The evaluation responds to ongoing debate over curcumin’s impression on neurological operate, following inconsistent outcomes from earlier randomized managed trials (RCTs).
Drawing on up to date knowledge from 9 RCTs involving 501 members, the assessment discovered that curcumin supplementation considerably enhances international cognitive operate, significantly in people age 60 and over.
The researchers from Qingdao College in China recognized an optimum dose of 800 mg per day, sustained over a minimal length of 24 weeks, to realize measurable advantages.
Curcumin and cognition
Curcumin, the bioactive polyphenol present in turmeric, is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties and has been studied for its potential to alleviate joint ache, particularly in individuals with osteoarthritis.
Nevertheless, its position in cognitive operate has been much less clear, with blended proof to this point. The researchers on the present meta-analysis stated their outcomes contradict two earlier meta-analyses from 2019 and 2021, each of which discovered no important cognitive advantages.
“Since 2021, a number of new RCTs have been printed. Due to this fact, we carried out an up to date meta-analysis to judge the impact of curcumin on international cognition and discover the dose–response relationship,” they wrote within the journal Frontiers in Diet.
“The pattern measurement of the current examine was about two occasions of earlier meta-analyses, making the end result extra believable.”
Research particulars
Information from 9 randomized managed trials printed as much as September 2024 indicated that whereas curcumin supplementation considerably improved international cognitive operate, there was a non-linear dose-response relationship, which means that larger doses didn’t at all times lead to higher enhancements.
“Research in mice indicated that curcumin had a greater enhancing impact on AD [Alzheimer’s disease] at a decrease dose,” the researchers wrote. “That could be why the enhancing impact of curcumin on international cognition tends to grow to be weaker when dose is greater than 0.8 g/day.”
In addition they famous the significance of the bioavailability of curcumin formulations and the way this will have an effect on outcomes.
“Subgroup evaluation in response to curcumin product having enhanced bioavailability or not noticed constant end result,” the researchers wrote. “As well as, distinction in bioavailability of curcumin product can also be an necessary supply of between-study heterogeneity.”
The examine concluded that curcumin considerably improved international cognition provided that the length of supplementation was 24 weeks or longer, with the compound showing stronger in older and Asian members than youthful and Western ones.
“We assume that genetic distinction throughout ethnic teams is one attainable motive,” the researchers added. “Completely different ethnic teams even have totally different and even reverse response to another vitamins, equivalent to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in sufferers with kind 2 diabetes. Completely different well being standing of members is one other potential supply of heterogeneity.”
Supply: Frontiers in Diet. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1549509. “The impact of curcumin supplementation on cognitive operate: an up to date systematic assessment and meta-analysis.” Authors: W. Wenlong, et al.
