Did you know that adding just one gram of turmeric to daily breakfasts could help to improve the memory of people, who are at risk of cognitive impairment? Turmeric has already been known to have anti-cancer properties, and more recent studies are indicating that it can help keep people mentally sharp. How is it possible that one spice can do all of these amazing things, though?
Curcumin, which is the active ingredient in turmeric, has been known to improve circulation and reduce inflammation. More recently, it has demonstrated that it can help to positively influence brain function. For people who have a history of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other neurological disorders, these findings are very exciting. Early intervention could help to reduce the burden, both by halting the disease and reducing the severity of the disease at hand.
Having a working memory is one of the most important mental faculties. It is integral for carrying out cognitive functions like planning, problem solving, and reasoning. If adding one gram of turmeric to your day can help improve cognitive function, you should definitely give it a shot. Turmeric is widely used in cooking, particularly in Asia. While it may be mistaken as ginger, it has an unmistakable orange color.
A recent research study was conducted with 60 people, aged 60-85, over the course of one month. The group was divided in half and half were given a curcumin supplement, while the other half was given a placebo supplement. The different subjects were instructed to complete a series of computerized mental tasks (word and picture memory, basic math, and reaction tasks) a few hours after taking the supplements and after the month of taking supplements.
The study found that the people who took curcumin performed much better at the computerized tasks and had better memory and vigilance than those who took the placebo. They also explained that they felt less stressed during these tasks and that they had overall calmness during one month trial. This was a preliminary test and there are still more tests to be done. One thing to note is that many studies have shown that turmeric can help naturally lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, also known as bad cholesterol; and it can help to kill cancer cells.
You can incorporate turmeric into your daily life by using the fresh root or turmeric powder. Season dressings, add turmeric to smoothies, or season soups and stews with this bold spice. If you like Indian food, turmeric should already be your best friend. You can also use turmeric to make salves that help to reduce joint pain! The possibilities are endless so get to creating!
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
