The health benefits of turmeric are widely known and have been used in traditional Indian medicine for hundreds of years. 

Turmeric has been shown to have the ability to reduce inflammation, improve brain function, fight cancer, help wounds heal faster, and even help reduce menstrual cramps – but today we will look particularly at turmeric and its effects on blood sugar.

This study will look at ten different ways that turmeric can help reduce blood sugar levels. 

Let’s get started!

Turmeric Aids Insulin Receptors

According to a study in Planta Medica, a plant-based compound called curcumin, which is found in turmeric, can help reduce resistance to insulin by aiding receptors in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. To boost your intake of curcumin, add some turmeric to your diet — it’s commonly used as a spice in Indian cuisine.

Some possible ways to use it include adding fresh or dried turmeric to soups or rice dishes, or sprinkling some on eggs at breakfast time. 

In addition, you can find it sold as an herbal supplement at health food stores and online; follow any dosing instructions on product labels carefully before taking any supplements.

Turmeric Reduces Inflammation

Curcumin is known to reduce inflammation, which in turn can help manage high blood sugar. 

Curcumin has even been shown to reduce markers of inflammation that are linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, including C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha).

In fact, curcumin’s anti-inflammatory effects may explain its ability to help lower cholesterol levels in patients with diabetes. 

As one study found, turmeric extract may be as effective as a leading statin drug at reducing cholesterol-but without harmful side effects!

Turmeric and its effects on blood sugar levels

An important study conducted by University of Texas-El Paso researchers has shown how turmeric can positively affect glucose levels in diabetic rats. The study investigated two groups of lab rats: one group was given a standard diet and another group was given a high-fat diet, which caused them to develop insulin resistance.

The second group was then fed with turmeric extract for eight weeks and their glucose levels were monitored regularly. 

At eight weeks, researchers found that both types of diabetic rats had similar blood sugar levels as those of healthy non-diabetic control animals.

Turmeric Burns Fat Faster

A 2015 study published in Diabetes Care found that curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, had the potential to become a useful dietary supplement for preventing and treating type 2 diabetes. 

The study involved 262 people with prediabetes; half of whom took a placebo, while half took curcumin tablets at varying doses.

Curcumin was shown to be able to reduce fasting blood sugar levels by as much as 8%, also causing improvement in insulin resistance. 

Again, these results were seen after only eight weeks of treatment. This is great news for those who want an all-natural alternative for lowering blood sugar levels and preventing type 2 diabetes.

Turmeric Combats Oxidative Stress

For people with diabetes, oxidative stress can cause nerve damage and other serious complications. A study conducted at Lucknow University in India found that curcumin has a protective effect on humans with type 2 diabetes. 

The study divided 24 diabetic patients into two groups and added turmeric or placebo to their diets for three months.

At the end of three months, both groups showed improvement, but turmeric was found to be particularly effective against oxidative stress and it also reduced blood sugar levels. 

This is important because oxidative stress plays a role in many diabetes complications.

Turmeric Suppresses Fat Synthesis

There is a significant amount of research suggesting that curcumin suppresses fat synthesis in a dose-dependent manner and also inhibits lipid accumulation in preadipocytes by activating PPAR alpha. 

Curcumin has been shown to prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis in animal models.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of liver disease worldwide, and it’s strongly associated with insulin resistance. Individuals with NAFLD often progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Turmeric Inhibits Pancreatic Enzymes

A 2007 study found that curcumin inhibits three key pancreatic enzymes, including two (protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B and phosphodiesterase-4) that interfere with insulin receptor signaling and a third (serine protease) that directly interferes with insulin processing.

As a result, it could offer protection against developing diabetes or slow its progression.

In an animal study, published in phytotherapy research, researchers found that mice given turmeric for one week had significantly lower blood sugar levels than untreated mice who experienced a 400 percent increase in blood sugar. 

After administering a chemical to induce diabetes in both groups of mice, those treated with curcumin developed normal blood sugar within four days while those not treated had no improvement.

Turmeric Protects Against Heart Disease

A study published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (2014) found that curcumin, an antioxidant found in turmeric, is effective at reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. 

LDL is commonly referred to as bad cholesterol because of its role in causing plaque buildup. 

Curcumin also promotes insulin sensitivity-which means your body can use blood sugar more effectively. 

This can help lower your risk for heart disease and diabetes.

Turmeric Prevents Liver Damage

Now research has shown that curcumin (one of turmeric’s ingredients) can actually prevent liver damage from occurring. According to a study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, liver health is maintained when curcuminoids are present. 

The researchers found that rats who were administered turmeric orally had lower levels of hepatic oxidative stress than rats not given any turmeric.

This finding suggests that curcumin may be beneficial for human patients experiencing liver disease as well. To maintain healthy blood sugar levels while preventing liver damage, consider adding more turmeric to your diet.

Turmeric Improves Memory

A number of studies have found that curcumin can increase antioxidant activity and improve memory.

In a 2007 study published in Neurology, researchers from Japan gave 89 healthy adults either 1,000 milligrams (mg) of curcumin or a placebo every day for 18 months. 

People who took curcumin were 20 percent less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment than those who took a placebo.

Another study found that people with Alzheimer’s who took either 2 gm of turmeric supplements per day or 4 gm per day had slower declines in function over 18 months than those taking only 1 gm daily.

Final Thoughts on Turmeric and Blood Sugar

It’s possible that by using turmeric, you could drastically reduce your blood sugar levels. 

While there’s not much evidence that it can eliminate diabetes completely, it has been shown to help lower blood sugar levels. 

In one study where mice were given high-fat diets along with turmeric extracts, they had significantly lower body fat and insulin resistance than mice who weren’t given turmeric extracts. 

It also helped improve cholesterol and liver health. 

These findings suggest that in addition to helping keep blood sugar in check, turmeric can also reduce your chances of developing heart disease or liver damage associated with diabetes.