We talk often on this blog about the connection between foods and brain health. One of the brain healthy ingredients we recommend working into your diet is turmeric, a bright orange spice that’s a component of many yellow curry powders. In rats, turmeric has been found to reduce amyloid plaques, one of the physical symptoms of Alzheimer’s. It’s also been shown to enhance memory in humans. Now scientists at the prestigious Salk Institute for Biological Studies are studying the possibility of using turmeric to treat traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and certain types of stroke. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which has neuroprotective properties and which has shown promise at rehabilitating injured brains in early tests. You can read more about the study here.
For recipes with turmeric, check out related recipes from our Brain Healthy Recipes section, like Curry Grilled Corn Soup or Curried Wheat Berry & Tomato Salad.