The Memory-Boosting Power of Wasabi: What You Need to Know

A study conducted in Japan by researchers at Tohoku University found that consuming wasabi, the spicy green condiment often served with sushi, can improve both short- and long-term memory. The study involved 72 healthy subjects aged 60 to 80, with half of them taking 100 milligrams of wasabi extract at bedtime and the rest receiving a placebo. After three months, the group that received the wasabi treatment showed significant improvements in working memory and episodic memory compared to the placebo group. The researchers believe that the active component in wasabi, 6-MSITC, reduces inflammation and oxidant levels in the brain's memory center, the hippocampus, and enhances neural plasticity. Further research is planned to explore the effects of wasabi on other age groups and cognitive decline in dementia patients. However, it's worth noting that the wasabi commonly served in sushi bars is often an impostor made of ordinary white horseradish dyed green, and genuine wasabi is difficult to cultivate and expensive.