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Bay leaves come in two principal varieties, namely Mediterranean bay leaves and Californian bay leaves. In addition to these two principal varieties, West Indian, Mexican, Indian, and Indonesian bay leaves are the other types available throughout the world which combine different levels of strong and mild flavours.
Popularly used in several curries, stews, sauces, and desserts, bay leaves add a mild aromatic flavour that can be compared to oregano and thyme, with some hints of cinnamon in a few varieties. While many consider bay leaves as tasteless, those who use it quite often can tell how these leaves enhance every other flavour in recipes and help other flavours shine through.
In addition to being a flavouring ingredient, bay leaves are loaded with immense nutritional properties that contribute to overall well-being. Know what these benefits are and how you can take advantage of it.
7 Health Benefits Of Consuming Bay Leaves
1) Heals Wounds
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Bay leaves promote wound healing by enhancing wound contraction, hydroxyproline content, and granulation tissue weight. A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Plants of South Asia by Elsevier in 2020 says that bay leaves exhibit higher inflammatory cell count and lower collagen levels. Their aqueous extract accelerates wound closure epithelialization, and boosts tensile strength, indicating their efficacy in wound repair.
2) Shows Powerful Antioxidant Activity
Bay leaves contain a concentrated amount of antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids, which are beneficial to the body in many ways. In the same study published in the Journal of Medicinal Plants of South Asia by Elsevier in 2020, bay leaves were shown to exhibit potent antioxidant properties due to phenolic compounds, demonstrated through various assays like free radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibition.
3) Supports Brain and Neural Function
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Bay leaves show prominent brain and neural function-boosting properties. The extracts of these leaves are shown to have anticonvulsant activity in mice, which is a drug activity that prevents seizures and convulsions by controlling abnormal electrical activity in the brain in a study published in the Journal of Phytomedicine in 2002. The antioxidants in Bay leaves along with components like linalool, aid in stress reduction and have natural calming properties, potentially reducing depression risk. Bay leaf extracts also exhibit anticholinergic activity, inhibiting acetylcholinesterase enzymes, which could benefit cognitive health.
4) Have Analgesic and Antiinflammatory Properties
Bay leaves possess anti-inflammatory properties due to compounds like sesquiterpene lactones, inhibiting inflammation and improving liver function. Additionally, their essential oils contain analgesic agents like eugenol and methyl eugenol, providing pain relief. These qualities make bay leaves valuable in traditional medicine for various ailments.
5) Antimutagenic Activity
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Mutagens like tobacco products, radioactive substances, x-rays, UV radiation, and several chemicals can lead to mutations in DNA, which can lead to several chronic diseases. Bay leaves may diminish the effects of mutagens on the body and contribute to overall health. As demonstrated in a 1998 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Bay leaves contain a compound called 3-kaempferol p-coumarate, which exhibits antimutagenic properties. It inhibits the activation of a dietary carcinogen called Trp-P-2, reducing its mutagenic effects. This compound, derived from bay leaves, demonstrates effectiveness similar to strong antimutagens in flavones and flavonols, highlighting its potential in cancer prevention.
6) Have Antimicrobial Properties
Bay leaves demonstrate potent antimicrobial properties. As concluded in a 2010 study published in the Journal of Environmental Biology, their essential oil, seed oil, and methanolic seed oil extract exhibit effectiveness against a wide range of bacteria, including Gram-positive strains like Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. These antimicrobial effects are attributed to various components, with phenolic compounds showing the strongest activity. Additionally, bay leaves display antifungal activity against pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea. The antimicrobial potency of bay leaves thus underscores their potential as a natural remedy for combating microbial infections.
7) Stimulate Immunity
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Bay leaves show potent immunity-boosting properties. A study published in the Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances in 2010 backs the Immunostimulant effects of bay leaves, as observed in a study on rainbow trout. After feeding bay leaves to rainbow trout for 21 days, they showed enhanced nonspecific immune parameters. In addition to this, their antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activity also contributes to enhanced immunity.
You’ve now learned how beneficial bay leaves can be to your health. These health benefits are undeniable reasons why you should start adding bay leaves to your daily diet.
