A group of cognitive health and aging research specialists from multiple institutions in Japan have uncovered a surprising potential benefit of consuming wasabi for older adults.
In a study published in the journal Nutrients, researchers investigated the impact of daily wasabi tablet consumption on both long- and short-term memory retention in older individuals.
The results revealed that ingesting wasabi tablets led to improvements in memory, particularly in memory association tasks, providing exciting insights into the cognitive benefits of this traditional Japanese condiment.
Exploring Wasabi’s Cognitive Potential
Wasabi, a plant native to Japan and the Russian Far East, is known for its green rhizome, which is used in various culinary applications as a condiment or ingredient.
It has gained attention for its potential health benefits due to its anti-inflammatory properties attributed to 6 methylsulfinyl hexyl isothiocyanate (6-MSITC) and antioxidant properties.
Some reports have suggested that wasabi may also have a calming effect on the brain, leading to its availability as a supplement in health food stores. The study aimed to examine these cognitive claims.
The study involved 72 Japanese volunteers aged between 60 and 80. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups:
one group received daily wasabi tablets containing 0.8 milligrams of 6-MSITC, while the other group received a daily placebo tablet. The trial spanned 12 weeks, during which participants took their respective tablets before bedtime.
Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, mental disorders, memory issues, those on certain medications, and heavy drinkers were excluded from the study.
Cognitive and memory tests were administered to all participants before and after the trial period.
The results of the study were notable. Those who consumed the wasabi tablets demonstrated enhancements in both long-term and short-term memory, without any significant changes in cognitive abilities.
Moreover, participants in the wasabi group performed better on memory association tests, such as connecting names to faces, which is a common challenge among aging adults.
In contrast, individuals in the placebo group did not experience improvements in memory or cognitive function.
Conclusion
This study sheds light on the potential cognitive benefits of including wasabi in the diet of older adults.
Regular consumption of wasabi tablets, containing 6-MSITC, was associated with improvements in memory, particularly in tasks related to memory associations.
While more research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and to confirm these findings, the study suggests that incorporating wasabi into one’s diet may offer a surprising and natural way to support memory function in older age.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about how Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about plant nutrients that could help reduce high blood pressure, and these antioxidants could help reduce dementia risk.
The research findings can be found in Nutrients.
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