[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/02\/spices-boost-brain\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/02\/spices-boost-brain\/","headline":"4 Spices That Give Your Brain a Boost","name":"4 Spices That Give Your Brain a Boost","description":"What we eat affects our memory, cognition, mood and focus. Learn how spices such as turmeric, cinnamon, saffron and black pepper can boost brain power.","datePublished":"2015-02-14","dateModified":"2022-05-26","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/neurosurgery-regions","name":"Neurosurgery","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/neurosurgery-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/neurosurgery\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/spices-boost-brain.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/spices-boost-brain.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/02\/spices-boost-brain\/","about":["Neurosurgery and Brain Health","Nutrition"],"wordCount":576,"keywords":["Alzheimer's disease","brain boost","brain health","curcumin","dementia","depression","spices","turmeric"],"articleBody":"Where did I put my car keys? What day is it? What was on my grocery list?No matter your age, we all look for ways to improve our memory, get smarter, or just keep our brain \u2013 and our bodies \u2013 healthy. Just as food affects the health of the rest of our bodies, what we eat also affects our memory, cognition, mood, and focus.Many spices and herbs are known to promote brain power, improve memory and focus, and offer protection to your brain cells. For example, gingko biloba is a common herbal supplement used to improve memory.RELATED:\u00a0How Your Brain Makes Food DecisionsHere are four spices that may help improve brain function that you can begin adding to your diet today.4 Spices That Boost Your BrainTurmericTurmeric is the key spice in curry that gives it its yellow color.Curcumin, the most commonly studied compound in turmeric, is known for its ability to reduce inflammation, thereby offering preventive benefits for a host of diseases including diabetes, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease. A recent study found that aromatic-turmerone, another compound in the spice, may help brain cells repair themselves.Although turmeric is common in curry, you can get this spice on its own. It has a mild, smoky flavor, making it easy to add to any dish. Sprinkle it on steamed vegetables, or add color and flavor to fish and chicken. It also makes a great food dye, as only a little bit will turn anything yellow.CinnamonYou’ve probably already have cinnamon in your cabinet, and at least use it occasionally. This spice could be labeled a superfood with its antioxidant content ranking up there with blueberries and pomegranates. It also has the added benefit of reducing inflammation, fighting bacteria and making you more alert.One study has shown that cinnamon can increase cognitive functioning, even just through smell alone, and it is being considered as a possible treatment to enhance cognition in the elderly and people with symptoms of dementia.You’ll find two common types of cinnamon: Ceylon and cassia. When adding cinnamon to your daily diet, a little goes a long way. Just half a teaspoon to one teaspoon a day is all you need. That’s a little sprinkle in your coffee, cereal, oatmeal, or toast. For an added kick at dinner, try adding cinnamon to a spice rub with your favorite peppery spices.SaffronThis is a great spice for those suffering from depression. In studies, saffron offered as a supplement has shown to greatly reduce depression symptoms.Saffron has an intense flavor, so if you add it to food, just use a tiny pinch. Supplement form may be the best route to take this spice \u2013 though, as it is expensive.Black pepperBlack pepper is one of the most commonly traded spices in the world and may have quite a few brain-boosting effects. Studies have shown that piperine, the primary component in black pepper, can help improve brain function and lower depression symptoms. It’s also great to pair with other foods and spices, especially turmeric, because it may improve the bioavailability of nutrients in other foods, meaning your body absorbs more of the good stuff from what you eat.So try spicing up your meals a little more, and maybe you’ll have better luck finding your keys tomorrow.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on February 14, 2015, and was last reviewed on May 26, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2015","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"02","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/\/02\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"4 Spices That Give Your Brain a Boost","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/02\/spices-boost-brain\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]