The Telegraphreports that researchers have found that eating curry containing turmeric at least twice a week could reduce a prevent Alzheimer's disease. Research is underway to see if it could help current Alzheimer's patients and whether a type of "curry pill" may one day be possible. The article also says that eating curcumin could be beneficial.
Professor Doraiswamy said: "There is very solid evidence that curcumin binds to plaques, and basic research on animals engineered to produce human amyloid plaques has shown benefits. Turmeric has been studied not just in Alzheimer's research but for a variety of conditions, such as cancer and arthritis. Turmeric is often referred to as the spice of life in ancient Indian medical lore."
Several studies have found curcumin, an antioxidant, is beneficial in Alzheimer's disease and a trial is now under way in America to test the theory in humans with the disease.
Prof Doraiswamy said: "Studies seem to show that you need only consume what is part of the normal diet – but the research studies are testing higher doses to see if they can maximise the effect. It would be equivalent of going on a curry spree for a week.
"Don't expect an occasional curry to counterbalance a poor lifestyle. However, if you have a good diet and take plenty of exercise, eating curry regularly could help prevent dementia."
Martha Stewart's Wholeliving.com website lists turmeric as a power food. Southeastern Asian cultures have different types of curries that use a variety of spices. In the West curry recipes tend to "contain more turmeric than anything else" according to an entry at FoodReference.com. Alton Brown has a vegatable curry recipe here.
Photo: Curry dishes from the Indian restaurant in Blue Waters, Mumbai by kspoddar
The Telegraph 
