Renewed scientific studies suggest that curcumin, turmeric’s active component, could support blood vessel health and improve markers linked to diabetes, though more research is needed to confirm benefits in humans.
Turmeric, the bright yellow spice common in Indian cooking, has attracted renewed scientific interest after a rat study suggested its active compound, curcumin, may help shield blood vessels from some of the damage linked with Type 1 diabetes. Researchers reported improvements in inflammation, calcium handling and the structure of the aorta, the body’s main artery, after 28 days of treatment. That fits with earlier animal research published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, which found curcumin improved diabetes-related endothelial dysfunction and reduced oxidative stress in rats.
The animal findings are not proof of benefit in people, but they add to a growing body of human research suggesting curcumin could support vascular health. A randomised, double-blind trial involving 136 people with type 2 diabetes found that Curcuma longa improved endothelial function and reduced arterial stiffness compared with placebo. Another randomised study of 227 obese adults with type 2 diabetes linked curcumin with lower pulse wave velocity and better cardiometabolic markers, while a 2024 trial reported improved beta cell function, which is important for insulin secretion.
More broadly, a systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2023 found that curcumin or turmeric supplements may lower blood pressure and improve endothelial function, and a 2025 study in Scientific Reports associated curcumin intake with better blood pressure, lipid levels and endothelial function in patients with diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk. Even so, the evidence remains mixed and is still developing. Curcumin is poorly absorbed, study doses are far higher than what most people get from food, and the current research does not show that adding turmeric to meals can replace prescribed diabetes treatment, insulin, exercise or broader dietary management.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
