By Yaseen Jangikhan
A study from Tohoku University in Japan found that Wasabi, commonly eaten with sushi, may improve short and long term memory. Rui Nouchi, the study’s chief researcher and an associate professor at the school’s Institute of Development, Aging, and Cancer, told CBS News that the findings, despite being based on a small sample of healthy people, exceeded their expectations.
Half of the 72 individuals, aged 60 to 80, were given 100 milligrams of wasabi extract before bedtime, while the other half were given a placebo According to the study, after 12 weeks, the group that took the wasabi extract showed “a significant improvement in working and mental performances,” implying stronger memory in both short-term and long-term aspects. Language skills, focus, and basic tasks were used to assess this. However, there was no improvement in other areas such as concentration or processing speed.
The only difficulty with this discovery is that real wasabi is extremely rare in the United States; instead, 95% of the wasabi items we buy in stores or restaurants are mixtures of horseradish, Chinese mustard, and food coloring. This is due to the plant’s difficulty in cultivation and the fact that it can take up to three years to develop. The Tohoku University researchers hope to test wasabi on various age groups and see whether it can delay cognitive decline in dementia patients. If you want to get your hands on some real Wasabi just know you will have to be patient.
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