The plant that helps improve learning and strengthen memory

THE cognitive functions They are those skills with which our brain allows us to learn, pay attention, memorize, speak, read, reason. They are daily actions, from the simplest to the most complex, but they can be symptoms of enjoy good mental health.

Over the years the study of medicinal herbs and plants which confer benefits for both physical and cognitive health.

In this sense, studies show a plant with a long history in culinary usein terms of aroma and taste, it has extremely positive properties.

Cinnamon: Benefits for memory and learning

Cinnamon comes from the bark of the cinnamon tree, a evergreen tropical tree Originally from Sri Lanka.

Studies show that cinnamon confers benefits and cognitive properties anti-inflammatory, anticancer and immunomodulator.

​And this also informs Medical News Todayhas potentially neuroprotective effects.

A compound in cinnamon known as cinnamaldehydefor example, it inhibits the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, a key hallmark in Alzheimer’s disease.

Beyond the conclusions, specialists warn of the need for further studies that could help the development of preventive strategies for cognitive decline.

According to the study that appeared in Nutritional neurosciencethe researchers led to meta-analysis of 40 studies on the effects of cinnamon.

And in this they found that cinnamon significantly improves cognitive function, described as learning and memory.

Cinnamon and Cognitive Function

For the analysis, they included two clinical studies, five in vitro studies and 33 in vivo studies, including 17 with rats, 15 with mice and one with the common fruit fly.

They started with cinnamon extract or powder.

In a clinical study at an Indian Medical University, they found that chewing cinnamon gum for 40 days positively affected memory in adolescents. But the other clinical study Trusted source did not report significant changes in memory when taken orally.

Regarding in vivo analyses, the conclusion was that it positively influenced learning and memory. Although one scored that short memory has decreased.

Other conclusion: methanol extract from cinnamon bark can inhibit the production of beta-amyloid.

The next step was to get fully involved with the components of this rig, such as eugenol, cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde.

Therefore, the former save the effects cognitive protectors thanks to its antioxidant properties and its ability to inhibit amyloid plaques.

Also, cinnamaldehyde and trans-cinnamaldehyde have anti-cell death and anti-inflammatory effects that protect against cognitive decline in animal models.

A relevant fact that marks the study is that its results they were not dose dependent.

Limitations on study data according to other clinicians

Molly Rapozzoregistered dietitian nutritionist and senior nutrition and health educator at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, commented on the results of the en en health portal:

“Only two studies were part of this review and one of the two did not show a positive effect. Additionally, there was a lot of variation between studies in terms of duration, dose, and cinnamon components used,” she noted, noting that this could change the results.

For his part, Karen D. Sullivan, board certified neuropsychologist and creator of “I worry about your brain” (I worry about your brain) who also did not participate in the essay, expressed his point of view.

The main limitations are i low quality of many of the studies which even the same authors define as “imprecise”, maintained and expanded: “The data on the inhibition of cinnamon in the pathophysiological mechanisms observed in Alzheimer’s disease are very weak and are limited to very small sample sizes in the laboratory.”

“To be able to definitively state that there is a benefit, we will need a prospective, randomized controlled trial, and this is still pending,” he agreed. Jonathan J. Rasoulidirector of Adult and Complex Spinal Deformity Surgery at Staten Island University Hospital.

Notice with cinnamon in the diet

Specialists warn that cinnamon comes in two types: ceylon and cassia. Both can be healthy additions to the diet, although cassia does contain a toxin that can be harmful when eaten in excess.

“Eating large amounts of cassia cinnamon can damage the liver function, increase the risk of lung, liver and kidney cancerSullivan points out.

Also, eating too much ground cinnamon of any kind at one time “causes cough and shortness of breath because the very fine texture of the spice can get trapped in the vacuoles of the lungs.”

Repozo, however, is across the counter and considers cinnamon a safe herbal medicine and has a long history in various cultures.

“I recommend culinary herbs and spices as part of a healthy anti-inflammatory diet for brain.”, he says, and exemplifies it with “hot or iced tea, whole grains and fruit, as well as for spice blends all over the world.”