Curcumin is the active fraction of turmeric — only about 3% of the spice by weight, which is why concentration and absorption matter so much.
What is Curcumin?
Curcumin is a Curcuminoid that plays a critical role in giving turmeric its golden colour. While many general diets overlook it, maintaining optimal levels of Curcumin is frequently tracked by people working to optimize their hs-CRP (inflammation).
Top Foods High in Curcumin
A data-driven breakdown of the foods with the highest concentration of Curcumin per 100 g.
| Food | Curcumin |
|---|---|
| Turmeric | 3,000 mg |
How Curcumin Impacts hs-CRP (inflammation)
Research links diets rich in Curcumin to changes in hs-CRP (inflammation). Diets naturally abundant in this compound often support lower hs-CRP (inflammation) markers by inhibiting the inflammatory NF-κB pathway.
Scientific references & clinical evidence
This guide is built on peer-reviewed research — verify the primary sources below.
- “Efficacy and Safety of Curcumin and Curcuma longa Extract in the Treatment of Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial”. PubMed / source ↗
- “Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin/turmeric supplementation in adults: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials”. PubMed / source ↗
Written by the Nutrition Encyclopedia team · medically reviewed by Dr. Sunaina Tariq, MBBS
Last updated 21 June 2026
How we source & verify data · Medical disclaimer
Nutrition values are approximations compiled from public food-composition databases (USDA FoodData Central) and are provided for educational purposes only — not medical advice.
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