A recent study revealed the potential health benefits of carnosic acid found in rosemary extract. According to the study, carnosic acid has several health benefits, including improving brain function, reducing inflammation, and even protecting against some forms of cancer.
The study, published in the journal Food Chemistry, examined the effects of carnosic acid on several key biological processes. Researchers have found that carnosic acid has strong antioxidant properties that help protect the body from free radicals, which can cause cell damage and increase disease risk.
In addition to its antioxidant properties, carnosic acid also has anti-inflammatory properties. This means it may help treat or prevent chronic inflammation, a common underlying cause of many chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Perhaps most excitingly, carnosic acid has also been shown to have neuroprotective properties. That means it may help prevent or treat conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other forms of cognitive decline.
Despite these promising findings, researchers still know little about the potential health benefits of carnosic acid. For example, it’s unclear how much carnosic acid is needed to achieve these effects, or whether the benefits are the same for everyone.
However, one thing is clear: rosemary extract is one of the best sources of this powerful antioxidant. You may reap some of the benefits of carnosic acid by incorporating rosemary into your diet as a supplement or by using fresh or dried rosemary in your cooking.
Besides rosemary, there are other foods rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. These include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and fatty fish like salmon and tuna.
If you’re interested in adding more antioxidant-rich foods to your diet, it’s important to choose high-quality sources that are fresh and minimally processed. That means reading labels carefully and choosing whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible.
By taking steps to increase your intake of rosemary and other antioxidant-rich foods, you can improve your overall health and reduce your risk of chronic disease. While much remains to be learned about the health benefits of carnosic acid and other antioxidants, early research suggests these compounds may be important tools in the fight against disease.