June 24 (HealthDay News) -- The curry spice turmeric may help reverse obesity-related inflammation and reduce type 2 diabetes risk, according to Columbia University Medical Center researchers.

In obese mice, turmeric significantly reduced inflammation in fat tissue and the liver and reduced the rodents' susceptibility to type 2 diabetes. The researchers believe curcumin -- an ingredient in turmeric -- may be responsible, United Press International reported.

The study was presented at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society and will be published in the journal Endocrinology.

"It's too early to tell whether increasing dietary curcumin -- via turmeric -- intake in obese people with diabetes will show a similar benefit," researcher Dr. Drew Tortoriello said in a prepared statement, UPI reported.

"Although the daily intake of curcumin one might have to consume as a primary diabetes treatment is likely impractical, it is entirely possible that lower dosages of curcumin could nicely complement our traditional therapies as a natural and safe treatment," Tortoriello said.