Turmeric compound may protect blood vessels from diabetes damage

Turmeric's active component, curcumin, may help safeguard blood vessels from the damaging effects of diabetes, according to research presented at the 2026 American Physiology Summit in Minneapolis. Curcumin, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, was found to improve vascular health in rats with Type 1 diabetes.

First author Swasti Rastogi, a PhD candidate at Florida Institute of Technology, explained that curcumin not only helps manage blood sugar levels but also reduces inflammation, restores cellular responses, and preserves the structure and function of blood vessels. The study, conducted on a rat model of Type 1 diabetes, compared diabetic rats treated with curcumin to those that did not receive the compound.

After one month, the curcumin-treated rats exhibited improvements in vascular health comparable to non-diabetic rats. These improvements included reduced inflammation, restored normal calcium activity in blood vessels, and rebalanced heat shock protein 70, a protein whose regulation is disrupted by diabetes. While these findings suggest curcumin could potentially lower cardiovascular risks associated with diabetes, researchers emphasize that further human studies and clinical trials are required to confirm the same benefits in people.

Additionally, they stress the need to establish a safe and effective dosage and to monitor for potential interactions with other medications. As always, individuals should consult their healthcare provider before considering curcumin or any supplements.