Turmeric
Pooled trials report less knee osteoarthritis pain than placebo and lower fasting glucose, HbA1c, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and CRP, mostly in people with diabetes, with high heterogeneity and low certainty. US and Italian case series describe liver injury, including one death, often with high-bioavailability or black pepper products. Lead chromate has been found in turmeric spice.
- Status
- Dietary supplement and food spice in the US.
- Also called
- curcumin, curcuminoids, Curcuma longa, turmeric extract, Meriva, BCM-95, Theracurmin, turmeric with black pepper, piperine
- Taken for
- joint pain, osteoarthritis, inflammation, blood sugar, diabetes, cholesterol, weight loss, blood pressure, fatty liver, muscle soreness, recovery, depression, anxiety, mood, memory, gut health, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, autoimmune disease, COVID-19, cancer, fibroids
Strong several reviews agree · Moderate one review or consistent trials · Limited one or a few small studies · Untested no study in people, listed with what it rests on
Shown to help12
- StrongShown to lower knee pain and improve function more than placebo in adults with knee osteoarthritis, similar to NSAIDs, in short trials and low-quality reviews.
- StrongShown to lower fasting glucose about 6 to 10 mg/dL and HbA1c about 0.3 points in adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
- StrongShown to lower triglycerides about 13 mg/dL and LDL about 6 mg/dL in adults with metabolic conditions. Smaller reviews found no significant LDL change.
- StrongShown to lower CRP and some other inflammation markers in adults with inflammatory conditions or diabetes. These are blood markers, not clinical outcomes.
- StrongShown to lower disease activity, joint counts and inflammation markers in adults with rheumatoid arthritis, in few small trials with very low certainty.
- StrongShown to raise clinical remission about twofold added to standard treatment in adults with ulcerative colitis. Reviews differ on endoscopic remission.
- ModerateShown to lower depression scores against placebo in people with depression or depressive symptoms, with effect sizes varying widely across reviews.
- ModerateShown to lower body weight about 2 kg in adults with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Reviews disagree on BMI.
- ModerateShown to lower the liver enzymes ALT and AST slightly in adults with fatty liver disease, but not in people with diabetes or with piperine added.
- ModerateShown to lower death, ventilation and worsening in patients with COVID-19 when added to standard care, about 61% fewer deaths, in small trials.
- LimitedLimited evidence: curcumin lowered soreness and muscle damage markers after hard exercise in some trials, but certainty was very low.
- LimitedSmall trials found higher tumor response added to chemotherapy in women with advanced breast cancer, without placebo. A stomach trial measured markers, not cancer.
Reported risks3
- ModerateCase reports: 10 US cases of turmeric liver injury, one fatal, plus 7 Italian cases with high-dose, high-bioavailability products, most improving after stopping.How often is not known
- LimitedLimited evidence: a review reported kidney toxicity from high-dose turmeric taken with immunosuppressive drugs. Case numbers and drugs were not given.How often is not known
- LimitedOne study found lead chromate dye added to turmeric spice in 7 of 9 major growing districts of Bangladesh. Supplement capsules were not tested.How often is not known
What people take it for, and what was found
Shown to help12
Knee osteoarthritis pain and function
Shown to lower knee pain and improve function more than placebo in adults with knee osteoarthritis, similar to NSAIDs, in short trials and low-quality reviews.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- Across 16 RCTs (1,810 adults, up to 16 weeks), turmeric extracts reduced knee pain (SMD -0.82, 95% CI -1.17 to -0.47, I² 86.23%) and improved function (SMD -0.75, 95% CI -1.18 to -0.33) against placebo, with effects similar to NSAIDs. Higher BMI was linked to less improvement [1]. A second meta-analysis of 15 RCTs (1,621 participants) also reported lower VAS and WOMAC pain, function and stiffness scores than placebo and similar effects to NSAIDs [2]. A network meta-analysis of 17 RCTs found every turmeric preparation reduced WOMAC pain against placebo, by MD -3.17 (95% CI -5.50 to -0.83) for conventional curcuminoids and -2.47 (95% CI -3.27 to -1.67) for bioavailability-enhanced forms [3]. Another network meta-analysis of 20 RCTs (1,633 participants) found lower VAS pain against placebo only with modified Curcuma longa formulations (SMD -2.82, 95% CI -5.30 to -0.33) [4].
