Curcumin supplementation contributes to relieving anthropometric and glycemic indices, as an adjunct therapy: A meta-research review of meta-analyses

Abstract

Background: Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound, can affect anthropometric and glycemic indices; however, the findings of existing meta-analyses are controversial. Study design: The current umbrella meta-analysis was performed among present systematic reviews and meta-analyses to investigate the effect of curcumin supplementation on anthropometric and glycemic indices. Methods: A comprehensive systematic search was performed on Embase, PubMed, WOS, Scopus, and Cochrane Library to obtain peer-reviewed papers published before 30/November/2021. meta-analysis was conducted using the random-effects model. Results: 12 meta-analyses were included in the current study. Our results have revealed that the curcumin supplementation can significantly decrease body mass index (BMI) (ES: −0.26; 95 % CI: −0.38, −0.14, p < 0.001; I2 = 0.0 %, P = 0.842), body weight (BW) (ES: −0.55; 95 % CI: −0.99, −0.12, p = 0.013; I2 = 81.1 %, p < 0.001), waist circumference (WC) (ES: −0.66; 95 % CI: −1.23, −0.09, p = 0.023; I2 = 72.4 %, p = 0.003), fasting blood sugar (FBS) (ES: −1.63; 95 % CI: −2.36, −0.89, p < 0.001; I2 = 88.4 %, p < 0.001), homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (ES: −0.38; 95 % CI: −0.48, −0.28, p < 0.001;I2 = 35.9 %, p = 0.142), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (ES: −0.44; 95 % CI: −0.67, −0.21, p < 0.001;I2 = 65.0 %, p = 0.014), and insulin (ES: −0.86; 95 % CI: −1.52, −0.21, p = 0.010; I2 = 92.5 %, p < 0.001). Conclusion: These findings recommend curcumin supplementation as a favorable intervention to improve anthropometric and glycemic indices.

Keywords

• Curcumin
• Anthropometric indices
• Umbrella meta-analysis
• Glycemic indices
• Obesity