Curry may counter cognitive decline Ben Harder A chemical found in turmeric, an ingredient in curry, may prevent cognitive impairment, a study of Singaporeans suggests. The chemical, called curcumin, has anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, past research in animals had suggested (SN: 12/8/01, p. 362: Available to subscribers at http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20011208/note12.asp). To explore its potential effects in people, medical researchers in Singapore analyzed a database of some 1,000 elderly, mentally sound adults living in that ethnically diverse city-state in Southeast Asia. The database, originally collected for diet and health studies, provided a measure of cognitive function for each volunteer and information on,...