- Population
- Adults with knee osteoarthritis [1][2][3][4].
- Sources
- [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]
- Caveats
- Heterogeneity was high, trials were short, and risk of bias was moderate [1]. Imaging and biochemical markers did not differ [1]. Certainty was low in the 17-trial network analysis [3]. A review of 7 earlier systematic reviews rated their methods extremely low in quality, with heavy overlap of trials and 37 of 48 outcomes at extremely low evidence quality [5].
Blood sugar
Shown to lower fasting glucose about 6 to 10 mg/dL and HbA1c about 0.3 points in adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- Across 34 RCTs in adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, curcumin or turmeric lowered fasting glucose by 10.15 mg/dL (95% CI -12.59 to -7.72), HbA1c by 0.32% (95% CI -0.43 to -0.21) and HOMA-IR by 0.46 against control [6]. A meta-analysis of 63 trials drawn from 13 earlier reviews (3,706 participants) found fasting glucose 6.30 mg/dL lower (95% CI -9.33 to -3.27) and HbA1c 0.31% lower (95% CI -0.57 to -0.05) [7]. With piperine added, 15 RCTs (1,020 participants) showed fasting glucose 5.89 mg/dL lower, while HbA1c, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR did not differ significantly [8].
- Population
- Adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes [6][7]; adults, many overweight with metabolic disorders [8].
- Sources
- [6], [7], [8], [9]
- Caveats
- Heterogeneity was significant [6] and high [7]. GRADE certainty was low for fasting glucose and HbA1c in the piperine review [8]. In a network meta-analysis of 24 RCTs in prediabetes, turmeric extract was linked to fewer new cases of type 2 diabetes (RR 0.05, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.78), with low certainty and short trials [9].
Cholesterol and triglycerides
Shown to lower triglycerides about 13 mg/dL and LDL about 6 mg/dL in adults with metabolic conditions. Smaller reviews found no significant LDL change.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- An umbrella review re-pooled 72 RCTs. Curcumin lowered LDL cholesterol by 5.84 mg/dL (95% CI -11.63 to -0.05), triglycerides by 13.15 mg/dL (95% CI -17.31 to -8.98) and total cholesterol by 7.76 mg/dL, and raised HDL by 2.4 mg/dL [10]. In 27 RCTs in prediabetes and diabetes, triglycerides fell 13.73 mg/dL, total cholesterol 5.24 mg/dL and LDL 5.72 mg/dL (95% CI -8.62 to -2.82), and HDL rose 2.14 mg/dL [11]. In 11 RCTs (662 people with metabolic disease), triglycerides and total cholesterol fell, while LDL and HDL did not change significantly under random-effects models [12]. With piperine added, 16 RCTs (1,038 participants) showed lower triglycerides and total cholesterol and no significant LDL change [13].
- Population
- Adults with noncommunicable diseases, with larger effects in type 2 diabetes [10]; adults with prediabetes or diabetes [11]; adults with metabolic disorders [12][13].
- Sources
- [10], [11], [12], [13]
- Caveats
- I² was 94% to 98% in the umbrella review [10] and above 80% in the diabetes review, which rated certainty low for every outcome [11]. The LDL drop did not reach significance in two smaller reviews [12][13]. The umbrella review found the total cholesterol and HDL changes smaller than their minimal clinically important differences [10].
