Will Eating Curry Lower Your Diabetes Risk?

Researchers from Thailand recently released in a new study findings that a compound found in curry spice may help prevent diabetes. The results published in the journal Diabetes Care found that over nine months, a daily dose of curcumin seemed to prevent new cases of diabetes among those with pre-diabetes. Curcumin is a compound in tumeric spice. Previous research has shown this spice to fight inflammation and oxidative damage to body cells. Those two processes feed a range of diseases, including Type 2 diabetes.
"Because of its benefits and safety, we propose that curcumin extract may be used for an intervention therapy for the prediabetes population," wrote study leader Somlak Chuengsamarn of Srinakharinwirot University in Nakomnayok, Thailand.
The study included 240 Thai adults with prediabetes who were randomly assigned to curcumin tablets or the placebo. Those taking the curcumin capsule took six supplements a day. After nine months, 19 of the 116 taking the placebo developed Type 2 diabetes, compared to none of the 119 patients taking curcumin.
Researchers found that the supplement seemed to improve the function of the beta-cells, which are cells in the pancreas that release the blood-sugar regulating hormone insulin. They speculated that the anti-inflammatory properties of the curcumin helped protect beta-cells from damage.
But take caution, warns a diabetes expert not involved in the study. "This looks promising, but there are still a lot of questions," said Constance Brown-Riggs, a certified diabetes educator and spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The trial only lasted nine months, and often with longer lasting trials lifestyle changes are often the biggest method of preventing Type 2 diabetes. Brown-Riggs added that consumers can't be sure that a product actually contains the ingredient listed on the label. "If I was talking to a patient about this, I'd say concentrate on eating healthy and overall lifestyle," she said.
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Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Care in CT
Podiatrist in Bristol, CT
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