When I was at school we learned how the Dutch East India Company which operated during the 17th and 18th century aggressively sort to dominate the spice trade, eliminating all competitors, so that they could maintain sole dominion over these eagerly desired exotic substances. Because they were so highly valued as a food additive to make culinary fare more flavoursome and deliciously enticing, used at celebratory banquets to reflect the high status and wealth of rich Europeans and as enhancements for compounded traditional medicines, their mark-up was astronomical.
Being able to out- manoeuvre their English and Portuguese rivals allowed the Dutch to amass huge wealth from this endeavour, which financed military operations and significant expansion of their empire-sound familiar.
What they didn’t realise back then was they might have been inadvertently enhancing their brain power and prolonging their lives by imbibing these rich nutrients which made their foods delectable while super-charging their higher powers.
Go to any market in Asia or the Middle east and you will find a complex array of spices with alluring aromas seductively inviting you to purchase as many as you can store in your shopping basket.
Turmeric contains the antioxidant curcumin which gives it anti-inflammatory properties and may also help eliminate proteins that are harmful to the brain, making it one of the premier spices for boosting brain health. When added to creamy curries it dissolves in fat increasing its bioavailability. Black pepper similarly boosts the absorption of turmeric.
Cinnamon likewise has antioxidant capabilities, neutralising harmful proteins, while helping to control blood sugar levels, all brain-protective functions.
Ginger is another antioxidant, anti-inflammatory spice that limits the accumulation of brain ageing chemicals.
No wonder the Dutch East India Company ruled the world for such an extended period. Lets hope this knowledge does not get into the hands of equally malevolent actors who might seek to weaponise the spice trade with the aim of securing world domination.