C-reactive protein and other inflammation markers
Shown to lower CRP and some other inflammation markers in adults with inflammatory conditions or diabetes. These are blood markers, not clinical outcomes.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- In 9 studies, curcumin lowered CRP by 3.67 mg/L (95% CI -6.96 to -0.38). In 23 studies hs-CRP was lower than placebo, with stronger effects below 2,000 mg a day [14]. In 28 RCTs in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, curcumin or turmeric lowered CRP (SMD -0.50), TNF-alpha (SMD -1.70) and IL-6 (SMD -2.97) [15]. In 6 RCTs (472 adults with type 2 diabetes), hs-CRP was 1.06 mg/L lower (95% CI -1.97 to -0.16, I² 17.3%) [16]. In 21 knee osteoarthritis studies (1,705 patients), CRP (SMD -0.906, 95% CI -1.543 to -0.269) and TNF-alpha were lower than placebo, while ESR, IL-1beta, IL-6 and PGE-2 did not differ [17]. With piperine added, 18 RCTs showed lower IL-6, while CRP and TNF-alpha did not change significantly [18].
- Population
- People with proinflammatory or autoinflammatory conditions [14]; adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes [15][16]; adults with knee osteoarthritis [17]; adults in curcumin with piperine trials [18].
- Sources
- [14], [15], [16], [17], [18]
- Caveats
- Blood markers, not clinical outcomes. Certainty was low for every marker in the 28-trial review, which also found publication bias for CRP [15]. The curcumin with piperine review found no significant CRP change [18].
Rheumatoid arthritis
Shown to lower disease activity, joint counts and inflammation markers in adults with rheumatoid arthritis, in few small trials with very low certainty.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- Across 6 publications (539 patients), curcumin lowered DAS28 (MD -1.20, 95% CI -1.85 to -0.55), ESR (MD -29.47), swollen joint count (MD -5.33) and tender joint count (MD -6.33) against controls [19]. Across 7 RCTs, DAS28 fell by 1.47 (95% CI -1.68 to -1.26), with lower rheumatoid factor, ESR and CRP [20]. Across 6 placebo-controlled trials (244 participants), ACR20 response, DAS28, ESR, CRP, pain and joint counts all improved, with very low certainty for most outcomes [21].
- Population
- Adults with rheumatoid arthritis [19][20][21].
- Sources
- [19], [20], [21]
- Caveats
- The trials were few and small, heterogeneity was substantial [20], and the certainty of evidence was very low [21].
Ulcerative colitis
Shown to raise clinical remission about twofold added to standard treatment in adults with ulcerative colitis. Reviews differ on endoscopic remission.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- Across 8 RCTs (482 patients), curcumin added to standard treatment raised clinical remission against placebo (RR 2.33, 95% CI 1.25 to 4.34, I² 80%). Endoscopic remission did not differ significantly (RR 4.17, 95% CI 0.63 to 27.71) [22]. A meta-analysis of 6 RCTs (385 participants) found more clinical remission (RR 2.10, 95% CI 1.13 to 3.89) and no significant difference in endoscopic remission [23]. Another of 6 RCTs (349 patients) found more clinical remission (OR 5.18, 95% CI 1.84 to 14.56) and endoscopic remission (OR 5.69, 95% CI 1.28 to 25.27) with curcumin added to mesalamine [24].
- Population
- Adults with ulcerative colitis, mostly on mesalamine [22][23][24].
- Sources
- [22], [23], [24]
- Caveats
- Heterogeneity was high and the trials overlap across the reviews [22]. Some trials gave curcumin as an enema rather than by mouth [24].
Depression and anxiety symptoms
Shown to lower depression scores against placebo in people with depression or depressive symptoms, with effect sizes varying widely across reviews.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- Across 10 trials (594 patients), curcumin lowered depression scores (SMD -0.32, 95% CI -0.50 to -0.13, I² 15%) and raised response rates (OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.28 to 7.99). In people with diagnosed depression the SMD was -0.35, and in people with depressive symptoms it was -0.17 (95% CI -0.61 to 0.26) [25]. A 2026 meta-analysis of 19 RCTs found lower scores in people with depression (SMD -0.76, 95% CI -1.22 to -0.30, 8 studies) and in people with depressive symptoms (SMD -0.53, 95% CI -0.97 to -0.09, 11 studies) [26]. Another, of 26 RCTs (1,491 participants), reported larger drops in depression (SMD -1.53, 95% CI -2.05 to -1.02), anxiety (SMD -1.67) and stress (SMD -1.71) against placebo [27]. In 15 RCTs (1,123 adults with chronic diseases), depressive symptoms (SMD -0.65) and anxiety (SMD -0.22, 95% CI -0.40 to -0.05, I² 0%) fell [28].
