Curcumin Eases Depression Symptoms, More Clearly in Women
Graded Moderate — a meta-analysis of 26 randomized trials with 1,491 adults, limited by highly inconsistent results and moderate-to-low certainty of evidence.
- Design
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- Participants
- 1,491
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- Funding
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Curcumin reduced depression and anxiety symptoms more than placebo, with the depression effect concentrated in women.
Curcumin, the main active compound in turmeric, reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress more than placebo across 26 randomized trials. The trials included 1,491 adults taking 60 to 3,000 milligrams a day for 4 to 52 weeks. For depression, doses above 1.5 grams a day tended to do better, and the effect was larger in women, while no clear effect was found in men. Results varied widely between trials, though, many were small and short, and side effects were reported incompletely. The authors also stress that statistical significance does not prove a clinically noticeable benefit.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.
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