The Effects of Curcumin Supplementation on Body Weight, Body Mass Index, and Waist Circumference in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Noorbakhsh Alivand; Soleyman Alivand; Seyed Jalil Masoumi; Sahar Foshati; Ebrahim Abbasi

doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuaf193

The Effects of Curcumin Supplementation on Body Weight, Body Mass Index, and Waist Circumference in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Nutr Rev. 2025 Nov 10:nuaf193. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuaf193. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Noorbakhsh Alivand¹, Soleyman Alivand², Seyed Jalil Masoumi¹, Sahar Foshati¹, Ebrahim Abbasi³

Affiliations

¹ Nutrition Research Center, Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71348-53185, Iran.
² Department of Biostatistical and Epidemiology, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, 81746-73461, Iran.
³ Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71348-53185, Iran.

PMID: 41211694
DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuaf193

Abstract

Context: Obesity is a prevalent comorbidity in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and contributes significantly to poor glycemic control and insulin resistance. Curcumin, a bioactive compound in turmeric, has shown potential in influencing body composition due to its anti-inflammatory and metabolic properties.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the effects of curcumin supplementation on body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC) in adults with T2DM.

Data sources: A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ISI databases up to January 2024. Reference lists of relevant articles and reviews were also screened manually.

Data extraction: Two independent reviewers (N.A. and S.A.) selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) based on predefined inclusion criteria and extracted data on BW, BMI, and WC changes. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used for quality assessment.

Data analysis: Nine RCTs involving 699 participants were included. Pooled estimates were calculated using a random-effects model. Curcumin supplementation significantly reduced BW (weighted mean difference [WMD], -1.65 kg), BMI (WMD, -0.69 kg/m2), and WC (WMD, -0.93 cm). Subgroup analyses indicated greater reductions at doses >1000 mg/d.

Conclusions: Curcumin supplementation may beneficially affect body composition parameters in T2DM patients, particularly at higher doses. Further high-quality RCTs are warranted to confirm long-term benefits and clinical significance.

Systematic review registration: This review was not registered in PROSPERO.

Keywords: body mass index; body weight; curcumin; diabetes; obesity; waist circumference.

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