One trial involving mice found that turmeric has the potential to improve learning and memory function. The scientists suggested that turmeric could be used to treat stress-related amnesia. (37)
Find out the best ways to use turmeric in your diet to benefit the most from this golden spice.
Ginger boosts brain function
Ginger is a root similar to turmeric that is also good for your brain and mental health.
Studies have shown that taking ginger can boost brain power in middle-aged persons. One study found that taking ginger extract at a dose of 800 mg daily helped enhance brain power over a 2-month period. Ginger improved working memory, recognition, and concentration levels. (38)
One trial found that the ginger compound 6-shogaol positively impacts brain function and can help delay the onset of dementia. (39)
Find out more about how ginger can not only enhance your memory, but also improve your digestion, alleviate cramping, and treat hypertension.
You can also benefit from combining the healing powers of turmeric and ginger into a delicious anti-inflammatory tea.
Green Tea Helps the Brain Function Better
Green tea is a great energizing drink for your mind that can help to increase your concentration levels.
The brain-boosting effect of green tea comes from the compound l-theanine. This amino acid helps improve mental performance and attention. Also, green tea contains caffeine that helps give the brain more energy.
One study found that the combination in green tea of l-theanine and caffeine has a greater effect on improving memory, attention, and working memory. Green tea also has a beneficial effect on the brain in helping to reduce anxiety. (40)
Learn more about the many uses of green tea in helping to lose weight, improve your cardiovascular health, and preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Also read about the health benefits of caffeine in increasing your alertness, improving attention, and improving cognitive health.
Herbs that Boost Brain Power
Adding certain herbs or herbal supplements to your food can also have a brain-enhancing effect:
Sage
Studies have shown that sage is a brain-healthy food that enhances brain function and helps to increase memory potential. The positive effect of sage on brain health also protects against neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Research shows that sage can affect a person’s cognitive abilities and may have a potential in treating neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. (41)
Another clinical trial published on 2017 showed that patients with mild to moderate forms of the disease improved their cognitive skills and experienced less agitation after taking sage for four months. (42)
Scientists explain that sage’s positive effects on the brain probably have to do with a combination of chemicals that also inhibit an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which disturbs neurotransmitters’ function in patients with Alzheimer’s. Further studies are expected to establish how sage could contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s medications, which currently cause a lot of unwanted side effects. (43)
Further reading: Proven Health Benefits of Sage (Science Based).
Rosemary
A randomized controlled trial found that dried rosemary leaf powder helps to boost brain performance. Taking 750 mg of dried rosemary daily helped improve memory performance in elderly people. (44)
Did you know that sniffing rosemary essential oil can also improve brain and cognitive function? Read about it in my article about the proven benefits and uses of rosemary essential oil.
Peppermint helps against mental fatigue
A 2018 study on the effects of peppermint on humans found that peppermint oil helps reduce mental fatigue and improve mood. Consuming peppermint oil capsules helped increase brain power in healthy adults and increase mental endurance. (45)
Even inhaling peppermint oil aromas helped to increase alertness and enhance memory. (46)
