Wasabi Improves Memory - Study 0 10

The study involved several dozen elderly individuals aged 60 to 80 years. Half of them took 100 mg of wasabi extract before bedtime for three months, while the other half received a placebo that was indistinguishable in appearance and taste from the real extract. At the beginning and end of the experiment, all participants underwent tests on various types of memory, attention and concentration, as well as other higher cognitive functions.

The wasabi extract significantly improved episodic and working memory, allowing participants to better remember details of stories told, as well as names and faces of other people. However, the extract did not affect other cognitive functions, including long-term memory. Nevertheless, the improvement in short-term memory is already a positive result.

Research on the effects of wasabi extract on the brain is not new. There is evidence that it improves mental state in individuals around 56 years old who begin to experience memory difficulties. There are also reports that wasabi extract enhances cognitive functions in younger individuals, whose average age is 37.5 years, suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. This time, scientists aimed to determine how wasabi extract would affect an older group.

We are not accidentally emphasizing wasabi extract. It is known that wasabi contains a large amount of 6-(Methylsulfinyl)hexyl isothiocyanate, or 6-MSITC. This compound has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and it is usually discussed when talking about the benefits of wasabi. The experimental extract contained 0.8 mg of 6-MSITC, while the rest of the extract consisted of polymers binding 6-MSITC and other substances that facilitate its absorption in the intestine and entry into the bloodstream. The authors of the study suggest that 6-MSITC improves memory by suppressing age-related inflammation and oxidative stress in the hippocampus, which is considered one of the key centers of memory, especially short-term memory.

6-MSITC is also present in other plants of the Brassicaceae family, but none can compare to wasabi. It is important to note that we are talking about real wasabi, that is, Eutrema japonicum, from the rhizome of which the wasabi condiment is made. Cultivating Eutrema japonicum is a challenging task, and therefore — let’s recall a well-known fact — wasabi served outside of Japan is often a mixture based on regular horseradish and mustard. Nevertheless, it is possible that horseradish and mustard also have a positive effect on the hippocampus. Although it is worth noting that there are ways to improve memory without wasabi — including adequate sleep, physical activity, moderate fasting, and love.