- Population
- Patients with depression or depressive symptoms [25][26]; adults with depression, anxiety or stress symptoms [27]; adults with type 2 diabetes, obesity, arthritis and other chronic diseases [28].
- Sources
- [25], [26], [27], [28]
- Caveats
- Evidence quality was rated low [25]. Pooled depression effects ranged from SMD -0.32 to -1.53 across reviews [25][27]. Heterogeneity reached 94.5% and the effect was fragile in sensitivity analysis [26]. Certainty was moderate to low [27].
Body weight
Shown to lower body weight about 2 kg in adults with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Reviews disagree on BMI.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- In 20 RCTs, turmeric or curcumin lowered body weight by 1.9 kg (95% CI -2.9 to -0.9) and waist by 1.9 cm in type 2 diabetes, without changing BMI, and lowered weight by 2.5 kg in prediabetes [33]. In 9 RCTs (699 adults with type 2 diabetes), weight fell 1.65 kg, BMI 0.69 kg/m² and waist 0.93 cm [34]. The 63-trial pooled analysis found no significant BMI change [7].
- Population
- Adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes [33][34][7].
- Sources
- [33], [34], [7]
- Caveats
- GRADE certainty was low for weight in type 2 diabetes [33]. The reviews disagree on BMI [33][34][7]. One review was not registered [34].
Fatty liver and liver enzymes
Shown to lower the liver enzymes ALT and AST slightly in adults with fatty liver disease, but not in people with diabetes or with piperine added.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- In 15 RCTs (905 patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease), curcumin lowered ALT by 4.10 (95% CI -7.16 to -1.04) and AST by 3.27 (95% CI -5.16 to -1.39), with no change in ALP. Curcumin with piperine did not change ALT or AST significantly [36]. In 10 RCTs in prediabetes and diabetes, ALT and AST did not change significantly and GGT fell 2.35 IU/L [37]. Across 18 RCTs of curcuminoids with piperine, AST fell 2.29 IU and the ALT change was not significant (p 0.053) [18].
- Population
- Adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [36]; adults with prediabetes or diabetes [37]; adults in curcumin with piperine trials [18].
- Sources
- [36], [37], [18]
- Caveats
- These are blood enzymes, not measures of liver fat or fibrosis. Results differed by population and formulation [36][37].
COVID-19 in hospital
Shown to lower death, ventilation and worsening in patients with COVID-19 when added to standard care, about 61% fewer deaths, in small trials.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- Across 23 RCTs (1,407 patients), turmeric added to standard care lowered all-cause death (RR 0.39, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.67, 8 RCTs, moderate certainty), need for intubation or mechanical ventilation (RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.72) and clinical deterioration (RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.59) [40].
- Population
- Patients with mild to severe COVID-19, hospitalized in 17 of 23 trials. Nano-curcumin at 160 to 240 mg a day was the most common form [40].
- Sources
- [40]
- Caveats
- Nine trials were at high risk of bias. Results held when those were excluded [40]. The trials were small.
Muscle soreness after exercise
Limited evidence: curcumin lowered soreness and muscle damage markers after hard exercise in some trials, but certainty was very low.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- Curcumin reduced creatine kinase (WMD -48.54 IU/L, 95% CI -80.67 to -16.42) and a muscle soreness index (WMD -0.476, 95% CI -0.750 to -0.202) after muscle-damaging exercise [42]. A systematic review of 15 double-blind trials in active people and athletes found favorable results in 3 of 7 trials on soreness, recovery or fatigue, 4 of 6 on muscle damage and 4 of 8 on performance [43]. In 44 moderately active adults, 300 mg a day of a turmeric formulation for 5 days did not change soreness after downhill running, while soreness recovery from peak to 72 hours was 7.9% greater than placebo [44]. In 34 men, 1,500 mg a day of hydrolyzed curcumin was followed by greater reductions in pain, creatine kinase and IL-6 (p < 0.05), and slower muscle endurance recovery at 24 hours than 750 mg a day [45].
