Across 4 studies, all reported beneficial effects of turmeric/curcumin on fasting blood glucose, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. A meta-analysis of 18 RCTs (2024) found a moderate mean reduction of -11.48 mg/dL (p < 0.01), while another meta-review (2025) reported a small mean difference of -6.30 mg/dL. The evidence primarily comes from clinical populations with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome, and study durations were not consistently reported.
Caveats: Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). Most studies did not specify the form of curcumin or dose, limiting specific dosing guidance. Study durations were not consistently reported, so the time needed to achieve effects is unclear.
No significant effects were observed on total cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood urea nitrogen, or creatinine levels.
from: Antidiabetic and Metabolic Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) in Patients with Type 2 DiaNo significant effects were observed on total cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood urea nitrogen, or creatinine levels.
from: Antidiabetic and Metabolic Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) in Patients with Type 2 DiaNo significant effects were observed on total cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood urea nitrogen, or creatinine levels.
from: Antidiabetic and Metabolic Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) in Patients with Type 2 DiaNo significant effects were observed on total cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood urea nitrogen, or creatinine levels.
from: Antidiabetic and Metabolic Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) in Patients with Type 2 DiaNo significant effects were observed on total cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood urea nitrogen, or creatinine levels.
from: Antidiabetic and Metabolic Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) in Patients with Type 2 DiaNo explicit adverse events or safety findings are reported in the abstract.
from: Clinical Potential of Curcuma longa Linn. as Nutraceutical/Dietary Supplement for Metabolilong-term interventions using bioavailable forms of curcumin showed improvements in serum fasting glucose
Supplementation with curcumin led to a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose, MD = -11.48 mg/dL, 95%CI (-14.26, -8.70), p < 0.01
The pooled analysis revealed that curcumin significantly reduced FBG (mean difference [MD] = - 6.30 mg/dL; 95% CI: - 9.33, - 3.27)
Curcumin supplementation significantly reduced fasting blood sugar (SMD = -0.54, 95% CI -0.72 to -0.36)