Imagine your brain is a library, and ginseng is the energetic librarian keeping all the memories organized. A recent study investigated the relationship between ginseng intake and Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-specific cognition in older adults. Specifically, researchers wanted to see how ginseng affected delayed episodic memory, which is one of the earliest cognitive changes associated with AD. They gathered a group of 160 older adults without dementia and examined their dietary habits, cognitive functioning, and apolipoprotein ε4 (APOE4) genotype. The results showed that ginseng intake was linked to better delayed episodic memory, but not non-memory cognition. Interestingly, the impact of ginseng varied based on APOE4 status. In participants who were APOE4-negative, ginseng intake improved delayed episodic memory, while there was no significant effect seen in those who were APOE4-positive. Additionally, the benefits of ginseng were more pronounced in individuals who had taken it for at least five years and started in midlife (before age 65). These findings suggest that ginseng could potentially slow down AD-specific cognitive decline, but its effectiveness may depend on genetic factors. If you’re curious to learn more about this fascinating research, check out the full article!
