Consuming substantial quantities of curcumin can promote conversion of white adipose tissue into brown adipose tissue.
Even though all mice in the study consumed relatively similar amounts of calories, the mice gained less weight if they were administered curcumin supplements. These mice had a greater number of mitochondria in their lower abdominal cavity, suggesting that these changes may have been a result of a greater amount of brown adipose tissue.
Conclusions
Many experts have theorized that increasing brown adipose tissue may be one mechanism through which progress can be made in the prevention of obesity and metabolic syndrome. This study adds to the plethora of evidence supporting the health benefits of turmeric, which is where curcumin is found in the diet.
References