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Evidence-Based Supplement Research
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Turmeric and Reduced Body Mass Index

Research synthesisModerate evidenceSmall effect6 studies · 4 beneficial · 2 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 6 studies (4 beneficial, 2 neutral), turmeric/curcumin shows predominantly small beneficial effects on reducing body mass index (BMI). The most robust evidence comes from a network meta-analysis in type 2 diabetes (moderate effect) and an RCT in women with severe obesity (small effect). Two meta-analyses in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and broader T2DM populations found no significant effect, indicating that benefits may be population-specific. The median study duration was 91 days, but only one study reported this detail.

  • Studied populations: clinical populations with type 2 diabetes, severe obesity, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Caveats: Beneficial effects were not consistent across all populations – two meta-analyses in NAFLD and broader T2DM/hyperglycemia found no significant BMI reduction. Most studies did not report dose or duration, limiting dose-response conclusions. The only reported dose was 1500 mg/day curcumin in a single RCT. Form of turmeric/curcumin was not specified in the majority of studies, so no form-specific conclusion is possible.

Generated Jun 15, 2026
Doses used in studies
  • mg/day: 1,500 (median 1,500, IQR 1,500–1,500) — 1 study
Time to effect
Median: 3 months · IQR 3 months–3 months · Range 3 months–3 months — Reported in 1 of 6 studies
Safety in these studies
6 of 6 papers
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