A Well-Seasoned Mind
New scientific research shows these spices are good for your brain
Saffron
Got a case of the blues? Before popping an anti-depressant, try eating more of this pungent herb. A 2007 University of Tehran study discovered that a twice-daily dose of saffron works as well as Prozac in treating mild to moderate depression.
Healthy way to dish it up:
Add 1/2 teaspoon saffron to the water while cooking 2 cups rice.
Next: Stave off migraines. >>>
Ginger
A recent study found that more than 80 percent of migraine-prone patients with mild headaches who were treated with a combination of ginger and the herb feverfew staved off migraines. After two hours, 48 percent were pain free; for another 34 percent, the pain stayed mild. "If a headache doesn't go to full-blown migraine, that's success," says Roger Cady, M.D., study author and director of the Headache Care Center in Springfield, Missouri.
Healthy way to dish it up:
Stir 3 teaspoons grated ginger into 1 cup boiling water; steep for 10 minutes, strain, and drink.
Garlic
Long touted for its heart-healthy benefits, garlic may also fight brain cancer. A 2007 study in the journal Cancer noted that garlic compounds eliminated brain-cancer cells, leading some experts to predict that garlic-based treatments for brain cancer aren't far behind.
Healthy way to dish it up:
Mix 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 to 2 cloves fresh garlic with tomatoes and basil for a cancer-fighting marinara.
Cinnamon
If you want to react faster during your next tennis game, chew cinnamon gum. Doing so, a recent study found, speeds the rate at which your brain processes visual cues. One reason the gum may help: cinnamon regulates blood-sugar levels, and this helps you stay focused.
Healthy way to dish it up:
Sprinkle 1 teaspoon cinnamon on oatmeal for a brain-healthy breakfast.
These 10 recipes include brain-boosting spices that can improve memory, fend off migraines and help you stay focused.
A blended drink for fall or winter
A creamy dessert with simple flavors
Fresh ingredients make this dish delicious
Spicy vegetables make a punchy side dish
A new take on this summer veggie
An inexpensive side dish with lots of flavor
A light but robust main course
A colorful pasta with rich, smoky flavors
An ideal winter meal
An easy-to-make, rustic dish