Curcumin is a component of turmeric that is characterised by its distinctive yellow appearance and astringent taste. Evidence from animal and cell culture studies suggests that curcumin may decrease free and total testosterone levels and this may occur through inhibition of steroidogenesis in the leydig cells of the testes. If curcumin was able to have a similar effect in humans it might be expected that consuming curcumin would have detrimental effects on athletic performance, and in particular on muscle strength. However, studies tend to support a positive effect for curcumin and turmeric on athletic performance with no negative effects reported. In particular, the athletes display reduced levels of inflammation and oxidation and reduced levels of post-exercise muscle damage when consuming curcumin. Improved gastrointestinal function has also been reported in subjects consuming curcumin. Therefore in humans, nutritionally relevant levels of curcumin may not elicit the same negative effects as seen in animal studies.
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