The effect of curcumin supplementation on cognitive function: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
BackgroundPrevious randomized controlled trials (RCTs) did not draw a consistent conclusion about the effect of curcumin on cognitive function.MethodsWe searched Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase, and 9 RCTs (including 12 independent comparisons) with 501 subjects were included in...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1549509/full |
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| author | Wenlong Wang Rui Zhao Bingzheng Liu Kelei Li |
| author_facet | Wenlong Wang Rui Zhao Bingzheng Liu Kelei Li |
| author_sort | Wenlong Wang |
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| description | BackgroundPrevious randomized controlled trials (RCTs) did not draw a consistent conclusion about the effect of curcumin on cognitive function.MethodsWe searched Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase, and 9 RCTs (including 12 independent comparisons) with 501 subjects were included in the present meta-analysis.ResultsCompared with placebo, supplementation of curcumin significantly improved global cognitive function (SMD, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.19 to 1.45; p = 0.010). A curvilinear dose–response effect was observed, and the optimal dose is 0.8 g/day. Subgroup analysis indicated that the beneficial effect of curcumin on cognition was significant only if duration ≥24 weeks (SMD, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.13 to 2.18; p = 0.027), age of participants ≥60 years (SMD, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.03 to 2.21; p = 0.044), or participants from Asian countries (SMD, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.08 to 1.83; p = 0.032). Otherwise, this effect became non-significant (p > 0.05). Sensitivity analysis by excluding each study one by one or excluding all studies with high risk of bias did not obviously influence the final results. No significant publication bias was observed (P for Begg’s Test and Egger’s test = 0.150 and 0.493, respectively).ConclusionSupplementation of curcumin can effectively improve global cognitive function, and the optimal dose and duration is 0.8 g/day and ≥24 weeks. The beneficial effect of curcumin on cognition is more potent in older and Asian participants than younger and Western ones. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eaa0ddd6ce464d278291f7c67094d30b |
| institution | OA Journals |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-eaa0ddd6ce464d278291f7c67094d30b2025-08-20T02:26:22ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-04-011210.3389/fnut.2025.15495091549509The effect of curcumin supplementation on cognitive function: an updated systematic review and meta-analysisWenlong Wang0Rui Zhao1Bingzheng Liu2Kelei Li3Institute of Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Research, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, ChinaInstitute of Nutrition and Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaInstitute of Nutrition and Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaInstitute of Nutrition and Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaBackgroundPrevious randomized controlled trials (RCTs) did not draw a consistent conclusion about the effect of curcumin on cognitive function.MethodsWe searched Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase, and 9 RCTs (including 12 independent comparisons) with 501 subjects were included in the present meta-analysis.ResultsCompared with placebo, supplementation of curcumin significantly improved global cognitive function (SMD, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.19 to 1.45; p = 0.010). A curvilinear dose–response effect was observed, and the optimal dose is 0.8 g/day. Subgroup analysis indicated that the beneficial effect of curcumin on cognition was significant only if duration ≥24 weeks (SMD, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.13 to 2.18; p = 0.027), age of participants ≥60 years (SMD, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.03 to 2.21; p = 0.044), or participants from Asian countries (SMD, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.08 to 1.83; p = 0.032). Otherwise, this effect became non-significant (p > 0.05). Sensitivity analysis by excluding each study one by one or excluding all studies with high risk of bias did not obviously influence the final results. No significant publication bias was observed (P for Begg’s Test and Egger’s test = 0.150 and 0.493, respectively).ConclusionSupplementation of curcumin can effectively improve global cognitive function, and the optimal dose and duration is 0.8 g/day and ≥24 weeks. The beneficial effect of curcumin on cognition is more potent in older and Asian participants than younger and Western ones.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1549509/fullcurcumincognitionAlzheimer’s diseasemeta-analysisRCT |
| spellingShingle | Wenlong Wang Rui Zhao Bingzheng Liu Kelei Li The effect of curcumin supplementation on cognitive function: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis Frontiers in Nutrition curcumin cognition Alzheimer’s disease meta-analysis RCT |
| title | The effect of curcumin supplementation on cognitive function: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | The effect of curcumin supplementation on cognitive function: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | The effect of curcumin supplementation on cognitive function: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of curcumin supplementation on cognitive function: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | The effect of curcumin supplementation on cognitive function: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | effect of curcumin supplementation on cognitive function an updated systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | curcumin cognition Alzheimer’s disease meta-analysis RCT |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1549509/full |
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