Demand for turmeric extract and curcumin products has been on the rise in recent years, with figures showing that the number of snacks, drinks and health products that contain turmeric extract is growing at a rapid rate of 12% per year. What exactly are the popular turmeric extract and Curcumin powder? And they are the same?

Turmeric is a ginger plant that grows in India and areas of Southeast Asia, it is slightly spicy a bitter yet sweet taste, similar to ginger, and has long been used as a dietary spice. The rhizome of turmeric is irregular ovoid – round, cylindrical or fiddle-shaped, often curved, with short – forked branches, 2-5cm long, 1-3cm in diameter. The surface is dark yellow, rough, with a crinkled texture and obvious links, and rounded branching marks and fibrous root marks. The hard texture is not easy to break, the section is brownish yellow or bright yellow, the epidermis is shiny, and there are obvious ring lines.

Turmeric contains many plant compounds such as volatile oil and Curcumin, much of the credit for its health benefits goes to the latter. Turmeric extract is the turmeric concentration that has been processed to remove some of the other compounds in the plant, making it a more potent source of curcumin. Curcumin is a kind of low molecular weight polyphenol compound “Curcuminoids” isolated from turmeric roots primarily in 1870. We can say that Curcumin is an active additive that is extracted from the rhizome of turmeric with organic solvent and refined by physical method, it’s always used in a powdered form, that is Curcumin powder, the active ingredient in turmeric that is responsible for its many health benefits. Curcumin powder contains a lower concentration of curcumin than turmeric extract. Here is a table summarizing the key differences between turmeric extract and curcumin powder:

Feature Turmeric extract Curcumin powder
Concentration of curcumin Higher Lower
Processing Processed to remove other compounds Not processed
Bioavailability More bioavailable Less bioavailable
Cost More expensive Less expensive

Turmeric extract is often sold in capsules or tablets, which can be more convenient to take than curcumin powder. It is a better choice for people who want to take advantage of the health benefits of curcumin. Curcumin powder can be added to food or drinks, which can be a good way to increase your intake of curcumin, is a more affordable option for people who are looking for a general spice to use in cooking. In general, both turmeric extract and curcumin powder are generally safe for most people.

At present, curcumin powder has been found to have a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, lipid regulation, antiviral, anti-infection, anti-tumor, anti-coagulant, anti-liver fibrosis and anti-atherosclerosis, with low toxicity and small adverse reactions. In fact, Curcumin is even responsible for the spice’s characteristic yellow color. The US FDA regulates that turmeric can be added to food as a colorant [21CFR 73.600], and the European Commission also specifies that Curcumin powder can be added to food as a colorant.

Photo: 100% Water-soluble Curcumin powder and 90% soluble Curcumin powder

At Rainbow Biology company, we can manufacture high-quality Curcumin powder, which can be completely dissolved in water to obtain its max and concentration in blood. The high concentration achieves the highest potency in anti-inflammation, heart, brain, liver, joint and muscle health, and drunkenness relief as well. In Rainbow’s lab, we can show you the two different soluble Curcumin powders available for different applications.