What is turmeric?
You probably know turmeric as the main spice in curry, which gives it the bright yellow color. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), turmeric is a ginger-related plant grown in Asia and Central America. Not only is it a commonly used spice in cooking, but it is also used as a dietary supplement to treat a number of health problems, including inflammation and skin problems.
Turmeric and brain function
Most research agrees that turmeric, specifically curcumin, has anti-inflammatory properties and that its ability to fight inflammation makes it a possible treatment for various forms of dementia. Animal studies have revealed that the herb reduces inflammation in the brain and also slows the development of amyloid plaques. Plaques form when fragments of a protein called beta-amyloid cluster and accumulate between brain cells. Beta-amyloid impairs brain function by destroying the structures by which nerve cells transmit signals to each other. Based on such research, researchers believe that the anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric can protect the brain from memory-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. For example, a March 2018 study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that respondents between the ages of 51 and 84 found that those who took 90 milligrams of turmeric twice a day for 8 months had marked improvements in memory compared with those who who were taking placebo.
According to the Mary S. Eastern Alzheimer's Translation Research Center at the University of California, Los Angeles, the low incidence of Alzheimer's disease in India may be related to the high intake of turmeric in Asia. "Since turmeric contains on average 5% to 10% curcumin, the daily intake of curcumin ... is expected to be about 125 milligrams (mg) in India."
Recommended daily intake
The Joint Committee of Nutrition Experts of the United Nations and the World Health Organization for Food Additives recommends a daily intake of curcumin at 0-3 mg / kg body weight.
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