Have you ever heard of trigonelline? This molecule (an alkaloid, more precisely) is found in several plants such as coffee, radish and fenugreek.
Through a new study, researchers from the University of Tsukuba (Japan) carried out an experiment with mice: they discovered that by giving them trigonelline every day for 1 month, the cognitive abilities of the rodents improved by significantly.
Trigonelline in particular seems to have a positive impact on spatial memory and learning abilities, by acting directly on the hippocampus, a specific area of the brain. Japanese scientists therefore recommend regularly consuming plants concentrated in trigonelline to limit brain aging.
Fenugreek seeds, as an infusion or to sprinkle like spices
Fenugreek seeds contain trigonelline. This small leguminous plant (which is part of traditional Indian and Egyptian pharmacopoeias) has several interesting health properties: it increases the appetite, regulates cholesterol levels, helps reduce blood sugar, relieves intestinal and ENT inflammation, etc.
It is possible to buy fenugreek seeds in pharmacies and herbalists. These can be consumed as an infusion (at a rate of approximately 2 g of seeds for a 250 mL cup, with a maximum of 3 cups per day), but also be sprinkled like spices over salads, soups or of simmered dishes (they must then be ground beforehand).
Warning: if you are diabetic, if you suffer from a chronic illness, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, medical advice is required before adding fenugreek seeds to your diet…
Source :GeroScience
