Turmeric, also known as the golden spice, is popular in Asian cuisine and has been a part of traditional Indian medicine — or Ayurveda — for thousands of years.
Most of turmeric’s health properties can be attributed to curcumin, a compound that has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties..
Recent studies indicate that turmeric may play a role in weight loss.
However, you may wonder whether it’s effective — and how much you would have to take to see results.
This article explains whether turmeric aids weight loss.
Turmeric and weight loss
Recent research has examined turmeric’s role in weight loss.
In fact, test-tube studies suggest that curcumin may suppress particular inflammatory markers that play a role in obesity. These markers are typically elevated in people with excess weight or obesity.
Animal studies indicate that this compound may promote weight loss, reduce fat tissue growth, curb weight regain, and enhance your sensitivity to the hormone insulin.
What’s more, a 30-day study in 44 people who were previously unable to lose weight found that supplementing twice a day with 800 mg of curcumin and 8 mg of piperine led to significant reductions in body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist and hip circumference.
Piperine is a compound in black pepper that may boost curcumin absorption by up to 2,000%.
Furthermore, a review of 21 studies in over 1,600 people linked curcumin intake to reduced weight, BMI, and waist circumference. It also noted increased levels of adiponectin, a hormone that helps regulate your.
While current research is promising, more human studies are needed before turmeric can be recommended for weight loss.
SUMMARYTurmeric’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity — mostly related to its compound curcumin — may play a role in weight loss. All the same, further human research is necessary.