Research suggests that curcumin may offer modest benefits for cognitive function in certain populations, particularly older adults and those with existing cognitive impairment, though the overall evidence is mixed and context-dependent. A 2025 meta-analysis pooling data from nine randomized controlled trials found a statistically significant improvement in global cognitive function, with effects appearing most pronounced in adults over 60 and in longer-duration supplementation, while a 2019 meta-analysis of six trials found benefits in healthy older adults but a slight decline in Alzheimer's patients on a standard cognitive assessment. Multiple systematic reviews and narrative reviews support curcumin's theoretical relevance to brain health through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, and one 2024 systematic review consistently identified improvements in working memory across several adult populations including those with metabolic conditions and mood disorders. However, two randomized controlled trials — one in healthy middle-aged adults and one in patients with chronic kidney disease — found no meaningful cognitive benefits, and researchers across studies consistently flag important limitations including small sample sizes, variability in curcumin formulations and doses, heterogeneous study populations, and the need for larger and more rigorously designed trials before confident recommendations can be made.
Citations from PubMed and preprint sources. Match score (0-100) reflects automated search ranking, not clinical appraisal.
| Title | Type | Year | Direction | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The role of nutrition in Alzheimer's disease. | Other | 2021 | Supports | 72 |
| Curcumin Supplementation and Vascular and Cognitive Function in Chronic Kidne... | Other | 2024 | — | 67 |
| Pathobiology of the Klotho Antiaging Protein and Therapeutic Considerations. | Review | 2022 | Supports | 62 |
| Curcumin: A Golden Approach to Healthy Aging: A Systematic Review of the Evid... | Systematic review | 2024 | Supports | 57 |
| Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: The Mechanisms of Si... | Review | 2022 | Neutral | 52 |
| Over the Counter Supplements for Memory: A Review of Available Evidence. | Review | 2023 | Supports | 47 |
| Dietary Supplements for Health, Adaptation, and Recovery in Athletes. | Review | 2018 | Neutral | 42 |
| Curcumin attenuates neuroinflammation and improves cognitive function in a ra... | Other | 2025 | Supports | 37 |
| Curcumin and Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review of the Effects of Curcum... | Review | 2024 | Supports | 32 |
| Curcumin intervention for cognitive function in different types of people: A ... | Meta-analysis | 2019 | Mixed | 27 |
| The effect of curcumin supplementation on cognitive function: an updated syst... | Systematic review | 2025 | Supports | 22 |
| Curcumin supplementation and motor-cognitive function in healthy middle-aged ... | Other | 2018 | — | 17 |