I love oregano. I put it on everything. Of course I put it on pizza and pasta, but I also put it on chicken, fish, potatoes, salad and even rice. My husband thinks I’m crazy because I am always looking for the oregano. I love the taste of it but there are also some health benefits that most people don’t know about.
Oregano has been found to have antibacterial properties. Oregano contains two oils, thymol and carvacrol that are thought to inhibit the growth of bacteria. They have even been found to inhibit bacteria that cause food borne illness. Oregano has also been found to be an effective treatment for giardia, which is a bacterial disease that can cause serious illness to those who have it.
Oregano is full of antioxidants. Rosmarinic acid and thymol are two very strong antioxidants found in oregano. Antioxidants help prevent cell damage from free radicals. Oregano has more antioxidants per serving than an apple or blackberries. On a per gram fresh weight basis, oregano has demonstrated 42 times more antioxidant activity than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges and 4 times more than blueberries*.
Oregano is also a good source of fiber. Fiber can bind to toxins in the colon and help remove them from the body. Removing these toxins can help prevent diseases such as colon cancer. High fiber diets have also been found to help lower cholesterol in some people.
Oregano is full of other nutrients as well. It is a very good source of vitamin K. It also contains good amounts of iron, manganese, vitamin A, calcium, vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids. That’s a lot of nutrients for such a small herb.
Dried oregano will have a more potent taste than fresh oregano. Use a smaller amount if you are using dried oregano. If you are using oregano oil, check that the carvacrol content is at least 70%. That way you know that you are getting all of the health benefits. Oregano oil may have many other health benefits not discussed here. Research is being done on this oil. Use oregano oil in amounts recommended on the packaging. If you are pregnant, limit your use of oregano oil because it can decrease iron absorption.
Overall, oregano is a great tasting herb with wonderful health benefits. If you haven’t been using it, grab some and sprinkle it on your dinner tonight.
- Jennifer
References
* The World’s Healthiest Foods
Labels: Antioxidants, healthy eating, healthy tips, Jennifer
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Great info.. did not know all of that! Thx!