Scientific Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin

7. Curcumin May Play a Role in Depression Treatment

Like Alzheimer’s, depression is associated with lower levels of BDNF. Thanks to turmeric’s ability to boost levels of BDNF, the spice shows promise as an effective antidepressant. In fact, one study found that rats injected with 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg of curcumin for 10 days had a dose-dependent increase in BDNF, with the higher dose of 200 mg/kg showing greater antidepressant effects.

Meanwhile, in a study in humans, researchers randomly assigned 60 patients with major depressive disorder to one of three groups: One group received daily 20 mg of fluoxetine (Prozac is a common brand name),

another received 1,000 mg of curcumin, and a third received a combination of the two. By the end of six weeks, the three groups saw comparable improvements, leading researchers to suggest that curcumin may be a safe and effective treatment for major depressive disorder.

Still, scientists don’t fully understand the role of turmeric and curcumin in treating depression, and more research in humans is needed to confirm it is a safe and effective treatment. You should consult your primary care practitioner before beginning or changing any medications you may be taking.

8. Curcumin May Play a Role in Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

Curcumin shows promise as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory disorder that commonly affects the joints but may spread to other areas, such as the eyes, lungs, skin, heart, and blood vessels.

RA causes a painful swelling of the joints that can cause the bones to erode over time and ultimately lead to deformities and physical disabilities.

In one study, people with RA were given 500 mg of curcumin, 50 mg of diclofenac sodium (a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), or the two in combination.

After eight weeks, the curcumin-only group saw significant improvements in joint tenderness and swelling when compared with the other two groups. Researchers note the curcumin treatment was also safe, resulting in no harmful events.




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