Nutrition Experts
Question:
Do fresh herbs like basil and parsley have any nutritional value?
Answer:
Yes, herbs such as basil, parsley, oregano, mint and rosemary contain vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients (healthy plant compounds). This makes sense because herbs are plant foods, just like vegetables.
For example, basil is rich in vitamin K and also provides vitamin A and small amounts of magnesium, calcium, folate, potassium and iron. Parsley is also abundant in vitamin K, as well as vitamins A and C and folate.
Preliminary research suggests that the antioxidants and other phytonutrients in herbs may offer protection against diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes and heart disease, although more study is needed.
The potential health benefits of herbs look promising, but one drawback is that we typically add just small amounts to foods. Most studies use significantly larger amounts or, more commonly, extracts of the key compounds instead of the whole herb.
One thing's for sure, though: herbs (and spices, for that matter) add wonderful flavor to foods, and so can replace some of the salt in dishes, which helps trim the sodium in your diet.
Nutritionist Experts
Our Nutrition Experts are registered dietitians who hold master's degrees and are members of the American Dietetic Association and several specialty nutrition groups. They combine over 40 years experience in food and nutrition science, communications and counseling, the culinary arts and the development of nutrition education materials. They are quoted frequently in the national media and have written about nutrition for many major magazines, newspapers, and newsletters.
