Indigestion (Dyspepsia)

Overview

Curcumin is the only supplement indexed for indigestion (5 studies; medium effect size, high evidence, high trust, WA 68). Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, has been studied with turmeric taken by mouth, where curcumin is the active component.

Trials suggest curcumin may reduce symptoms in some people. One study found benefits comparable to omeprazole, and another showed improvement similar to simethicone for fullness and discomfort, though symptoms returned more often after stopping in that trial. Evidence is promising but not uniform across formulations and durations. See the evidence reviews below.

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Curcumin	★★★★★	Medium

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Consider purchase★★★★★

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Effect SizeMediumEvidenceHighTrustHigh

Evidence Review

Turmeric taken by mouth may help some people with indigestion (dyspepsia).
Studies show that curcumin, a part of turmeric, works about as well as the medicine omeprazole to reduce indigestion symptoms.
In one study, taking turmeric 500 mg four times a day for a week helped more people than a placebo.
Another study found that turmeric taken after meals helped reduce symptoms like fullness and discomfort similarly to another medicine called simethicone, though symptoms came back more often after stopping turmeric.
Taking curcumin along with common indigestion medicines like omeprazole or famotidine did not improve symptoms more than the medicines alone.
Some of the studies had small numbers of participants and many people stopped the studies early, so more research is needed.

Browse 5 studies

RCTCurcumin and proton pump inhibitors for functional dyspepsia: a randomised, double blind controlled trial2023n=151

A study of 151 adults with diagnosed functional dyspepsia found curcumin (2 g/day) to be effective and comparably effective to omeprazole (20 mg/day) for reducing pain, nausea and gas, and improving patient satisfaction after 28 days. A combined treatment (2 g/day curcumin + 20 mg/day omeprazole) did not have synergistic benefits for dyspepsia symptoms or patient satisfaction and was comparable to individual treatments. There were no significant differences between the three groups. Benefits were greater in all groups at 56 days follow up compared to 28 days despite stopping treatment.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 28 days
Dose: 2 g/day
Population: Women
Participants: 151
Avg age: ~50

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RCTCurcuma longa Linn versus omeprazole in treatment of functional dyspepsia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial2022n=132

A 4-wk study of 132 patients with functional dyspepsia found that curcumin (4 x 500 mg/day) led to significantly greater reductions in pain (-16.98 ± 8.09 vs -10.53 ± 4.43; P < 0.001) and non-pain symptoms (-7.96 ± 3.41 vs -6.05 ± 3.03; P < 0.008) compared to placebo. Curcumin improved symptoms of pain, gas, bloating and nausea at a level comparable to omeprazole (1 tablet, dosage undisclosed). Curcumin trended towards greater patient quality of life after 4 weeks (EQ-5D) compared to other groups (0.12 ± 0.13 vs 0.09 ± 0.10 vs 0.07 ± 0.05; P = 0.055). [10234]

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 4 weeks
Dose: 500 mg/day
Population: Healthy adults
Participants: 132

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RCTEffect of Curcumin on Severity of Functional Dyspepsia: a Triple Blinded Clinical Trial2021n=39

In 75 functional dyspepsia patients, adding 500 mg/day curcumin to 40 mg/day famotidine for 1 month reduced dyspepsia severity and H. pylori positivity versus famotidine alone.

Effect: No Benefit
Duration: 1 month
Dose: 500 mg/day
Population: Healthy adults
Participants: 39

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RCTEfficacy of Curcuma longa in treatment of postprandial distress syndrome: An open-label randomized-controlled trial2019n=78

In 78 adults aged 20–60 with postprandial distress syndrome, 750–1500 mg/day Curcuma longa for 4 weeks improved symptoms similarly to simethicone, but recurrence was higher with curcumin.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 4 weeks
Dose: 750–1500 mg/day
Population: Pregnant women
Participants: 78
Ages: 20–60

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RCTRandomized double blind study of Curcuma domestica Val. for dyspepsia1989n=10

A 7-day study including 106 adults with dyspepsia given curcumin found that 87% of the curcumin group experienced an improvement compared to 53% in the placebo group. Both groups experienced a 50% satisfaction rate. [10237]

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 7 days
Population: Adults
Participants: 10

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Evidence visualised

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Effect-size distribution

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Study distribution across 1 supplements for indigestion (5 studies total).
Supplement	DEX	Studies	Meta-analyses	Share
Curcumin	★★★★★68%	5	0	100%

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Overview

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Studies

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