- Population
- Adults in RCTs of exercise-induced muscle damage [42]; active people and athletes [43]; 44 moderately active adults [44]; 34 recreationally active men [45].
- Sources
- [42], [43], [44], [45]
- Caveats
- The meta-analysis abstract does not report the number of trials or participants [42]. Certainty was very low for soreness, muscle damage and performance [43]. Soreness area under the curve, the primary outcome, did not differ from placebo [44].
Cancer
Small trials found higher tumor response added to chemotherapy in women with advanced breast cancer, without placebo. A stomach trial measured markers, not cancer.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- In 120 women with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, adding 1 g a day of curcumin with 1% piperine to chemotherapy for 12 to 24 weeks raised objective response from 8.33% to 38.33% at 4 weeks after treatment and from 10.64% to 43.40% at 12 weeks [46]. In 48 people with precancerous stomach changes, 1,000 mg a day of Meriva for 6 months lowered IL-1beta in the stomach lining, while histology and DNA damage did not differ from placebo [47].
- Population
- Women with breast cancer on chemotherapy [46]; adults with atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia in Puerto Rico and Honduras [47].
- Sources
- [46], [47]
- Caveats
- Two small trials. The breast cancer trial compared chemotherapy alone with no placebo, and its abstract gives no progression-free survival figures [46]. The stomach trial measured markers, not cancer cases [47].
Mixed results3
Psoriasis
Mixed results: one review reported lower psoriasis severity, but its confidence interval includes no effect. Small trials of oral and topical curcumin lowered severity.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- A meta-analysis of 7 RCTs found curcumin alone or with other treatment improved PASI against controls (std. MD -0.83, p 0.02) [29]. In 63 patients with mild to moderate psoriasis on topical steroids, oral curcumin 2 g a day (Meriva) for 12 weeks lowered PASI more than steroids alone [30]. In 40 patients with scalp psoriasis, a topical turmeric tonic twice a day for 9 weeks lowered PASI and improved quality of life against placebo (P < .05) [31]. In an open trial without placebo, 4.5 g a day of oral curcuminoids gave a response rate of 16.7% (95% CI 2% to 48%) [32].
- Population
- Adults with plaque or scalp psoriasis [29][30][31][32].
- Sources
- [29], [30], [31], [32]
- Caveats
- The meta-analysis abstract gives a 95% CI of -1.53 to 0.14, which includes no effect, alongside p 0.02 [29]. The trials were small and mixed oral and topical forms. The open trial authors attribute its low response to placebo effect or natural history [32].
Blood pressure
Mixed results: one review found systolic pressure about 2.7 mmHg lower in adults with prediabetes or diabetes, while a larger pooled analysis found no effect.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- In 15 RCTs (855 adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes), systolic pressure fell 2.69 mmHg (95% CI -3.84 to -1.55, I² 30.1%), and 3.41 mmHg in those starting at 130 or above. Diastolic pressure did not change significantly (-1.20 mmHg, 95% CI -2.84 to 0.44) [35]. The 63-trial pooled analysis found no significant blood pressure effect [7].
- Population
- Adults with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes or hyperglycemia [35][7].
- Sources
- [35], [7]
- Caveats
- The two analyses disagree. Diastolic heterogeneity was 84.3% [35].
Memory and thinking
Mixed results: one review found better overall thinking in older adults and longer trials, while another found no change in overall cognition.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- In 9 RCTs (501 participants), curcumin improved global cognitive function against placebo (SMD 0.82, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.45). The effect was significant only in trials of 24 weeks or more, in participants aged 60 or older, or in Asian participants [38]. Another meta-analysis of 10 human studies (531 participants) found no effect on global cognition (SMD 0.14, 95% CI -0.78 to 1.07), with gains in working memory (SMD 1.01) and processing speed (SMD 0.37) in subgroups [39].
