The Nutritional and Health Benefits of Integrating Rosemary Into Your Diet

Rosemary is an herb commonly used to make various savory dishes. The leaves of this plant can be eaten fresh, dried, or infused into oils. Although many people enjoy rosemary for its flavor and aroma to dishes, this herb also offers various fantastic health benefits.

Rosemary’s medicinal uses have been praised for centuries. However, scientific research has only recently begun to corroborate claims about the herb. In this article, we’ll go over the nutritional composition of rosemary and the benefits of integrating the herb into your diet.

Nutritional Composition of Rosemary

You might use dried ground spice or fresh herbs when cooking with rosemary. The plant's nutrition facts vary because the concentration is different across each version. It’s worth noting that using rosemary in your food is unlikely to make a significant difference in your calorie count or the nutrient makeup of the meal.

A spring of rosemary contains:

  • Protein: 0.1 g
  • Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 0.6 g
  • Fiber: 0.4 g

Rosemary is also rich in phytochemicals responsible for some of its health benefits. Although these phytochemicals aren’t essential for survival like vitamins and minerals, they aid the body in the fight against disease and promote good health.

Health Benefits of Rosemary

We’ll go over six potential health benefits of rosemary

Provides Antioxidants

Rosemary has a rich supply of antioxidants and bioactive chemicals such as carnosol and caffeoyl derivatives. Therefore, herb consumption can help fight oxidative stress and boost the immune system.

Studies have also shown that the antioxidants in rosemary promote healthy circulation and counter inflammation that may lead to pain. Rosemary's antioxidants may also be beneficial to your skin. The potent compounds fight free radical damage that may cause signs of aging.

Lowers Blood Sugar

High blood sugar has been linked to eye, heart, kidney, and nervous system problems. Therefore, people who have diabetes must manage their blood sugar levels.

Studies have found that compounds in rosemary may lower blood sugar. These studies also claimed that rosemary could have potential applications for managing high blood sugar in diabetics.

Furthermore, animal studies on rosemary indicate that carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid in rosemary have insulin-like effects on blood sugar. These compounds can increase glucose absorption into the muscle cells, lowering blood sugar levels.

Improves Mood and Brain Function

Health experts believe consuming rosemary tea compounds may boost your mood and improve your memory. One study found that consuming rosemary daily for a month lowered anxiety levels and improved memory and sleep quality better than a placebo.

Another study on industrial employees showed that workers who drank rosemary tea suffered fewer burnouts at their jobs than those who drank nothing. Simply inhaling the aroma of rosemary may be beneficial. A study found that it improves concentration, performance, and mood.

Protects Vision and Improves Eye Health

Evidence suggests that some compounds in rosemary may benefit your eyes. Animal studies have shown that oral rosemary can help slow the progression of various age-related eye diseases.

Other experimental studies indicate that the rosmarinic acid in rosemary delays the onset of cataracts and reduces the severity of the eye condition. Cataracts are gradual opaqueness of the eye that eventually leads to blindness.

It’s worth noting that most studies on rosemary concerning eye health used concentrated extracts. More studies are required to determine if adding rosemary to dishes has the same effect.

Cancer Prevention

According to a study published in Oncology Reports, rosemary extract slows the spread of human leukemia and breast carcinoma cells.

Another study concluded that the herb may be helpful as an anti-inflammatory agent. Chronic inflammation causes cell mutation and proliferation, which creates an environment favorable to cancer development.

Moreover, rosemary contains carnosic acid, a compound with powerful antioxidant properties. Studies show that carnosic acid can prevent the growth of cancer cells and reduce the risk of tumors in humans.

Antimicrobial Properties

Studies have shown that several compounds in rosemary can help prevent the proliferation of harmful bacteria that cause infections. Various manufacturers use rosemary extract in food preservatives to prevent bacteria from growing.

Also, rosemary smells like a bug repellent, helping you avoid insect bites from ticks and other bugs that spread viruses and bacteria.

Bottom Line

You can purchase rosemary at any grocery or herbal store, but most prefer to grow it at home. Consuming the herb or inhaling its aroma may support brain and eye health. It also helps prevent oxidative damage that can lead to various chronic diseases.

However, it’s important to note that rosemary can affect the activity of some medications, including ACE inhibitors, diuretics, lithium, and anticoagulants. If you take any of these medications, you should avoid rosemary.

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