Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health

Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health

The Effect of Curcumin Supplementation on Exercise Performance and Inflammation in Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Document Type : Review Article

Authors
Eduarda P Menezes 1
Giuseppe P Stefani 2
1 School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.
2 Olympic Studies Research Group (GPEO), School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.
10.22038/jnfh.2025.85354.1557
Abstract
Introduction: Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound with well-documented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, has been suggested to enhance muscle recovery and overall well-being among athletes. This study aimed to systematically review the literature to assess the effects of curcumin supplementation on physical performance and inflammatory biomarkers in healthy individuals. Methods: The study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of nineteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating oral curcumin supplementation versus placebo were included. The Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) framework was applied, focusing on healthy individuals, curcumin interventions, and outcomes related to physical performance and inflammatory biomarkers. Results: A total of nineteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of curcumin supplementation in healthy individuals were included. Several studies reported that curcumin exerted beneficial effects on performance-related biomarkers, such as maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max) and extension power, as well as reductions in inflammatory markers, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and creatine kinase (CK). However, the meta-analysis revealed that these changes were not statistically significant and that substantial heterogeneity existed among the studies. Conclusion: The findings indicated that curcumin supplementation did not result in significant improvements in aerobic performance, muscle strength, or inflammatory biomarkers. The absence of consistent effects may be attributed to the considerable heterogeneity across studies, as well as variations in dosage, intervention duration, and participant characteristics.
Keywords
Curcumin
Inflammation
Interleukin-6
Muscle strength
Physical endurance
Subjects
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Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health
Volume 14, Issue 2
Spring 2026
Pages 68-84

  • Receive Date 14 January 2025
  • Revise Date 03 September 2025
  • Accept Date 26 October 2025