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Spice up your memory? a daily blend of turmeric, cinnamon, and more put to the test
NCT ID NCT06889961
First seen Jul 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026
Summary
This pilot study investigates whether taking a daily capsule of mixed spices — turmeric, cinnamon, oregano, black pepper, sage, and thyme — can help preserve memory in adults aged 50 to 80 who are experiencing mild, age-related cognitive decline. Over three months, half the participants will receive the spice blend and half a placebo, with follow-up for another three months to see if any benefits last. The goal is to learn whether a simple dietary addition could support brain health during aging.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a daily capsule of mixed spices (turmeric, cinnamon, oregano, black pepper, sage, thyme)
- What this could lead to
- If the spice mix improves memory, it could point toward a simple, diet-based way to help preserve cognitive function as people age.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study with only 50 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The spices are used at culinary doses, so any effect may be modest.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 50 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2025
- Expected to finish
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Feb 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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50 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Participants are required to have clinical histories consistent with normal aging or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). 2. Age 50 to 80 years. 3. Adequate visual acuity and hearing to allow neuropsychological testing. 4. Screening laboratory tests without significant abnormalities that might interfere with the study. \- Exclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease or any other dementia (e.g. vascular, Lewy body, frontotemporal) 2. Evidence of other neurological or physical illness that can produce cognitive deterioration. Determination of dementia will be based on the clinical evaluation including assessment of functional abilities, and cognitive screening (using the Mini Mental State Examination 3. Evidence of Parkinson's disease as determined by the motor examination (items 18-31) of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale \[38\]. 4. Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure (BP) \> 170 or diastolic BP \> 100). 5. Consume spices regularly \> 5g day 6. Allergy or sensitivity to spices. Subjects will be excluded if there is a prior history of such sensitivity. Since these foods are commonly eaten and allergies are rare, subjects should be aware of this sensitivity prior to entering the study. To determine this, a positive history of spices ingestion without incident will be requested. In addition, any subject with a history of allergy or anaphylaxis of any kind will be excluded. 7. Current diagnosis of any major psychiatric disorder according to the DSM-IV TR criteria (APA, 2000). 8. Current diagnosis or alcoholism or substance addiction. 9. Eating a high fiber/polyphenol diet or taking any medication or dietary supplement which interfere with the absorption of polyphenols. 10. Frequently using prebiotics, probiotics, yogurt, and/or any fiber supplements
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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UCLA Center for Human Nutrition
RECRUITINGLos Angeles, California, 90024, United States
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