Rosemary and other spices studied for Alzheimer's disease
What it found
Spices including rosemary contain compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions that have been linked to neuroprotection.
In people, the amounts taken are not uniform and there is no agreement on whether long-term use is safe and effective.
What they found
Studies in people
Amounts taken by people
To date, the amounts of spice taken in by humans are not uniform.
Studies in people and animals
Spices and their compounds
Saffron, rosemary, cinnamon, turmeric and ginger contain bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions that have been linked to neuroprotection.
How they may act
These spices have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that act by inhibiting the clumping of acetylcholinesterase and amyloid in Alzheimer's disease.
Effects on neuroprotection
The compiled evidence covers properties considered neuroprotective, including no effects or negative effects of these spices and their bioactive compounds.
Other findings
No agreement on use
There is no consensus on the recommended use of these spices, and no agreement that long-term consumption guarantees safety and effectiveness for neuroprotection.
What the authors conclude
“To date, the amounts of spice ingestion in humans are not uniform, and there is no consensus on its indication and chronic consumption guarantees safety and efficacy in neuroprotection.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say clinical evidence on this topic is necessary for these spices to become a formal adjuvant treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
- They note that recommendations and prescriptions of these spices are still marked by questioning and a lack of robust evidence about their effects on neurodegeneration.
How it was done
Alzheimer's disease is the most common dementia in the elderly and causes disability and physical, psychological, social and economic harm. Current drug treatment for Alzheimer's is still not very effective, so spices have been studied as possible helpful sources.
The authors brought together scientific evidence from clinical trials in adults and the elderly, from animal studies, and from lab tests on five spices and their bioactive compounds.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- The amounts of spice taken in by people varied between studies, so no single dose can be pointed to.
- There is no agreement on whether long-term use of these spices is safe and effective for neuroprotection.
- The evidence comes from a mix of people, animals and lab tests, so it cannot show what happens in people over time.
Who paid
- Funding
- Funded by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) (from the PubMed record).
- Authors work at
- Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Brazil
The paper
- Title
- Effects of Spices (Saffron, Rosemary, Cinnamon, Turmeric and Ginger) in Alzheimer's Disease
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Seibel R, Schneider RH, Gottlieb MGV (2021). Effects of Spices (Saffron, Rosemary, Cinnamon, Turmeric and Ginger) in Alzheimer's Disease. Current Alzheimer research. doi:10.2174/1567205018666210716122034PubMed 34279199DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error