That old dependable bowl of porridge has been a breakfast staple since our earliest years. And it doesn’t just taste good: overnight oats are packed with energy, loaded with fibre that will keep you feeling fed the whole AM, and contain useful vitamins like B and E. But if you’re not spicing up that spoonful, you might be missing out on a chance to boost your memory. Turns out that cinnamon, which can turn even the most tired dishes into moreish mouthfuls, could be a hidden mind booster.
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In a massive meta-analysis of 40 studies published in Nutritional Neuroscience, researchers found that the spice may significantly ramp up cognitive function with notable boosts to both learning ability and memory skills.
For their study, the researchers looked at 40 different pieces of research into the relationship between cinnamon and cognitive function. In one clinical study, for example, researchers found that chewing cinnamon gum for 40 days had a positive effect on memory. Another study showed that eugenol, a component of cinnamon, could inhibit amyloid plaques (which have been linked with Alzheimer’s).
But the super-healing powers of spices aren’t just reserved for cinnamon. In your cupboard, right now, are a plethora of mood-boosting, fat-burning, flavour-enhancing powders that might give you an all-day boost. Let’s look at a few spices that could shake up your meal plan:
1. Turmeric
It’s a staple in most curries, but this spice brings more to the table than just flavour. Lab studies and clinical trials have found it might be able to ward off osteoarthritis and a host of other diseases. Is butter chicken on the menu tonight? We think so.
2. Ginger
A staple in many Asian cuisines, ginger is big on flavour and might be the digestive aid you need to avoid gurgles and gassiness throughout the day. A 2018 review in Food Science & Nutrition found that enzymes in this meal-enhancer can help break up and expel gasses that form during digestion, giving you relief from that groan-inducing discomfort that tends to rear its ugly head after a sizable lunch.
3. Cumin
Cumin and most meats go together like, well, cumin and most meats. But this pairing isn’t just pleasing to the palette, it might also help reduce your stress levels.
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A study on rats found that those who were fed an extract of this tranquil spice had a lower stress response when faced with a stressful activity than the rodents tackling the same task sans the added flavour. While, yes, the results are limited to these smaller critters. It’s possible we humans might derive the same benefits from the spice.
Plus, cumin has been linked with increased weight loss and may even boost memory. Now, that’s a mouthwatering combination.
