Bay leaves / Laurus nobilisleaves have centuriesold reputation as a potent medicinal herb. Bay leaves are
hypoglycemic in nature and improve the glucose and lipid metabolism, antioxidant status, and capillary
function. Bay leaves contain a compound called linalool, which prevent free radicals damage and radical chain
reaction.
Modern scientific research has confirmed numerous health effects of bay leaves. Bay leaves contain:
1. Enzymes that breakdown proteins and promote healthy digestion
2. Phytonutrients that help improve heart function
3. Compounds trusted to aid in cancer prevention
4. The antioxidants present in bay leaves help with the absorption of insulin
5. Diabetes is a risk factor for heart disease, it’s conspicuously promising that bay leaves not only improve insulin functions but also help to maintain healthy heart
Research
A research study titled ‘Bay Leaves Improve Glucose and Lipid Profile of People with Type 2 Diabetes’ was
published in December 27, 2008 in the journal ‘Plant Foods for Human Nutrition’.
‘Forty people with type 2 diabetes were divided into 4 groups & given capsules containing 1, 2, or 3 g of
ground bay leaves per day for 30 days or a placebo followed by a 10 day washout period. All three levels of
bay leaves reduced serum glucose with significant decreases ranging from 21 to 26% after 30 d. Total
cholesterol decreased 20 to 24% after 30 d, with larger decreases in LDL cholesterol of 32 to 40%. HDL
cholesterol increased 29 and 20% in the groups receiving 1 and 2g of bay leaves, respectively.
Triglycerides also decreased 34 and 25% in groups consuming 1 and 2 g of bay leaves, respectively, after
30 d. There were no significant changes in the placebo group. In summary, this study demonstrates that
consumption of bay leaves, 1 to 3 g/d for 30 days, decreases risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular
diseases and suggests that bay leaves may be beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes’.
Another research that was published in the ‘Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition’ in 2009 also
proved that bay leaves are effective in reducing blood glucose and cholesterol levels. The patients were given
1 to 3 grams of bay leaf powder every day.
Source of the research study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19177188
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