Ultimate brain food - Increase memory, reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and protect against multiple sclerosis with ginger

Tuesday, September 17, 2013 by: Carolanne Wright
Tags: ginger, mental health, brain food

(NaturalNews) Ginger root is a well-recognized health marvel, mending everything from inflammation to cancer to diabetes. But did you know that it can also improve brain function? In our demanding world, acute cognitive ability is essential. Fortunately, ginger is an outstanding ally in the quest for enhanced memory and clarity. Moreover, it plays a substantial role in guarding against brain oxidative stress and neurological disease.

Wonder remedy

As a functional food, ginger is hard to beat. Used throughout the world as a delicious culinary ingredient, it also has a long track record of healing benefits. Ginger has been shown to:

- Reduce pain

- Prevent diabetes

- Defeat cancer

- Heal bacterial and fungal infections

- Tame inflammation

- Soothe nausea

- Lessen the effect of toxic chemicals

- Treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

- Protect against radiation

- Improve cardiovascular health

- Defend against the risk of stroke

- Curb migraine headaches

And there's more. Current research has shown ginger can help make you smarter and protect against neurological afflictions too.

Brain boosting properties

Research published in Evidence Based Complementary Medicine found that the consumption of ginger by middle-aged women improved cognitive ability. Sixty healthy participants were randomly given either a placebo or standardized ginger extract (400 and 800 mg once per day) for two months. The volunteers were then evaluated at the one and two month mark for memory and cognitive function. Those who received the extract demonstrated a considerable increase in memory, while brain oxidative stress was reduced.

Another study discovered ginger root helped minimize monosodium glutamate (MSG) neurotoxicity. After male albino rats were given a daily dose (4 mg/per kilogram) of pure MSG for thirty days, a significant decrease in the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine along with the brain neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin was observed. However, when an injection of ginger root extract (100 mg/per kilogram) was given for the same length of time, the hormones and neurotransmitters significantly increased. Researchers then found that when both were administered simultaneously, the extract mitigated the damaging effects of MSG - leading the team to conclude that ginger acts as a potent protective agent.

As an excitotoxin, MSG is linked with Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, autism and attention deficit disorder.

Whether contending with age-related cognitive decline or toxic food additives, ginger is an exceptional protective root. Including it in your daily diet is a powerful health affirming habit. Use it as a flavorful spice in cooking, freshly brewed as a tea or in extract form to help preserve brain and nerve health now and in the future.

Sources:

http://science.naturalnews.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

http://gaia-health.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

http://www.botanicchoice.com

http://www.whfoods.com

http://www.cbn.com

About the author:
Carolanne believes if we want to see change in the world, we need to be the change. As a nutritionist, wellness coach and natural foods chef, she has encouraged others to embrace a healthy lifestyle of green living for over 13 years. Through her website www.Thrive-Living.net she looks forward to connecting with other like-minded people who share a similar vision.

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