Just One Thing is a series presented by Michael Mosley, each offering listeners a particular piece of health-related advice. At the beginning of this programme, the presenter said turmeric “could boost my mood and memory and may even reduce inflammation”. He went on to say that “…there is new research showing it could be especially beneficial for some types of pain”. He talked about turmeric’s “benefits for brain and body” and cited several studies which seemed to back up the claims. In the ECU’s view the claims were therefore appropriately caveated and put into scientific context. 

In relation to the quantity of turmeric used, Dr Mosley interviewed an office worker who agreed to add one teaspoon per day to her cooking across a week. This was in line with a study cited by the programme which showed results in terms of neurocognitive function in older people who had a “curry rich diet” and therefore reflected available scientific evidence. 

The ECU noted an NHS article provided by the complainant stated “Use caution when taking medicinal doses of turmeric or curcumin at the same time as medicines with significant side effects” The ECU understands the programme sought advice from the BBC Chief Medical Officer on this matter and given small amounts of turmeric have generally not been found to be harmful, with the NHS advising that adverse effects are rare, took the view that it was not incumbent on producers to include a warning in a general interest programme of this kind.

Not Upheld