the chances of pregnancy.
Certain nutrients are essential to maintain a balance in your hormones and the health of your eggs and sperms. Turmeric is one of the superfoods that will prove beneficial to treat infertility and various other issues in your body. Let us have a look at how turmeric can play a role in helping you become parents!
In This Article
- What is Turmeric?
- Nutritional Value of Turmeric
- Role of Turmeric in Improving Male Fertility
- How Does Turmeric Help Improve Female Fertility?
- How to Include Turmeric in Your Diet While You are Trying to Conceive?
- What is the Recommended Dosage of Turmeric to Boost Fertility?
- FAQ’s
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric is a spice that is obtained from the turmeric plant. It belongs to the ginger family. It is a commonly used spice in its powdered form in Asian and other cuisines across the world. Turmeric naturally contains antioxidants and medicinal properties . Hence, it is considered very healthy and included in every diet. It is predominantly used for flavoring purposes.
Turmeric roots are popularly used in medicines because of its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. It is used to cure a wide range of health issues such as heartburns, arthritis, stomach pain, joint pains, diarrhoea, intestinal gas, stomach ulcers, high cholesterol, gallbladder issues, irritable bowel syndrome, skin inflammations, headaches, lung infections, colds, menstrual problems, leprosy and various types of cancers.
Nutritional Value of Turmeric
One tablespoon of ground turmeric contains:
- Calories – 29
- Carbohydrates – 6 grams
- Fibre – 2 grams
- Phosphorus
- Manganese
- Potassium
Role of Turmeric in Improving Male Fertility
There is a misconception that infertility is only a woman’s problem. Men also suffer from infertility issues. Infertility in men is caused by many health factors, such as lifestyle changes, and biological factors. Some of the reasons are:
- Low level Thyroid Hormones
- When stress levels are very high
- Poor mental health
- Side effects of some medicines
- Problems related to varicose vein in the testicle
Turmeric is beneficial for men who have low levels of infertility. Here is how:
- Curcumin’, a compound in turmeric, helps in reducing stress levels and anxiety.
- Vitamin C and E in turmeric help to boost the antioxidants in the body.
- Turmeric, being rich in Vitamin C, further improves the sperm count in men.
[Read : Blocked Fallopian Tubes]
How Does Turmeric Help Improve Female Fertility?
Here are some reasons why infertility occurs in women:
- PCOS and other hormone disorders
- Issues in the Fallopian tubes
- Uterine fibroids
- High or low levels of thyroid
- Presence of Ovarian cysts
- Stress and anxiety leading to hormonal imbalance
Here is how Turmeric helps to boost fertility:
- The antioxidants present in turmeric help in fighting the free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can bring about many health issues like cancer.
- Turmeric also helps to resolve peritoneal adhesions and endometriosis that cause infertility.
- It is a great medicine to treat menstrual issues like irregular periods, PCOS, ovarian cysts, and uterine fibroids.
- Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial- cells, the cells lining the uterus wall, grow outside the uterine cavity. Endometriosis is a root cause of infertility in many women. Turmeric can treat this problem.
- Curcumin in turmeric is reported to inhibit the overgrowth of endometrial cells.
- Turmeric stimulates blood flow to the pelvic area and uterus.
- Curcumin in turmeric hinders the growth and proliferation of cells that create uterine fibroids.
- Turmeric has a unique property of bringing the uterus back to its right shape and functioning.
[Read : Can Ovarian Cysts Make It Difficult To Get Pregnant?]
How to Include Turmeric in Your Diet While You are Trying to Conceive?
Owing to its medicinal properties, Turmeric is safe to use in your everyday diet. Here are some ways of how it can be incorporated in your diet:
1. Turmeric Milk
Also known as the ‘Golden Milk,’ turmeric milk is often the solution to many ailments in India. Just mix half a teaspoon of turmeric in boiling milk and consume it every night.
2. Masala Rice
For those who like to have variety and flavorful options, turmeric can be added as a spice along with other spices and vegetables in rice to make masala rice.
3. Turmeric Tea
If you are particular about your health, drinking turmeric tea is an excellent option. To 3 cups of water, add two teaspoons of grounded/ 6 teaspoons of grated turmeric. Also, add one teaspoon of grounded/ 3 teaspoon of grated ginger. You can add a cinnamon stick for flavor. Bring the water to boil and simmer for 7 to 10 min. Strain it. Let it cool. Add a pinch of crushed black peppercorn. Your turmeric tea is ready.
What is the Recommended Dosage of Turmeric to Boost Fertility?
You can elaborately use turmeric in your cuisine. However, if you are taking it as a supplement, it is safe to consume 0.4 grams to 0.6 grams of turmeric powder three times a day.
[Read : Maca – Your Wonder Herb For Fertility]
FAQ’s
1. Will Consuming Turmeric Lead to Infertility?
If you have reached here in this article, by now, you would have been convinced about the health benefits of turmeric and how beneficial it is to treat infertility issues and help in conceiving. Turmeric helps combat infertility in both men and women. So, turmeric causing infertility is all a myth.
2. Is There Any Circumstance During Which it is Not Safe to Take Turmeric as a Supplement?
Irrespective of the fact that turmeric consumption enhances your health in many ways. But, there are a few situations during which you should seek a health practitioner’s advice before taking turmeric supplements. These include:
- If you are nearing any scheduled surgery
- If you are experiencing any gastrointestinal issues
- Lactation period
- If you have issues of gallstone
- If you are taking blood-thinning medicines
3. Can I Drink Turmeric Milk at Night to Improve My Fertility?
Yes you can. Turmeric milk has various other benefits as well. Having a glass of this every night can be beneficial for both you and your partner.
4. Can Consuming too Much Turmeric to Improve Fertility Harm Me?
Yes it can. High consumption of turmeric can lead to gastric and other stomach related issues. Ensure you do not cross the daily limit if you are consuming it regularly.
5. Should My Partner and I Take Turmeric Supplements to Improve our Fertility?
You can add turmeric to your daily cooking. Supplements have a high concentrate of turmeric in them. Take them only if your doctor prescribes it.
6. Can Consuming Turmeric Result in Ulcers?
Consuming too much turmeric on a regular basis can result in gastric ulcers. It can even worsen your acid reflux. It is not a good idea to over-consume turmeric just to improve fertility.
Turmeric is a great natural food source with a multitude of benefits, whether you are trying to conceive or not. No wonder it is called “golden spice.” It is definitely a great idea and perfectly safe to try-out using more turmeric in cooking while trying to get conceived.
Read Also: How to Treat Hormonal Imbalance to Get Pregnant
