Boosts Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)
Before scientists understood neurons better, they thought neurons could not divide and multiply early in life. But neurons can form new connections, and in particular areas of the brain, it can increase their number. One of the drivers of the growth process is the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a gene that helps make the protein that promotes the neurons’ life span.
This particular protein helps in learning and memory. It is found in the brain’s areas that control body weight, drinking, and eating. Many common disorders of the brain are linked to the lower levels of BDNF protein, including Alzheimer’s disease and depression. In clinical studies with lab animals, researchers found that turmeric could increase the levels of BDNF in the brain.
Introducing turmeric through food has the potential to reverse or delay age-related decreases in the function of the brain. Moreover, studies show that turmeric might help improve attention and memory. An increased BDNF protein level enhances new neurons’ growth, preventing the brain’s degenerative processes. Moreover, the increase in the BDNF protein helps improve your mood, as it helps produce dopamine, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters that enhance the mood.
