Friday, December 31, 2010

Brain Fitness News

A Delicious Defense Against Dementia?
Scientists at Duke University have found more evidence that curcumin—a compound found in curry and other dishes spiced with turmeric—may help prevent the onset of dementia. The research suggests that eating curry a few times a week may prevent the spread of the amyloid brain plaques that are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Learn more about how curcumin affects the brain.  Or, you can click here to download an easy recipe for curry popcorn, among other brain healthy treats.

Sleep Helps Brain Find Solutions
“Sleep on it” is common advice when you’re facing a tough decision, and now researchers have discovered scientific evidence that sleeping really can help people come up with solutions to problems. In a study done at the University of California at San Diego, scientists asked participants to solve test questions before and after taking a nap. People who took a nap that included a phase of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep performed 40% better on the test than participants that napped without REM or didn’t sleep at all. Read why REM sleep may increase problem-solving skills.

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