Is Turmeric Good for Diabetes?
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Turmeric and Diabetes

Turmeric and Diabetes
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Published on April 4, 2025
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Some research suggests that turmeric, a spice with a long history of medicinal use in ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, may help prevent or treat type 2 diabetes. It’s been used to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, allergies, and infections for centuries.

 Though some studies indicate that turmeric may help improve blood sugar control, medical authorities have not endorsed it as a diabetes treatment.

What Are Turmeric and Curcumin?

Turmeric is a spice commonly used in curry powder, and curcumin is its active ingredient. The spice is made from a root that looks similar to ginger, and its brilliant deep yellow orange color comes from the curcumin it contains.

 You can purchase turmeric as a raw root, powder, pill, or even in gummies.

“Turmeric has been used as an herbal medicinal plant to address inflammation, and is commonly used in culinary applications in many cultures,” says Nicole Patience, RDN, CDCES, a certified diabetes care and education specialist with Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.

Curcumin has antioxidant properties that may help prevent or treat type 2 diabetes, along with many other health conditions.

 While it makes up only a small percentage of turmeric’s total volume, curcumin is the focus of most of the attention the plant gets as a natural medicine. It is also possible to buy isolated curcumin for use as a supplement.

Turmeric and curcumin have long been considered safe as both a food ingredient and a medicinal supplement, but turmeric products have recently been implicated in several dozen cases of acute liver injury.

 Talk to your healthcare provider before using it as a medical supplement.

12 Scientific Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin

12 Scientific Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin

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The Research on Turmeric and Diabetes

Some studies suggest that turmeric may help prevent and treat diabetes, or that curcumin supplementation may help reduce insulin resistance. Curcumin’s known anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects could also have a positive effect on glucose metabolism.

One review of studies found curcumin may reduce fasting blood glucose, A1C levels, and body mass index. But the authors note that more study is required, and it’s not clear what an effective dose may be.

“There have been many animal and human studies trying to decipher the best dosage, but there is no conclusive evidence,” says Sandra Arévalo, RDN, MPH, CDCES, the director of the Jacob’s Family Pride Wellness Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital in New York and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Another study that looked into turmeric dosage found that patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes who took 1,500 milligrams (mg) of curcumin daily for 12 months saw a significant decrease in fasting blood sugar and A1C numbers compared with those who took a placebo.

 Yet another meta-analysis of more than 20 studies found that people must take curcumin supplements for longer than 10 weeks to see these benefits.

Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties could also help play a role in diabetes treatment. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are also both associated with heightened inflammation levels, and scientists have investigated a variety of anti-inflammatory treatments for diabetes. But public health authorities have yet to recommend them to the general public.

Other Health Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric may have benefits to help improve health conditions that are often associated with diabetes. It may:

  • Lower Inflammation Chronic inflammation contributes to many health conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), psoriasis, atherosclerosis (a hardening of the arteries), and diabetes. The anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin may help ease symptoms of these diseases.

  • Delay Age-Related Diseases The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of curcumin may help delay the time when your cells stop multiplying, which is a natural process that plays a role in aging and age-related diseases such as heart disease as well as diabetes. More research is needed.

  • Improve Arthritis Pain People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune condition that affects the joints, face an increased risk in developing diabetes.

     One review found that supplementing with curcumin significantly improved inflammation and related symptoms such as painful, swollen joints.

     One small study found that it had a similar effect on osteoarthritis, but more research is needed.

How to Add Turmeric as a Spice or Supplement

It has long been a staple of Indian and other Asian dishes, but there’s no shortage of ways to add this warm, peppery spice to your diet.

“Including turmeric in sweet and savory dishes is a great way to add the benefits of curcumin to your diet,” Patience says. She suggests including the aromatic spice in smoothies, soups, stews, salad dressings, and marinades. Or steep the turmeric root in hot water and enjoy it as a tea, suggests Arévalo.

Curcumin may be most effective for diabetes when taken long-term in doses higher than what you’d get in your daily diet, says Patience. So, if you’re interested in including turmeric or curcumin in your diabetes care plan, you might consider supplements. It’s essential to discuss your plan with your healthcare provider before you buy them.

