Curcumin
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Curcumin (Curcuma longa) is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 2,240 participants, researched for Anti-inflammatory Activity, Joint Health, Cognitive Function and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Anti-inflammatory Activity
StrongJoint Health
StrongCognitive Function
StrongMetabolic Health
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Anti-inflammatory Activity
To evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of bioavailable Curcumin supplementation in subjects with metabolic syndrome
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of bioavailable Curcumin supplementation in subjects with metabolic syndrome
Dose
1000 mg bioavailable Curcumin daily (BCM-95)
Participants
118 adults with metabolic syndrome
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Curcumin significantly reduced hs-CRP (−34%), IL-6 (−29%), TNF-α (−25%), and increased adiponectin. NF-κB activity in PBMCs was significantly suppressed. Well tolerated with no adverse events.
How They Measured It
hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, adiponectin, NF-κB activity in PBMCs
To quantify the effect of Curcumin supplementation on CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α
Study Type
Meta-analysis
Purpose
To quantify the effect of Curcumin supplementation on CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α
Dose
Various bioavailable formulations
Participants
Meta-analysis of 8 RCTs (n=470)
Duration
Various
Results
Curcumin supplementation significantly reduced CRP (−6.4 mg/L), IL-6 (−1.6 pg/mL), and TNF-α (−3.1 pg/mL). Bioavailability-enhanced formulations showed greater effects. Well tolerated overall.
How They Measured It
Meta-analysis of RCT data on inflammatory biomarkers
Joint Health
To evaluate Curcumin for pain and function in knee osteoarthritis
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Curcumin for pain and function in knee osteoarthritis
Dose
1500 mg Curcumin daily (Meriva phospholipid complex)
Participants
100 patients with knee osteoarthritis
Duration
8 months
Results
Curcumin significantly reduced WOMAC scores (−54%), VAS pain (−58%), and analgesic use compared to placebo. Walking performance improved significantly. Gastrointestinal tolerability was excellent.
How They Measured It
WOMAC, VAS pain, KOOS, 6-minute walk test, analgesic use
To determine the efficacy of Curcumin in osteoarthritis pain management
Study Type
Meta-analysis of RCTs
Purpose
To determine the efficacy of Curcumin in osteoarthritis pain management
Dose
Various Curcumin formulations (500-2000 mg/day)
Participants
Meta-analysis of 15 RCTs (n=1118)
Duration
Various
Results
Curcumin supplementation significantly reduced pain (SMD −0.92) and improved function (SMD −0.85) in osteoarthritis. Effect size comparable to NSAIDs but with superior gastrointestinal safety profile.
How They Measured It
Meta-analysis of pain and functional outcomes from RCTs
To compare Curcumin with ibuprofen for knee osteoarthritis pain
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To compare Curcumin with ibuprofen for knee osteoarthritis pain
Dose
1500 mg Curcumin per day
Participants
367 patients with knee osteoarthritis
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Curcumin was non-inferior to ibuprofen for pain reduction and functional improvement, with significantly fewer GI adverse events (4.4% vs 19.8%). Curcumin well tolerated; ibuprofen produced more GI complaints.
How They Measured It
WOMAC, VAS pain, global patient assessment, adverse events
Cognitive Function
To evaluate the effects of bioavailable Curcumin on memory and attention in older adults
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate the effects of bioavailable Curcumin on memory and attention in older adults
Dose
90 mg Curcumin twice daily (Theracurmin)
Participants
40 adults aged 50-90 with mild memory complaints
Duration
18 months
Results
Curcumin supplementation significantly improved verbal memory (RAVLT +28%) and attention, and reduced depressive symptoms. PET imaging showed reduced tau and amyloid signals in memory areas. BDNF increased.
How They Measured It
RAVLT, ISLT, CANTAB working memory and attention tasks, BDNF, fMRI
To evaluate Curcumin for cognitive function and mood in healthy older adults
Study Type
Randomised placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Curcumin for cognitive function and mood in healthy older adults
Dose
400 mg Curcumin daily
Participants
60 healthy adults aged 60-85
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Curcumin supplementation significantly improved working memory, mood, and fatigue scores compared to placebo. Serum neuroinflammation markers were reduced. Acutely, Curcumin improved attention and working memory.
How They Measured It
Working memory, sustained attention, mood VAS, neuroinflammation biomarkers
Metabolic Health
To evaluate the effects of Curcumin supplementation on glycemic control markers
Study Type
Meta-analysis of RCTs
Purpose
To evaluate the effects of Curcumin supplementation on glycemic control markers
Dose
Various formulations (500-6000 mg/day)
Participants
Meta-analysis of 11 RCTs (n=734)
Duration
Various
Results
Curcumin significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (−0.48 mmol/L), HOMA-IR, and insulin levels. HbA1c also significantly reduced. Enhanced bioavailability formulations showed strongest glycemic effects.
How They Measured It
Meta-analysis of fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, HOMA-IR from RCTs
To evaluate Curcumin for preventing progression from pre-diabetes to type 2 diabetes
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Curcumin for preventing progression from pre-diabetes to type 2 diabetes
Dose
1500 mg Curcumin daily (curcuminoid extract)
Participants
240 adults with pre-diabetes
Duration
9 months
Results
None of the Curcumin group (0%) progressed to T2DM compared to 16.4% in the placebo group. HOMA-IR improved, β-cell function increased, and adiponectin levels rose significantly in the Curcumin group.
How They Measured It
Conversion to T2DM, insulin resistance, β-cell function, inflammatory markers
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Curcumin research
There are currently 10 peer-reviewed studies on Curcumin (Curcuma longa), involving 2,240 total participants. Research covers Anti-inflammatory activity, Joint health, Cognitive function and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (9 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Curcumin has been researched for: Anti-inflammatory activity, Joint health, Cognitive function, Metabolic health. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 9 out of 10 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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