Turmeric compound may protect blood vessels from diabetes damage
New research presented at the American Physiology Summit indicates that curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, may protect blood vessels from damage caused by Type 1 diabetes. Studies in rats showed that the compound reduces inflammation and helps maintain vascular elasticity.
Why it matters
Finding natural compounds to mitigate diabetes-related heart disease could improve long-term health outcomes for millions of patients.
Curcumin, the natural compound responsible for turmeric's vivid yellow color, is widely studied for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. New research in rats suggests it may also help protect blood vessels from damage linked to diabetes.
The findings were presented at the 2026 American Physiology Summit in Minneapolis. The Summit is the flagship annual meeting of the American Physiological Society (APS).
"Curcumin acts as more than a simple compound found in a spice or an antioxidant. It not only helps to improve blood sugar levels but also reduces inflammation, restores cellular responses, and preserves both structure and function of the aorta in Type 1 diabetes," said the study's first author, Swasti Rastogi, a PhD candidate at Florida Institute of Technology.
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