The effect of turmeric/curcumin supplementation on anthropometric indices in subjects with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

The effective management of diabetes, a prevalent metabolic condition globally, relies on paying close attention to anthropometric measurements, while recent years have seen a growing interest in researching the potential anti-obesity properties of turmeric/curcumin. In this systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, the impact of turmeric/curcumin supplementation on anthropometric indices in individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was assessed. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched to identify relevant records published from 1 January 1990 to 1 June 2024. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI), with a p-value ≤ 0.05 indicating statistical significance. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to assess the certainty of evidence. Twenty randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled analysis displayed that supplementation with turmeric/curcumin significantly decreased body weight (WMD: −1.9 kg; 95% CI: −2.9 to −0.9; P ≤ 0.001; GRADE = low), waist circumference (WMD: −1.9 cm; 95% CI: −3.5 to −0.2; P = 0.024; GRADE = low), fat mass% (WMD: −2.9%; 95% CI: −5.6 to −0.1, P = 0.041; GRADE = very low), and hip circumference (WMD: −1.0 cm; 95% CI: −1.2 to −0.8; P ≤ 0.001; GRADE = moderate) but no effects on body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio in people with T2DM. In individuals with prediabetes, body weight (WMD: −2.5 kg; 95% CI: −4.8 to −0.2; P = 0.037; GRADE = moderate) and waist circumference (WMD: −2.9 cm; 95% CI: −5.3 to −0.6; P = 0.015; GRADE = moderate) were significantly lower in the turmeric/curcumin supplement-treated group than their untreated counterparts. The study found that turmeric/curcumin has a beneficial effect on some obesity indicators, which could contribute to weight management in individuals with prediabetes and T2DM. Systematic Review Registration: This study was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42023440612.