These 8 Herbs & Spices Can Be Good For Your Brain Health
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Dementia is on the rise in America. According to the National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer’s disease is now the sixth-leading cause of death. It has gotten to the point where most of us have known someone affected by dementia. That’s all the more reason to do what we can to keep our brains healthy.
I’ve heard for years that doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku on a regular basis is a good way of exercising your brain. We should also pay attention to what we’re putting in our bodies. Well and Good has a report about tweaking our diets for better brain health. It’s time to reload your spice rack with these brain boosters:
- Cinnamon – An extract made from cinnamon helped protect lab rats from cognitive impairment in one study. It may also have benefits for Parkinson’s patients.
- Ginger – It has been found to be useful in treating dementia and Alzheimer’s.
- Nutmeg – Research suggests a nutrient found in nutmeg may help improve cognition and memory.
- Pepper – The very common seasoning has been shown to improve memory deficit.
- Rosemary – This tasty herb has been shown to improve memory in older adults and protect against neurodegenerative diseases.
- Saffron – Rich in antioxidants, this spice has also been shown to be as effective as the Alzheimer’s drug Memantine after one year of use.
- Sage – The herb has been found to improve learning and cognition in older adults with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s, and improve memory in healthy individuals.
- Turmeric – There’s evidence that rates of Alzheimer’s disease are lower in countries where people eat more spicy food, especially curry, which is made with turmeric. One study shows that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, improved memory in adults by 28% over 18 months.
Phil Harris is 50% of "Phil & Mel in the Afternoon" on K104.7. He has been with the station since 2013 and on the air in Charlotte since 2000. Before coming to the Queen City, Phil worked for radio stations in Pittsburgh, Austin, and Seattle. In addition to the weekly "Throwback Threesome" music video feature, Phil writes about things that matter to Charlotte sports fans and pet owners. He happens to be both.
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