Live-longer secrets from women around the world

India: add some spice

The rates of Alzheimer's disease are lower among elderly people in India than in most western countries. Could it be to do with curry spices? Curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric, is already used in Indian medicine for problems ranging from rheumatism to abdominal pain, and now scientists at the University of California think it could help protect against Alzheimer's or even slow down its progression. In tests they found turmeric halved the number of amyloid plaques - knots in the brain that are characteristic of Alzheimer's.

Curcumin also blocks a protein that helps cancer develop - trials at the University of Texas found combining it with Taxol, the chemotherapy drug, helped stop the spread of breast cancer. Research shows ginger can relieve digestive problems, while fenugreek and cinnamon are good for diabetes.

Action point Make your own curry, as most takeaways are high in salt and saturated fat. As curry twice a day isn't an option for most of us, though, you could take these spices as supplements.

Get cooking with Allaboutyou's delicious curry recipes...