Sushi lovers may now have another reason to gobble up more of their favorite Japanese dishes.
A new study from Tohoku University in Sendai, Miyagi, Japan, has indicated that an unlikely spicy green sushi topping can improve your short and long-term memory.
The zesty sauce – Wasabi – is a fresh green paste included in many store-bought and in-restaurant sushi dishes.
And, according to the study published on October 30, the topping provides anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties – as well as helping improve your memory.
Sushi is served with a popular topping called wasabi, which according to research could improve ones short-term and long-term health
The research was published on October 30 and conducted by Rui Nouchi, Natasha Y.S. Kawata, Toshiki Saito, Haruka Nouchi, and Ryuta Kawashima.
Rui Nouchi is an associate professor at Tohoku University’s Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer in Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
Associate professor Rui Nouchi of Tohoku University’s Institute of Development, Aging, and Cancer believes the memory improvement of adults who participated in the study was ‘really substantial.’
The other researchers who received credit for the finalized study were Natasha Y.S. Kawata, Toshiki Saito, Haruka Nouchi, and Ryuta Kawashima.
Each researcher observed 72 healthy adults aged over 60. Some were given a placebo and others a supplement with 6-MSITC in it.
The 6-MSITIC bioactive compound found in wasabi includes anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients – that may also contribute to a better memory.
‘These functions are important for increasing cognitive functions in older adults,’ the study authors wrote.
The study conducted by Nouchi and the other researchers included 72 adult participants that were in good health
The study published in the scientific journal Nutrient measured the executive function, episodic memory, working memory, and attention, and processing speed before and after the experiment.
The whole experiment lasted for 12 weeks.
The 6-MSITC supplement consumed by the participants improved their episodic memories, which involved learning, storing, and retrieving information about personal experiences.
The bioactive compound increased the participant’s episode memories by an incredible 18 percent – and they scored 14 percent higher than participants who were given the placebo instead.
The 100 mg wasabi extract supplement given to participants was fresh from the roots of the Wasabia japonica plant in Japan.
All of the researchers believe that the extract lowered the oxidants and inflammation levels in the hippocampus, which plays a major role in learning and memory.
The extract may have been what benefited the participants due to the ingredients helping the brain region that plays a role in learning and memory
Despite wasabi being the sushi topping that will boost one’s memory, foodies who aren’t fans of spicy sauces can enjoy other treats that may work just as well.
According to the New York Post, other foods that can boost your memory include red wine, tea, dark chocolate, banes, cherries, and blackberries.
The foods and drinks mentioned above contain flavanols – a compound linked to better short-term memory that is found in cocoa, grapes, and teas.
Researchers found flavanols contribute to short term memories after they conducted a study in May with over 3,500 participants.
They observed the memories of all participants who consumed a placebo or 500 mg flavanol supplement daily for three long years.
The research subjects who hardly ate any foods with flavanols before the experiment had an incredible memory improvement within a year.
The flavanol study was led by Scott Small MD, Professor of Neurology at Columbia University published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences via the University of Reading and is not connected to the research in Japan.
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