This obscure food improves memory, according to a new study

• Many older adults struggle with memory loss and cognitive decline 
• A new study shows sesame oil cake extract may improve memory
• Other natural whole foods like walnuts can also improve cognitive function

Many older adults struggle with memory loss and cognitive decline. While there are many causes for these issues, most are related to age.

A new South Korean study suggests sesame oil cake extract may be a food that can drastically improve memory. 

What is sesame oil cake extract?

Sesame oil cake extract is obtained by roasting sesame seeds and then pressing them. This process removes the oil from the sesame seeds. The oil cakes, which are flattened sesame seed husks, are left as a by-product. 

One of the most beneficial elements in sesame seeds is phenolic lignans, which exhibit antioxidant properties. They can help lower cholesterol and clean your liver. In addition, previous studies have used sesame oil cake extracts on mice and discovered the cakes had helped prevent cognitive decline. 

Studying the effects of sesame oil cakes on humans

Because previous studies only involved animals, this newest study, published in the journal Polymers in July 2021, ought to discover if similar results would be seen in humans. 

For this test,  70 participants with an average age of 69.9 years, were broken into two groups, one of which did not receive any sesame oil cake extract, while the other consumed ate 1.5 grams of sesame oil cake extract three times a day. 

After 12 weeks, researchers discovered that those who consumed the sesame oil cakes improved their memory, unlike those in the control group.

In addition, there were no adverse reactions, and participants who were given the extract recorded significant decreases in their amyloid-beta levels, a biomarker associated with  Alzheimer’s disease.

Other studies show how to improve memory in mice

Other studies have shown the potential benefits sesame seeds have on diseases such as Parkinson’s when given to mice. For example, in a research article published in Heliyon,   Osaka City University food and human sciences professor Akiko Kojima-Yuasa found that  the sesame seed byproduct sesaminol showed promise in preventing Parkinson’s.

Another study published in the journal Nutrients found that sesame lignans suppressed cognitive decline associated with age in mice.