Ginkgo biloba myth

Will taking ginkgo biloba help my memory?

Ginkgo biloba, a tree that has been cultivated in China for thousands of years, is widely heralded as a useful memory enhancer, and sells by the boatload. In fact, there is little if any reliable evidence that ginkgo actually improves memory in healthy people. The only trusted study that looked at ginkgo for memory enhancement was published in JAMA and concluded:

“When taken following the manufacturer’s instructions, ginkgo provides no measurable benefit in memory or related cognitive function to adults with healthy cognitive function.”

According to Slate, this is also the official stance of the National Institute of Health (NIH). While ginkgo has shown some promise as a way to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s, this research is inconclusive and there is little reason to believe that it enhances memory. Much more important than any supplements is a balanced diet, which includes the 5 best brain foods.