Unusual herbs and spices could be the best kept secret when it comes to boosting one’s longevity. From its anti-cancer properties, increased brain cognition and reduction risks for diabetes, could a certain herb be your best answer to helping increase your lifespan?
A study, published online in the peer reviewed journal, Rejuvenation Research found the plant Rhodiola rosea increased the lifespan of fruit fly populations.
The study found that flies that ate a diet rich in Rhodiola rosea lived an average of 10 percent longer than those not eating the herb.
“Although this study does not present clinical evidence that Rhodiola can extend human life, the finding that it does extend the lifespan of a model organism, combined with its known health benefits in humans, make this herb a promising candidate for further anti-aging research,” study leader Mahtab Jafari of the University of California, Irvine, said in a statement.
“Our results reveal that Rhodiola is worthy of continued study, and we are now investigating why this herb works to increase lifespan.”
Rhodiola is one of the best herbs when it comes to brain health and longevity benefits. This is because it plays a strong role in boosting mental recovery.
“We need to be able to flip into a system that is performing well, but we also need to be able to flip out of it and be in that rest and digest and neutral state,” says plant-based expert Rachelle Robinett.
She adds that Rhodiola also helps inhibit the release of cortisol, which is supremely helpful because – no shock here – stress can be very detrimental to your brain health in chronic doses.
In a review of 36 animal studies, Rhodiola was found to improve both learning and memory function.
In another study involving nursing students, Rhodiola showed to help reduce both mental and physical fatigue after 42 days.
The students took 364mg daily of either Rhodiola or a placebo at the start of their wakeful period, followed with up to one additional capsule within the following four hours.
An animal study found that just a single dose of Rhodiola increased memory and had an antidepressant effect on mice.
It suggested that Rhodiola could become a good tool to increase cognition and counteract mood disorders in people.
Reduces diabetes risk
People with diabetes commonly use insulin injections or medications that increase insulin sensitivity to better manage their blood sugar levels.
Interestingly, animal research suggests Rhodiola may help improve diabetes.
The salidroside compound in Rhodiola has been shown to help protect against diabetes and diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease) in rats.
