Your Pumpkin Spice Upgrade: The Brain Health Benefits of Fall Flavors

Did you know that your spice rack could offer brain-protective benefits?

In this episode of The Nourished Brain Podcast, I explore the science behind cozy fall spices cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and cardamom — and how they could boost overall brain health.

You’ll also hear practical ways to use them in your daily routine...just in case you're not already getting enough of that pumpkin spice blend in!

🎧 Tune in and learn how to turn your favorite fall flavors into brain-supportive allies.

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References

• Kesse-Guyot, E., et al. (2020). Flavonoid intake and cognitive decline: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 12(2), 556. PubMed

• Shukla, R., et al. (2022). Neuroprotective potential of Indian kitchen spices: From kitchen to clinic. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 1010405. PubMed

• Ranjbar, E., et al. (2023). Cinnamon supplementation improves cognitive function in healthy adults. Nutritional Neuroscience. PubMed

• Vallianou, N., et al. (2019). Cinnamon and its effect on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Nutrients, 11(8), 1857. PubMed

• Lopresti, A. L., et al. (2014). Curcumin for the treatment of major depression: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Affect Disord, 167, 368–375. PubMed

• Cox, K. H. M., et al. (2015). Curcumin supplementation improves cognitive function: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, 23(12), 1077–1085. PubMed

• Rahmani, S., et al. (2014). Effects of ginger on cognitive function in middle-aged healthy women. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2014, 806307. PubMed

• Paul, S., et al. (2020). 1,8-cineole-rich extract of small cardamom seeds prevents Alzheimer’s-like pathology. J Food Biochem, 44(11): e13455. PubMed
• Gomaa, M. S., et al. (2019). Cardamom alleviates Alzheimer’s disease-like changes in rats via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Biomed Pharmacother, 111, 1086–1094. PubMed

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