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Cur7.5
Curcumin Research
Likely helps
843 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Curcumin appears to help in 12 of 15 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1980–2026 with a typical study size of 165 participants.
Based on 843 studies · 187 meta-analyses · 447 RCTs · 52,842 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
12helped2unclear1didn't help· 828 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Therapeutic & clinical
Likely helps199 studies
InflammationSignificant reduction in inflammatory markers · 4-8 weeks
527 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2026
198020032026
1Pain and stiffness in knee osteoarthritisMeta-Analysisn=4,599 · very large study2025
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-AnalysisCited 1×n=17,437 · very large study2025
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.
4Global cognitive outcomesMeta-AnalysisCited 4×n=531 · large study2025
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).
7Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease parametersMeta-AnalysisCited 64×n=2,173 · very large study2022
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.
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.