Rosemary Spice May Support Metabolic Syndrome

Characterized by central obesity, hypertension, and adverse glucose and insulin metabolism, Metabolic Syndrome is a condition associated with increased risk of type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  Zheng Tu, from the McCormick & Accompany Technical Innovation Center (Maryland, USA), and colleagues investigated the effects of different concentrations of Rosemary extract on the metabolism of liver cells. Employing a laboratory animal model, the team found that that glucose consumption increased in a dose-dependent ratio to the concentration of Rosemary extract applied. At the highest dose of Rosemary extract, glucose consumption was reduced by 21%. The researchers conclude that: “Overall, our study suggested that rosemary potentially increases liver glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation by activating [fatty acid and glucose metabolism] pathways.”