Effects of curcumin on depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in adults: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

IF 4.5 4区医学 Q2 FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Food & Nutrition Research Pub Date : 2026-09-24 eCollection Date: 2026-01-01 DOI:10.29219/fnr.v70.14735

Saleh A Alsanie, Mansour Alblaji, Nouf Abdullah Alharbi, Fahad Saad Alhodieb, Moein Askarpour

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Curcumin, a bioactive polyphenol extracted from Curcuma longa, has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties that may benefit mental health. However, evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) remains inconsistent.

Objective: This systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis aimed to quantitatively assess the effects of curcumin supplementation on depression, anxiety, and stress in adults.

Methods: Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched up to December 2025 for RCTs. Two reviewers independently conducted study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Subgroup, meta-regression, sensitivity, dose-response, and time-response analyses were conducted. Moreover, publication bias and certainty of evidence were evaluated. The study protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD420251208049).

Results: Twenty-six RCTs encompassing 1,491 participants were included. Curcumin supplementation significantly reduced symptoms of depression (SMD = -1.53; 95% CI: -2.05 to -1.02), anxiety (SMD = -1.67; 95% CI: -2.42 to -0.93), and stress (SMD = -1.71; 95% CI: -3.37 to -0.06) compared with placebo. Dose-response analysis indicated a significant nonlinear association, suggesting that higher curcumin doses (>1.5 g/day) were associated with greater reductions in depressive symptoms. Subgroup analyses showed slightly greater improvements among female participants and those experiencing psychological distress.

Conclusions: Curcumin supplementation may provide a potential benefit for depression, anxiety, and stress; however, substantial between-study heterogeneity and moderate-to-low certainty of evidence limit confidence in the generalizability of these findings. Further well-designed RCTs are warranted to confirm these findings.

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来源期刊

Food & Nutrition Research FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY-NUTRITION & DIETETICS

CiteScore

5.20

自引率

9.10%

发文量

审稿时长

14 weeks

期刊介绍： Food & Nutrition Research is a peer-reviewed journal that presents the latest scientific research in various fields focusing on human nutrition. The journal publishes both quantitative and qualitative research papers. Through an Open Access publishing model, Food & Nutrition Research opens an important forum for researchers from academic and private arenas to exchange the latest results from research on human nutrition in a broad sense, both original papers and reviews, including: * Associations and effects of foods and nutrients on health * Dietary patterns and health * Molecular nutrition * Health claims on foods * Nutrition and cognitive functions * Nutritional effects of food composition and processing * Nutrition in developing countries * Animal and in vitro models with clear relevance for human nutrition * Nutrition and the Environment * Food and Nutrition Education * Nutrition and Economics Research papers on food chemistry (focus on chemical composition and analysis of foods) are generally not considered eligible, unless the results have a clear impact on human nutrition. The journal focuses on the different aspects of nutrition for people involved in nutrition research such as Dentists, Dieticians, Medical doctors, Nutritionists, Teachers, Journalists and Manufacturers in the food and pharmaceutical industries.