STAY FLEXIBLE
Mums know baby’s scent
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India has one of the lowest levels of Alzheimer’s in the world, thought to be in part due to the regular use of turmeric in cooking.
Research into the effect the spice has on the brain has shown that it could potentially help prevent Alzheimer’s.
Medical herbalist Sebastian Pole says: “What we eat makes a difference both to our everyday focus and concentration, and long-term brain health.
“Exercise, good sleep and controlling stress all play a role too. Specific plants and medicinal herbs can also be of great help.”
Here are some of the best herbs and spices with healthboosting properties.
May improve circulation and protect the brain,
Regular exercise is good for both your physical and mental health thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Try the Pukka Turmeric Brainwave capsules from Amazon – a month’s supply is €16. Also known as holy basil, it’s great for clearing brain fog. Tulsi has a calming effect on the nervous system and may also protect your long-term memory and cognitive function. Enhances circulation to the brain, aiding memory, learning and concentration. Like tulsi, rosemary is associated with improving mental clarity and clearing brain fog.
Just 10 minutes of yoga a day will make a difference to brain health.
A 2015 study compared the brains of older yogis and non-yogis. It found physical differences in the brains of the yogis that were “neuroprotective”, and the results were most pronounced in those who did a mix of yoga and meditation.
Research from UCLA showed a three-month course of yoga and meditation was more effective than crosswords when it came to reducing the effects of Alzheimer’s.
Babe in arms
Nine out of 10 new mums can identify their baby by smell less than an hour after giving birth. Research shows most mums find the smell of their bundle of joy irresistible. But mothers like their child’s smell less as they age, according to Professor Ilona Croy, of Dresden University of Technology in Germany.