Abstract:
Background and Objective: Quality of life in severe obesity may be affected by gastrointestinal symptoms such as reflux, bloating, dyspepsia, stomach pain, and altered bowel patterns. Curcumin, bioactive compound found in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and has been investigated for its potential role in gastrointestinal health. However, its effects in individuals with severe obesity remain unclear. Thus, the goal of the study was to investigate the effect of curcumin supplementation on gastrointestinal symptoms in women with severe obesity.
Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out with thirty-one women with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m² undergoing bariatric surgery. Participants were randomized to receive either 1,500 mg of curcumin (98.75%) or placebo (1,500 mg corn starch) daily for 13 weeks. Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and stool consistency by the Bristol stool scale were applied to verify gastrointestinal symptoms. Anthropometric measurements were also collected.
Results: Participants had an average age of 33.1 ± 8 years and BMI of 45.6 ± 3.31 kg/m². No differences were observed between groups at baseline. The curcumin group showed a significant reduction in GSRS total score compared to the placebo group (p = 0.002), with improvements in constipation (p = 0.007) and eructation (p = 0.011) at the end of the study. Additionally, the curcumin group reduced BMI (p = 0.019) and neck circumference (p = 0.042).
Conclusions: These findings suggest that curcumin supplementation may alleviate some gastrointestinal symptoms and improve anthropometric measures in women with severe obesity, providing a potential dietary strategy.
