Rosemary Benefits for Diabetes

Rosemary is an herb native to the Mediterranean region. It has long been used in folk medicine to treat menstrual cramps, mental decline, epilepsy, pain relief, and infertility. It has also been used to treat hair loss, indigestion, dermatitis, anxiety, cognitive improvement, constipation, joint and muscle pain, and improved circulation (1). Research has been looking at whether rosemary has protective benefits for diabetes, obesity, neurological deficits, and inflammation.

What Makes Rosemary Special?

Rosemary contains rosmarinic and carnosic acids, which are very powerful polyphenols (micronutrients). These specific molecules have been found to act like insulin to lower overall glucose levels. Rosmarinic and carnosic acids both also help protect against developing hyperlipidemia in animals with type 2 diabetes (2).

Research on Rosemary Benefits for Diabetes

One study tested the effects of rosemary on people with diabetes. Participants with diabetes drank 2 grams of rosemary mixed with one liter of water per day of for 30 days (3). At the end of the trial, the participant’s A1C levels were significantly lower (3).

Many other studies have shown that rosemary can improve diabetes in multiple ways. Animal studies show that rosemary can help

• Increase muscle uptake of sugar
• Reduce glucose absorption in the intestines, and
• Lower amylase activity. (Amylase is the enzyme that breaks down carbs. If we’re not breaking down carbs as quickly, we don’t see as much of a blood sugar spike after meals.)

How Much Rosemary Should I Eat?

The only problem is that no specific amount of rosemary is recommended for people with diabetes or any other condition. So, how much should you take? We recommend including rosemary as often as possible in your meals.

Enjoy rosemary in marinades, meat rubs, soups, sauces, salad dressings, or roasted vegetables. Try this roasted sweet potato recipe to incorporate some rosemary this week!

References:

1. Tyagi A. Rosemary: An overview of potential health benefits. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2017:1263-1274. doi:10.20959/wjpr20175-8488
2. Naimi, M., Vlavcheski, F., Shamshoum, H., & Tsiani, E. (2017). Rosemary Extract as a Potential Anti-Hyperglycemic Agent: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives. Nutrients, 9(9), 968. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9090968
3. Quirarte-Báez SM, Zamora-Perez AL, Reyes-Estrada CA, et al. A shortened treatment with Rosemary Tea (rosmarinus officinalis) instead of powder decreases insulin resistance and serum glucose in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2D). Journal of Population Therapeutics & Clinical Pharmacology. 2019;26(4). doi:10.15586/jptcp.v26i4.634