5 surprising health benefits of Oregano

You like it on your pizza, you love to mix it in your pasta; oregano is one thing you most likely reach out for whenever you order an Italian dish.

Oregano has a strong flavour and brings warmth to your food, along with a hint of subtle sweetness. You can eat it fresh, dried or in the form of oil. This yummy herb adds that extra life to your food.

Besides being a culinary herb used in many dishes, our beloved oregano also holds many important and effective medicinal properties. Yes, you heard that right!

The impressive health benefits of oregano include its ability to strengthen the immune system and bones. It may also help in improving digestion and heart health.

Here are some health benefits of adding oregano to your daily diet:

Improves digestion
Oregano is power-packed with fibre. Eating it regularly may boost our digestive system. We all know that fibre is an essential element of a healthy digestive system; it adds bulk to our stool and stimulates peristaltic motion, which moves food through the digestive tract and excretes it efficiently. Fibre is a very important part of our daily diet and we should include both types in our diet as it is very important to maintain a healthy balance. Soluble fibres are known to keep the sugar level under control, while insoluble fibres help maintain the smooth functioning of the gastric system. An average adult should take about 15 grams of fibre every day.”

Improves bone health
As we age, our bone health also declines; therefore, it is important to load up on foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. Oregano is rich in calcium, iron and manganese that are some of the most crucial minerals for bone health. Calcium supports the bone structure, while vitamin D works towards improving calcium absorption and growth of bones. These nutrients are not just important in your early life, but are also extremely crucial as you age. People with osteoporosis or arthritis can benefit greatly by increasing their calcium and Vitamin D intake.

Helps manage diabetes
Oregano is also known to help manage type-1 diabetes. The extract of oregano protects from development of hyperglycaemia by reducing pro-inflammatory macrophage response. Because of the large success of the oregano extract in preventing diabetes development, it could become a fixture in future diabetes treatments. Moreover, the fibre in oregano delays digestion, which ensures that the sugar is not metabolised quickly and cause a surge in blood sugar levels.

Boosts energy levels
As we now know that oregano helps in improving the functionality of the metabolism, the body remains rejuvenated and energised all the time. The increase in blood circulation, thanks to the presence of minerals like iron, helps to oxygenate the cells and muscles of our body, which boosts energy and gives us strength.

Natural painkiller
Other than the benefits mentioned above, oregano is a natural painkiller that can help you do away with various body pains. An analgesic, oregano can ease menstrual cramps and other abdominal pain. It is also a useful diuretic and appetite stimulant and helps clear mucus, so it can be helpful in cases of colds, flu, headaches and respiratory illness.”