More than 536 million people had type 2 diabetes globally in 2021, a number that is expected to continue to rise, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
This disease causes many serious complications such as damage to the eyes, nerves, kidneys and heart.
In a context where traditional treatments are often expensive and sometimes come with side effects, turmeric has emerged as a natural, low-cost solution, attracting the attention of scientists and the community.
Not only a spice in the kitchen, turmeric can also act as a medicine to bring many health benefits (Photo: Unsplash).
Turmeric and weight control in diabetics
A meta-analysis published in the journal Nutrition & Diabetes in 2023 looked at 20 clinical studies in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Results showed that supplementing with turmeric or curcumin (the main active ingredient in turmeric) helped participants lose an average of 1.9 kg compared to the placebo group.
In particular, in people with a body mass index (BMI) below 30, the weight loss reached 2.2 kg. For the prediabetic group, after 22 weeks of use, they lost an average of 2.5 kg and waist circumference of nearly 3 cm.
These findings suggest that turmeric may play a supportive role in weight management, an important factor in diabetes control.
The diverse benefits of curcumin
The benefits of turmeric are not limited to diabetes.
A 2024 meta-analysis in Frontiers in Pharmacology , which analyzed 25 articles, found that curcumin can reduce markers of inflammation, which may benefit people with rheumatoid arthritis or polycystic ovary syndrome.
Regarding cardiovascular health, curcumin helps reduce systolic blood pressure by about 2mmHg and diastolic by less than 1mmHg, while improving blood lipids by reducing total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL (bad cholesterol), while increasing HDL (good cholesterol).
For brain health, curcumin promotes the production of BDNF protein, which helps reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in some groups, while improving cognitive function in older adults.
In young women with menstrual cramps or premenstrual syndrome, curcumin has been shown to significantly reduce pain intensity and unpleasant symptoms.
Use with caution
Although turmeric has many uses, scientists emphasize that the effectiveness of this spice is often only modest and cannot completely replace traditional medical treatments.
What is more worrying is that overuse of turmeric can cause some side effects.
According to WebMD , doses of curcumin up to 8 grams per day are considered safe for up to 2 months, but exceeding this threshold can lead to problems. Using too much turmeric can cause digestive upset such as bloating, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or heartburn.
People with a family history of kidney stones or gallbladder disease should also be cautious, as curcumin may increase the risk of kidney stones or cause gallbladder spasms. Curcumin also interferes with iron absorption, leading to the risk of anemia in some people.
According to experts, people can supplement turmeric through their daily diet.
Those who want to supplement curcumin should consult their doctor, especially if they are taking diabetes medication, blood thinners, or have liver or kidney disease.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/loai-gia-vi-trong-bep-co-loi-ich-than-ky-gia-re-day-cho-20250823235020783.htm
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