Turmeric and Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels

Research synthesisModerate evidenceModerate effect4 studies · 3 beneficial · 1 neutral · 0 harmful

Turmeric (curcumin) shows moderate evidence for reducing C-reactive protein levels, with 3 of 4 studies reporting beneficial effects of moderate magnitude. The median study duration was 42 days, and effects were observed primarily in clinical populations (rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome).

Studied populations: adults with chronic inflammatory conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome)

Caveats: The evidence base is small (4 studies); one meta-analysis with a large effect size had very low quality evidence. A single study in athletes showed no significant effect, suggesting that benefits may be limited to populations with existing inflammation.

Generated May 17, 2026

Doses used in studies

g/day: 2 (median 2, IQR 2–2) — 1 study

Time to effect

Median: 6 weeks · IQR 6 weeks–6 weeks · Range 6 weeks–6 weeks — Reported in 1 of 4 studies

Safety in these studies

Overall tolerabilityReported
No explicit adverse events or safety findings are reported in the abstract.
from: Clinical Potential of Curcuma longa Linn. as Nutraceutical/Dietary Supplement for Metaboli

4 of 4 papersPopulation:

Curcumin for the clinical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials.
- 2026-01-12
- Meta-Analysis · n = 244
- Frontiers in immunology 16
- - Yihua Fan
  - Zhiqiang Yi
  - Shijie Mao
  - Jialu Wen
  - Jiwei Zhang
  - Qiang Zhang
  - Ruihan Liu
- PubMed: 41601662
- DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1726157
8 Insights on
- Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels
- High evidence
- Clinical
C-reactive protein (CRP) level (SMD = -2.91, 95%CI(-4.42, -1.39), P = 0.0002; very low)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Significant
Yes
Does curcumin supplementation affect inflammation, blood count and serum brain-derived neurotropic factor concentration in amateur long-distance runners?
- 2025-01-14
- RCT · n = 15
- PloS one 20(1)
- - Sebastian Bańkowski
  - Ziemowit Bronisław Wójcik
  - Małgorzata Grabara
  - Dariusz Ozner
  - Tomasz Pałka
  - Agata Stanek
  - Ewa Sadowska-Krępa
- PubMed: 39808679
- DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0317446
6 Insights on
- Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels
- High evidence
- Athletes
The results showed no significant changes in C-reactive protein (CRP)... due to curcumin supplementation.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
Dose
2g/day
Curcumin Attenuates Hyperglycemia and Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Quantitative Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial.
- 2024-11-30
- Meta-Analysis
- Nutrients 16(23)
- - Kabelo Mokgalaboni
  - Reneilwe G Mashaba
  - Wendy N Phoswa
  - Sogolo L Lebelo
- PubMed: 39683570
- DOI: 10.3390/nu16234177
3 Insights on
- Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Clinical
Additionally, there was a significant decrease in C-Reactive Protein in curcumin compared to a placebo, SMD = -0.59, 95%CI (-1.11, -0.07), p = 0.03
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Clinical Potential of Curcuma longa Linn. as Nutraceutical/Dietary Supplement for Metabolic Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- 2025-12-24
- Review
- Foods (Basel, Switzerland) 15(1)
- - Samuel Abiodun Kehinde
  - Zahid Naeem Qaisrani
  - Rinrada Pattanayaiying
  - Bo Bo Lay
  - Khin Yadanar Phyo
  - Wai Phyo Lin
  - Myat Mon San
  - Nurulhusna Awaeloh
  - Sasithon Aunsorn
  - Ran Kitkangplu
  - Sasitorn Chusri
- PubMed: 41517125
- DOI: 10.3390/foods15010060
9 Insights on
- Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels
- Low evidence
- Clinical
lowering C-reactive protein (SMD = -0.62; 95% CI: -0.81 to -0.43)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes

Turmeric and Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels

Curcumin for the clinical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials.

Does curcumin supplementation affect inflammation, blood count and serum brain-derived neurotropic factor concentration in amateur long-distance runners?

Curcumin Attenuates Hyperglycemia and Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Quantitative Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial.

Clinical Potential of Curcuma longa Linn. as Nutraceutical/Dietary Supplement for Metabolic Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.