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A new study from Japan’s Tohoku University suggests that the spicy green topping could boost both short- and long-term memory.
While the team of researchers knew that wasabi was linked to a wealth of health benefits — such as antibiotic, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties — they were “surprised” to see the “dramatic change” in participants’ cognition.
“The improvement was really substantial,” study author Rui Nouchi, an associate professor at the university’s Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, told CBS News.
Researchers observed 72 healthy adults over the age of 60 who were either randomly given a placebo or a supplement containing 6-MSITC, a bioactive compound in wasabi that has brain-boosting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
“These functions are important for increasing cognitive functions in older adults,” the study authors wrote.he study, published in the journal Nutrients, compared the cognitive performance of participants — such as “executive function, episodic memory, processing speed, working memory and attention” — before and after the experiment, which lasted 12 weeks.
While no improvement was seen in other areas of cognition, the group scored approximately 14% higher in brain function than the placebo group.
Researchers believe the wasabi extract lowered the levels of oxidants and inflammation in the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory.
But if you can’t handle the heat, other foods have previously been shown to have memory-boosting powers: Red wine, certain teas, dark chocolate, banes, cherries or blackberries, to name just a few.
This is because they contain flavanols — a compound that is linked to better short-term memory, according to a study published this year.
The research observed the memories of more than 3,500 participants, who consumed either a placebo or 500 mg flavanol supplement every day for three years. Those who rarely consumed flavanols before the experiment and began taking the supplements saw an improvement in memory function in as little as one year.
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The team of researchers observed 72 healthy adults over the age of 60, randomly dividing them into two groups. One group received a placebo, while the other received a supplement containing 6-MSITC, a bioactive compound found in wasabi known for its brain-boosting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Over the course of 12 weeks, the researchers compared various cognitive functions, including executive function, episodic memory, processing speed, working memory, and attention, before and after the experiment. Remarkably, the group who received the wasabi supplement scored approximately 14% higher in brain function compared to the placebo group.
The researchers postulated that the compound in wasabi played a role in reducing the levels of oxidants and inflammation in the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory. By doing so, wasabi appeared to enhance both short-term and long-term memory in the participants.
While wasabi is newly discovered as a memory-boosting food, other foods have previously been associated with improved memory. For example, foods like red wine, certain teas, dark chocolate, bananas, cherries, and blackberries have been found to contain flavanols, a compound linked to better short-term memory, as indicated by a study published this year.
This particular study involved over 3,500 participants who were given either a placebo or a daily supplement of 500 mg of flavanols for a period of three years. It was observed that those who had consumed minimal flavanols prior to the study experienced improvements in memory function in as little as one year.
Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of incorporating wasabi into our diets for cognitive health. However, it is important to note that if spicy foods are not to your liking, there are alternative options available for boosting memory.