Nutr Res Pract.  2016 Apr;10(2):212-220. 10.4162/nrp.2016.10.2.212.

Association of curry consumption with blood lipids and glucose levels

• Kwon Y

• KMID: 2313920
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2016.10.2.212

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric, is highly consumed in South Asia. However, curry that contains turmeric as its main spice might be the major source of curcumin in most other countries. Although curcumin consumption is not as high in these countries as South Asia, the regular consumption of curcumin may provide a significant health-beneficial effect. This study evaluated whether the moderate consumption of curry can affect blood glucose and lipid levels that become dysregulated with age.
SUBJECTS/METHODS
This study used data obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted from 2012 to 2013, to assess curry consumption frequency as well as blood glucose and blood lipid levels. The levels of blood glucose and lipids were subdivided by age, sex, and body mass index, and compared according to the curry consumption level. The estimates in each subgroup were further adjusted for potential confounding factors, including the diagnosis of diseases, physical activity, and smoking.
RESULTS
After adjusting for the above confounding factors, the blood glucose and triglyceride levels were significantly lower in the moderate curry consumption group compared to the low curry consumption group, both in older (> 45) male and younger (30 to 44) female overweight individuals who have high blood glucose and triglyceride levels.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that curcumin consumption, in an ordinary diet, can have health-beneficial effects, including being helpful in maintaining blood glucose and triglyceride levels that become dysregulated with age. The results should be further confirmed in future studies.

Keyword

Blood glucose; curcumin; curry; triglyceride; turmeric

MeSH Terms

Asia
Blood Glucose
Body Mass Index
Curcuma
Curcumin
Diagnosis
Diet
Female
Glucose*
Humans
Korea
Male
Motor Activity
Nutrition Surveys
Overweight
Smoke
Smoking
Spices
Triglycerides
Blood Glucose
Curcumin
Glucose
Smoke

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