Wasabi, the spicy ground rhizome that elevates sushi from a meal to an event, has been shown in a recent Japanese study to provide a “really substantial” boost to both short- and long-term memory.

A recent study by a Tohoku University professor demonstrates that wasabi is now much better! Their research demonstrates quantifiable improvements in memory retention.

Speaking from his workplace in northeast Japan, he stated, “We knew from earlier animal studies that wasabi conferred health benefits.” But the significant shift was what truly caught us off guard. The improvement was quite noticeable.”

According to Nouchi, the primary active ingredient in Japanese wasabi is a biochemical known as 6-MSITC, which is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that is only found in tiny amounts in other parts of the plant kingdom. Seventy-two healthy participants, ages 60 to 80, participated in the double-blind, randomized investigation. Before going to bed, half of them took 100 milligrams of wasabi extract, while the other half received a placebo.

Following three months, standardized tests measuring language proficiency, focus, and the capacity to do basic tasks revealed “significant” improvements in working (short-term) memory and longer-lasting episodic memory for the treated group. Other domains of cognition, including executive function, processing speed, and inhibitory control (the capacity to maintain attention), showed no change.

According to Nouchi, the wasabi treatment group’s subjects’ episodic memory scores increased by an average of 18%, and they performed on average 14% better than the placebo group overall.