Effect of Curcumin on Anthropometric Measures: A Systematic Review on Randomized Clinical Trials

Curcumin is an active constituent of turmeric. Recently, scientists have suggested that curcumin can be used in weight reduction. We performed a systematic review based on randomized controlled trials to assess the effects of curcumin supplementation on anthropometric variables.

We searched databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar up to August 2017. Randomized clinical trials assessing the effects of curcumin on anthropometric parameters in human adults were included.

Eight randomized clinical trials were allowed to be included in the systematic review. Five articles used the regular form of curcumin with short follow-up duration and did not indicate any significant effect on anthropometric measures, while three articles with significant results used either the more bioavailable form of curcumin or a longer intervention duration.

Randomized clinical trials related to curcumin effect on weight are limited but their result indicated useful effect of curcumin on weight. It seems that the bioavailable form of curcumin can reduce obesity and overweight. Further articles with longer duration of intervention and different forms of curcumin supplementation are necessary before any recommendation is made for clinical use of these interventions.