Curcumin May Clear Cataracts

This review, published in the European Journal For Integrative Medicine, looked at whether curcumin—the main compound in turmeric—can help prevent or treat cataracts. Cataracts are a major cause of blindness around the world. They happen when the clear lens in the eye becomes cloudy, often because of damage from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress means there is an excess of unstable molecules (called free radicals) in the body that can harm cells and tissues. Curcumin is a natural antioxidant, meaning it can neutralize free radicals and reduce this damage.

Researchers searched multiple scientific databases to find studies that tested curcumin’s effects on cataracts. Out of 206 papers, only 17 met the criteria for this review. These included studies on animals (in vivo), lab-grown cells (in vitro), or both. All 17 studies showed that curcumin helped prevent cataract formation or slowed its progress. The main ways it worked were by decreasing damage to fats in cells and boosting antioxidant enzymes that protect the eye.

However, there have been no clinical trials in humans to confirm these benefits. Experts agree that testing curcumin in people is crucial before it can be recommended as a treatment. Another challenge is that curcumin does not dissolve well in water, making it hard for the body to absorb enough through the digestive system. Scientists believe improving its absorption, called bioavailability, will be key to making it effective as medicine.