“Turmeric can impact other medications,” says Patience. High doses of curcumin found in supplements may lessen the effects of pain relievers; it should be avoided if you’re on chemotherapy, and it could increase the risk of bleeding in people who take blood thinners.

In addition, Patience warns that supplements aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and may contain contaminants or additional components that aren’t listed. Your safest bet is to choose a supplement that’s been third-party tested for safety. Patience suggests looking for a supplement with the logo of U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), ConsumerLab, or NSF International on the label.

The Takeaway

  • Turmeric and its active ingredient curcumin may help manage symptoms of type 2 diabetes, but no definitive conclusions have been drawn about its effectiveness or dosage.
  • Turmeric may also relieve symptoms of other inflammatory health conditions commonly found in people with diabetes, such as heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Incorporating turmeric into your cooking, such as in smoothies or soups, can be a safe way to explore its potential health benefits.
  • If you’re interested in taking supplements, speak to a healthcare professional before doing so. They can react with other medications, including pain relievers and blood thinners.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Turmeric Benefits. Johns Hopkins Medicine.
  2. Pathomwichaiwat T et al. Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Supplementation on Glucose Metabolism in Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Sydrome; An Umbrella Review and Updated Meta-Analysis. PLoS One. July 20, 2023.
  3. Sharifi-Rad J et al. Turmeric and Its Major Compound Curcumin on Health: Bioactive Effects and Safety Profiles for Food, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnological and Medicinal Applications. Frontiers in Pharmacology. September 2020.
  4. Curcumin. Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute.
  5. Turmeric. LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury. June 1, 2024.
  6. Marton LT et al. The Effects of Curcumin on Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Endocrinology. May 2, 2021.
  7. Yaikwawong M et al. Curcumin Extract Improves Beta Cell Functions in Obese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrition Journal. 2024.
  8. Zheng X et al. The Effect of Curcumin Supplementation on Glycemic Indices in Adults: A Meta-Analysis of Meta-Analyses. Prostaglandins & Other Lipid Mediators. December 2024.
  9. Tsalamandris S et al. The Role of Inflammation in Diabetes: Current Concepts and Future Perspectives. European Cardiology Review. April 14, 2019.
  10. Peng Y et al. Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Curcumin in the Inflammatory Diseases: Status, Limitations and Countermeasures. Drug Design, Development and Therapy. November 2021.
  11. Cox FF et al. Protective Effects of Curcumin in Cardiovascular Diseases—Impact on Oxidative Stress and Mitochondria. Cells. January 2022.
  12. Tian Z et al. The Relationship Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cardiovascular Endocrinology & Metabolism. February 2021.
  13. Kou H et al. Effect of Curcumin on Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Immunology. May 2023.
  14. Curcumin For Arthritis: Does It Really Work? Harvard Health Publishing.
  15. Third-Party Testing Guidance. U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
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Lynn Grieger, RDN, CDCES

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Lynn Grieger is a registered dietitian-nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist, certified personal trainer, and certified health and wellness coach. She completed requirements to become a registered dietitian at Valparaiso University in 1987 and completed a dietetic internship at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Illinois, in 1988. 

Lynn brings her expertise in nutrition, exercise, and behavior change to her work in helping people reach their individual health and fitness goals. In addition to writing for Everyday Health, she has also written for websites and publications like Food and Health Communications, Today's Dietitian, iVillage.com, and Rodale Press. She has a passion for healthy, nutrient-dense, great-tasting food and for being outdoors as much as possible — she can often be found running or hiking, and has completed a marathon in every state.

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Lauren Bedosky is an experienced health and fitness writer. She regularly contributes to top websites and publications like Men's Health, Women's Health, MyFitnessPal, SilverSneakers, Runner's World, Experience Life, Prevention, AARP, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Livestrong, Fitness, Shape, Family Circle, Healthline, Self, Redbook, and Women's Running.

When she's not writing about health and fitness — her favorite topics being anything related to running and strength training — she's reading up on the latest and greatest news in the field and working on her own health goals.
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