How Smelling Coffee and Cooking Could Protect Your Memory

The sense of smell plays a far greater role in brain health than many realise. Recent studies show its decline is linked to over 139 neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and dementia. Now, new research suggests that simple activities—like cooking classes or even smelling coffee—could help protect memory by keeping the olfactory system active. For years, smell retraining therapy (SRT) has been used to help patients with olfactory dysfunction. But a recent finding indicates that frequent cooking classes might work even better. These hands-on sessions expose people to a wider range of scents, potentially reviving their sense of smell more effectively than standard SRT.

The connection between smell and memory runs deep. The olfactory system sends signals directly to the hippocampus, the brain’s memory centre. A 2016 study revealed that master sommeliers—who constantly train their sense of smell—develop thicker memory regions in their brains. This extra thickness may offer some protection against diseases like Alzheimer’s. The stakes are high, especially after COVID-19. Around 24% of patients who lost their smell due to the virus only partially recovered it. Another 3% never regained it at all. With more than half of people in a Global Brain Health Institute survey fearing memory loss, the need for prevention is clear. Everyday habits could make a difference. Simply taking time to smell perfume, fresh herbs, or even a morning coffee might stimulate the olfactory system. Over time, these small actions could help strengthen memory and slow cognitive decline.

The evidence points to a simple but powerful idea: keeping the sense of smell active may help safeguard memory. Whether through structured training, cooking, or mindful sniffing of daily scents, small efforts could have lasting benefits. For those at risk of neurodegenerative diseases, these habits might offer a practical way to support brain health.