- Population
- Adults in RCTs, many older [38][39].
- Sources
- [38], [39]
- Caveats
- The two reviews disagree on global cognition. Domain gains come from subgroup analyses [39].
Not shown to help1
Hand osteoarthritis
One small pilot found hand pain fell from baseline over 3 months in adults over 50, but differences from placebo at 1 month were not significant.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- In 27 adults over 50, 170 mg of curcumin a day for 3 months lowered VAS pain from baseline by 1.37 at rest and 1.74 during activity, and improved DASH scores by 11.84. Differences against placebo at 1 month were not significant [41].
- Population
- 27 adults with hand osteoarthritis, 13 on curcumin [41].
- Sources
- [41]
- Caveats
- A pilot trial. The month 3 changes are reported against baseline [41].
Claimed, not studied in people1
Fibroids
Not studied in people. Animal studies found curcumin in the diet slowed human fibroid tissue grown in mice and cut spontaneous fibroids in hens.
No study in people. This rests on animal studies, lab studies.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- In hens, which develop fibroids naturally, 12 months of dietary curcumin at 25.8 or 53 mg per kg cut fibroid incidence from 58.9% to 37.7% and 24.5% (P 0.004) and slowed tumor growth [53]. In mice carrying human fibroid tissue, a curcumin diet led to about 60% less growth, less matrix protein and more cell death in the tissue [54]. In the lab, curcumin slowed the growth of human fibroid cells, did not slow matched normal uterine muscle cells, and lowered fibronectin [55]. It also slowed the growth of rat fibroid cells, acting through PPAR-gamma [56].
- Population
- 270 hens [53]; mice with human fibroid xenografts [54]; immortalized human fibroid and uterine muscle cells [55]; Eker rat fibroid cells [56].
- Sources
- [53], [54], [55], [56]
- Caveats
- Animal and cell studies. Doses per kilogram in hens and mice do not carry over directly to people, and no trial in women with fibroids or heavy bleeding was located.
Doses studied
CRP effects appeared at 1,000 mg a day or less and in trials longer than 10 weeks [14], while a diabetes review found larger CRP changes at 1 g a day or more [15]. Blood sugar effects were larger at 1 g a day or more [6]. Depression reductions were larger above 1.5 g a day [27]. Osteoarthritis trials ran up to 16 weeks [1], and one review describes use beyond 12 weeks [2]. Italian liver injury cases involved high-bioavailability, high-dose curcumin formulations [48]. Psoriasis trials gave 2 g a day of Meriva [30] and 4.5 g a day of curcuminoids [32]. COVID-19 trials most often gave nano-curcumin at 160 to 240 mg a day [40].
Risks
Reported risks3
Liver injury
Case reports: 10 US cases of turmeric liver injury, one fatal, plus 7 Italian cases with high-dose, high-bioavailability products, most improving after stopping.
The numbers and sources
- How common
- How often is not known: the sources give no rate.
- Effect
- The US Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network found 10 turmeric cases, all since 2011 and 6 since 2017. Injury was hepatocellular in 9, latency was 1 to 4 months, 5 were hospitalized and 1 died of acute liver failure. Seven carried HLA-B*35:01 (allele frequency 0.450 versus 0.056 to 0.069 in population controls), and 3 of 7 tested products also contained piperine [49]. In Tuscany, 7 cases of acute hepatitis were linked to high-bioavailability, high-dose curcumin products, with most improving after stopping. A systematic review found 23 more published cases [48].
- Population
- US case series [49]; Italian phytovigilance reports and published cases [48].
- Sources
- [49], [48]
- Caveats
- Case series give no rate. In the 23 published cases, most people were also taking at least one other medicine [48].
