Cooking with oregano and rosemary may help ward off diabetes, according to new research that has found the popular herbs are packed with healthful compounds that work in the same way as prescription anti-diabetic medication.
The finding, published in the American Chemical Society's Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, is based on laboratory studies of four different herbs — including greenhouse-grown and dried commercial versions — for their ability to interfere with a diabetes-related enzyme, now targeted by prescription drugs that aim to control the disease.
The researchers found that greenhouse herbs contained more polyphenols and flavonoids compared to the equivalent commercial herbs, but both types block the critical diabetes enzyme.
Commercial extracts of Greek oregano, Mexican oregano, and rosemary worked best, but the researchers said more studies are needed to understand the role of these compounds in reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes before recommending them as a natural alternative treatment for the metabolic disorder.
Lead researcher Elvira Gonzalez de Mejia noted Type 2 diabetes affects more than 8 percent of Americans and costs the country $175 billion. Some people can manage the disease with exercise and changes to their diet, but others take medication.
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