Data published in Frontiers in Nutrition indicated that 12 weeks of supplementation with the cumin essential oil providing a daily cuminaldehyde dose of 25 mg led to an 8% improvement in psychomotor speed and a 10% decrease in reaction time.
“Cognitive decline threatens independence and quality of life during old age,” wrote researchers from S&B FOODS Inc., University of Tsukuba, and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).
“Therefore, early intervention strategies aimed at preserving cognitive function are critical for promoting healthy aging and mitigating age-related cognitive impairment.”
From spice to bioactive
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) has a long history of use as a spice, and research has reported that cuminaldehyde, a key component of cumin essential oil, may also offer protection against neurodegenerative diseases.
Data from animal studies have suggested that cuminaldehyde-rich cumin essential oil may reduce levels of pro-inflammatory markers, like TNF-alpha and IL-6, and the expression of genes linked to BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), a protein active in the brain and central and peripheral nervous systems that plays a key role in neuron development and repair and in protecting against neuro-degeneration.
The new pilot study by the Japan-based researchers is said to be among the first to examine the effects of cumin essential oil on cognitive function in older adults.
Study details
Thirty-eight healthy older Japanese people aged between 65 and 86 were recruited to participate in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the cumin essential oil (CEO) or placebo for 12 weeks. The researchers assessed cognitive performance using the Cognitrax test before and after the supplementation period.
Results showed that the cumin group experienced statistically significant improvements in psychomotor speed and reaction time, compared to placebo.
“Psychomotor slowing is a hallmark of normal aging and a core feature of dementia,” explained the researchers. “Additionally, psychomotor speed is integral to various daily activities, such as reducing fall risk, driving, playing musical instruments, and executing other fine motor tasks. Given its importance in daily life, maintaining psychomotor speed is critical for older adults.
“The observed improvements in psychomotor and motor speed suggest that CEO supplementation may enhance neurocognitive processing efficiency and fine motor function in older adults, highlighting the potential of CEO as a natural intervention for supporting cognitive health and functional independence in aging populations.”
On the other hand, no improvements were measured for memory, processing speed, executive function or attention, said the researchers.
“Overall, this study suggest that the daily intake of CEO, rich in cuminaldehyde, have a beneficial effect on cognitive function in the elderly,” they added. “These findings provide foundational knowledge that could contribute to strategies aimed at extending the healthy life expectancy of older adults.”
The study was funded by S&B Foods and the Japan Science and Technology Agency.
Source: Frontiers in Nutrition, 2026, Volume 13, doi: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1784027. “Daily intake of cuminaldehyde-rich cumin essential oil improves cognitive function in healthy elderly Japanese adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study.” Authors: K. Ito, et al.