Kidney toxicity with immunosuppressive drugs
Limited evidence: a review reported kidney toxicity from high-dose turmeric taken with immunosuppressive drugs. Case numbers and drugs were not given.
The numbers and sources
- How common
- How often is not known: the sources give no rate.
- Effect
- A systematic review of 21 studies in people on dialysis or immunosuppressive drugs reported a food-drug interaction in which high doses of turmeric taken with immunosuppressive drugs caused kidney toxicity [50].
- Population
- RCTs and case reports in dialysis patients and immunosuppressed patients [50].
- Sources
- [50]
- Caveats
- The abstract does not give the number of cases or the drugs involved [50].
Lead chromate in turmeric spice
One study found lead chromate dye added to turmeric spice in 7 of 9 major growing districts of Bangladesh. Supplement capsules were not tested.
The numbers and sources
- How common
- How often is not known: the sources give no rate.
- Effect
- Across Bangladesh, lead chromate pigment adulteration was found in 7 of 9 major turmeric-producing districts, with turmeric powder lead up to 1,152 µg/g [51].
- Population
- 524 samples of turmeric, pigments, dust and soil, plus 152 supply chain interviews [51].
- Sources
- [51]
- Caveats
- Spice supply chain in one country, not supplement capsules.
Checked, no increase found1
Side effects in trials
Side effects were about as common as on placebo in most trials, though one cognition review found more. Short trials cannot detect rare liver injury.
The numbers and sources
- How common
- How often is not known: the sources give no rate.
- Effect
- In osteoarthritis trials, adverse events on turmeric extracts were similar to placebo and 12% fewer than on NSAIDs [1]. In depression trials, digestive (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.69 to 2.32) and neurological symptoms (OR 1.08) did not differ from control [25]. In COVID-19 trials, adverse events, mostly mild digestive symptoms, were comparable to placebo [40]. In 10 human cognition studies, adverse events were more frequent with curcumin than with control [39]. In 12 RCTs (1,303 people with diabetes), creatinine did not change (WMD -0.01 mg/dL, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.01) [52].
- Population
- Osteoarthritis, depression, COVID-19, cognition and diabetes RCTs [1][25][40][39][52].
- Sources
- [1], [25], [40], [39], [52]
- Caveats
- Trials of 16 weeks or less cannot detect the rare liver injury in the case series. The cognition review abstract does not give adverse event rates [39].
Claims tested and not found
- That turmeric changes joint structure in osteoarthritis. Imaging and biochemical markers did not differ from placebo [1].
Sources
- Wang Z, Singh A, Jones G, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Turmeric Extracts for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. Current Rheumatology Reports. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-020-00975-8
- Zeng L, Yu G, Hao W, et al. The efficacy and safety of Curcuma longa extract and curcumin supplements on osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Bioscience Reports. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20210817
- Wai HS, Pathomwichaiwat T, Suansanae T, et al. Effect of turmeric products on knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-05045-z
- Inprasit C, Bunyamahote S, Boonpattharatthiti K, et al. Evaluating the efficacy and safety of Curcuma longa, Boswellia serrata, and their mixed formulation in treating knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103256
- Chen J, Zhou Q, Yu W, et al. A critical review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of curcumin for knee osteoarthritis. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2025.1664319
- Bahari H, Jazinaki MS, Asadi Z, et al. Curcumin/Turmeric Supplementation on Glycemic Control in Adults With Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis. Food Science & Nutrition. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.71748
- Amgain K, Shah R, Md Noh SM, et al. Antidiabetic and Metabolic Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus or Hyperglycemia: A Systematic Meta-Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Nepal Health Research Council. 2025. https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v23i02.4708
- Karimi M, Moshrefi S, Bahman AD, et al. Effect of curcumin plus piperine co-supplementation on glycemic control in adults: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40200-025-01799-y
- Khongphakdee P, Jumnianpol J, Puttarak P, et al. Comparative effectiveness of turmeric and curcumin formulations on glycemic, lipid, and inflammatory markers in people with prediabetes: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103453
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