We use essential cookies (authentication, your saved goals/stack) by default. With your permission we’ll also enable privacy-respecting analytics (Vercel Web Analytics, anonymous load-time metrics) and error-replay diagnostics (Sentry — DOM snapshots only when an error fires) so we can fix bugs faster. Learn more about cookies
Cur7.5
Curcumin Research
Likely helps
818 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Curcumin appears to help in 12 of 14 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1980–2027 with a typical study size of 166 participants.
Based on 817 studies · 169 meta-analyses · 436 RCTs · 44,223 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
12helped2unclear· 803 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Therapeutic & clinical
Likely helps185 studies
InflammationSignificant reduction in inflammatory markers · 4-8 weeks
511 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2027
198020032027
1Knee osteoarthritis pain and stiffnessMeta-Analysisn=4,599 · very large study2025
In plain English: However, further large-scale, well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to confirm these findings, particularly those that include more standardized dosages and formulations, as well as to evaluate their long-term efficacy.
Zhang Y et al. · Nutrients (2025)
Bayesian rankings indicated Boswellia had the highest probability of being most effective for pain and stiffness, with krill oil and curcumin showing potential for function improvement.
Conclusions: Nutritional supplements, particularly Boswellia, appear to be effective and well-tolerated for improving KOA symptoms and function.
These results suggest that certain supplements may be useful as part of non-pharmacological KOA management.
2Depressive disorder symptomsMeta-Analysisn=17,437 · very large study2025
In plain English: This extensive systematic review and NMA of nutraceuticals for treating depressive disorders indicated a number of nutraceuticals that could offer benefits, either as adjuncts or monotherapies.
Cheng YC et al. · Psychological medicine (2025)
Adjunctive nutraceuticals consistently showed better efficacy than antidepressants (ADT) alone in outcomes including SMD, remission, and response.
This extensive systematic review and NMA of nutraceuticals for treating depressive disorders indicated a number of nutraceuticals that could offer benefits, either as adjuncts or monotherapies.
3Global cognitive outcomesMeta-Analysisn=531 · large study2025
In plain English: Preclinical in vivo evidence suggests curcumin enhances cognitive function in AD models.
Yu L et al. · The journal of prevention of Alzheimer's disease (2025)
No clear effect
← WorseNo effectBetter →
In preclinical in vivo murine studies (n = 25; total animals = 572), curcumin consistently improved both acquisition memory (SMD = -1.78, 95 % CI: -2.12 to -1.43) and retention memory (SMD = 2.36, 95 % CI: 1.72 to 3.00) in rodent models of AD.
Overall, curcumin showed no significant effect on global cognitive outcomes compared to placebo (SMD = 0.14, 95 % CI: -0.78 to 1.07).
Subgroup analyses revealed significant improvements in working memory (SMD = 1.01, 95 % CI: 0.15 to 1.87) and processing speed (SMD = 0.37, 95 % CI: 0.07 to 0.67).
4Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease parametersMeta-Analysisn=2,173 · very large study2022
In plain English: Based on current evidence, curcumin can reduce BMI, TG, TC, liver enzymes, and insulin resistance; catechin can reduce BMI, insulin resistance, and TG effectively; silymarin can reduce liver enzymes.
Yang K et al. · Frontiers in immunology (2022)
Based on current evidence, curcumin can reduce BMI, TG, TC, liver enzymes, and insulin resistance; catechin can reduce BMI, insulin resistance, and TG effectively; silymarin can reduce liver enzymes.
For resveratrol, naringenin, anthocyanin, hesperidin, and catechin, more RCTs are needed to further evaluate their efficacy and safety.
In plain English: Compared with placebo, supplementation with curcuminoids was associated with a significant reduction in circulating CRP levels (weighed mean difference: -6.44 mg/L; 95% CI: -10.77 - -2.11; p = 0.004).
Sahebkar A · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2014)
Compared with placebo, supplementation with curcuminoids was associated with a significant reduction in circulating CRP levels (weighed mean difference: -6.44 mg/L; 95% CI: -10.77 - -2.11; p = 0.004).
This significant effect was maintained in subgroups of trials that used bioavailability-improved preparations of curcuminoids and had supplementation duration of ≥4 weeks, but not in the subgroups without these characteristics.
Supplementation with curcuminoids may reduce circulating CRP levels.
In plain English: The study found that turmeric/curcumin has a beneficial effect on some obesity indicators, which could contribute to weight management in individuals with prediabetes and T2DM.
Moradi Baniasadi M et al. · Nutrition & diabetes (2025)
Random-effects meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI), with a p-value ≤ 0.05 indicating statistical significance.
The study found that turmeric/curcumin has a beneficial effect on some obesity indicators, which could contribute to weight management in individuals with prediabetes and T2DM.