Effects of 8 Weeks of Turmeric Ingestion on Physiology and Wellbeing in Healthy Older Adults

NCT07196514 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2268061
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 80
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Curcumin (a bioactive compound found in turmeric) has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and there is evidence to suggest that it may produce improvements in quality of life and markers of health in humans with various conditions. To date, the research has often focussed on the effects of curcumin in human participants with a particular condition. However, turmeric contains hundreds of other bioactive compounds (including other curcuminoids and essential oils) and may be able to benefit a wide range of older adults. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of twice daily consumption of a turmeric beverage for 8-weeks on the physiology and wellbeing of older adults (versus placebo).

Conditions

Turmeric; Placebo

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Plasma/serum Brain-derived neurotrophic factor

  Measured using ELISA. We will analyse raw and percentage change values.

  Two timepoints: 1) baseline 2) after 8 week intervention

• Plasma/serum total cholesterol

  Measured using pentra C400 clinical chemistry analyser, We will analyse raw and percentage change values.

  Two timepoints: 1) baseline 2) after 8 week intervention

• Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS)

  This questionnaire measures participants' severity of physical and mental fatigue. This will be scored "Likert style" from 0-33. Higher scores indicate greater levels of fatigue.

  Two timepoints: 1) baseline 2) after 8 week intervention

Secondary Outcomes (29)

• Plasma/serum creatinine

  Two timepoints: 1) baseline 2) after 8 week intervention

• Depression Anxiety Stress Scales - 21 items (DASS-21)

  Two timepoints: 1) baseline 2) after 8 week intervention

• McGill Pain Questionnaire

  Two timepoints: 1) baseline 2) after 8 week intervention

• 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36)

  Two timepoints: 1) baseline 2) after 8 week intervention

• Plasma/serum ALT

  Two timepoints: 1) baseline 2) after 8 week intervention

Study Arms (2)

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

This group will take one placebo shot (containing a small amount of turmeric for taste-matching purposes) twice per day for 8 weeks.

Other: Placebo

Turmeric

EXPERIMENTAL

This group will take one 60 mL commercially-available shot (containing 30% turmeric) twice per day for 8 weeks.

Dietary Supplement: Raw turmeric shots

Interventions

Raw turmeric shots DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

This group will take one 60 mL commercially-available shot (containing 30% turmeric) twice per day for 8 weeks.

Turmeric

Placebo OTHER

This group will take one placebo shot (containing a small amount of turmeric for taste-matching purposes) twice per day for 8 weeks.

Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years - 95 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• \- Body Mass Index between 18.5-39.9.

You may not qualify if:

• History of, or currently diagnosed with, a cardiovascular disease.
• Diagnosed with diabetes.
• Diagnosed with a liver, lung, or kidney disease.
• Diagnosed with osteoporosis.
• Diagnosed with dementia.
• Diagnosed with cancer.
• Use of medications/supplements/herbal remedies with human evidence of a significant interaction with turmeric.
• Allergy to turmeric, lemon, black pepper, watermelon, water, pineapple, magnesium or vitamin C.
• Pregnant, attempting to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Regular (once per week or more) use of turmeric shots / supplements within the last 3 months.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Nottingham Trent University: lead
• Innate-Essence Limited: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Nottingham Trent University, Clifton campus

Nottingham, NG11 8NS, United Kingdom

RECRUITING

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor in Health and Immunology

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 19, 2025
• First Posted: September 29, 2025
• Study Start: October 6, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Last Updated: January 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

GB (1)