On average, patients who took the spice lost nearly 2kg (4.1lb) more than those given a dummy pill.<\/p>\n
Waistlines shrank by almost 2cm (0.75in), while body fat percentage fell by around three per cent.<\/p>\n
For those with prediabetes \u2013 the condition that often precedes full-blown diabetes \u2013 the effect was slightly greater, with average losses of 2.5kg (5.5lb) and waistlines more than an inch smaller.<\/p>\n
The review, published in Nutrition & Diabetes, analysed trials lasting between eight and 36 weeks, with daily doses ranging from 80mg to more than 2,000mg.<\/p>\n
Supplements are widely available on the high street, with Holland & Barrett, for example, selling a bottle of 90 capsules for \u00a314.75 \u2013 working out at just 16p each.<\/p>\n
Experts stress the results, while promising, are modest compared to the new generation of weight-loss jabs such as Ozempic and Wegovy.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/101589389-15038445-image-a-4_1756291259682.jpg\")
![\"Now](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/101589409-15038445-image-a-3_1756291259662.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
While researchers have suggested\u00a0 the simple supplement can aid weight loss, some experts are still weary and have warned it is not safe for some individuals<\/p>\n
Patients prescribed semaglutide typically lose 15 to 20 per cent of their body weight \u2013 the equivalent of two or three stone \u2013 compared to just 4\u20135lb with turmeric.<\/p>\n
Nutritionist Dr Adam Collins, from the University of Surrey, said: ‘Whilst the outcome is attention-grabbing, it is interesting to see weight loss appears to occur primarily in individuals who were non-obese (BMI less than 30).\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘Turmeric’s effects on fat burning are speculative, based largely on animal and cell studies.’<\/p>\n
Professor Tom Sanders, emeritus professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at King’s College London, added: ‘The average weight loss of 1.9kg was very modest.<\/p>\n
‘Because turmeric is bright yellow, it is difficult to blind participants from their treatment. Indeed, most studies showed no useful weight loss.’<\/p>\n
Independent expert Dr Thomas M. Holland, from Rush University in Chicago, said: ‘Even minor improvements in central obesity can reduce metabolic and cardiovascular risk.’<\/p>\n
Researchers and charities also warn that turmeric supplements are not safe for everyone.<\/p>\n
According to the NHS, people with gastrointestinal issues, liver problems, bile duct obstruction, gallstones or biliary disease should avoid them.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/96929429-15038445-image-a-1_1756291133650.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The British Heart Foundation cautions against combining turmeric with blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin, as this could raise the risk of dangerous bleeds.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pregnant women are also advised not to take high doses.<\/p>\n
There have also been rare reports of serious liver damage linked to high-dose curcumin, particularly when combined with black pepper extract (piperine), which can increase absorption twenty-fold.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dr Dina Halegoua-DeMarzio, of Thomas Jefferson University in the US, explained: ‘In some people, taking one pill of curcumin with pepper could be as potent as taking 20 pills at once with curcumin alone.’<\/p>\n
Most side-effects reported in the trials were mild \u2013 including stomach ache, constipation, itching and nausea.<\/p>\n
Experts stress supplements are not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle or medical treatment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But for millions struggling to keep their weight under control, the humble curry spice may offer a small, safe boost \u2013 as long as it’s taken with caution.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A daily dose of turmeric \u2013 the golden spice found in curries \u2013 may help people shed pounds…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":96636,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[97,59,102,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-96635","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"tag-dailymail","9":"tag-gb","10":"tag-health","11":"tag-uk","12":"tag-united-kingdom","13":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96635","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=96635"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96635\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/96636"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=96635"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=96635"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=96635"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}