This popular cooking garnish may offer surprising benefits for brain health

According to a 2024 Study in Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy, the rosemary sprig on your dinner plate does not just add flavor to your dish but also gives your brain a major boost. Fresh rosemary may help sharpen memory and support the glymphatic system that helps in the central nervous system to remove metabolic waste during sleep.

The study results showed that people exposed to rosemary essential oil aroma had higher levels of 1-8 cineole in their blood and had significant cognitive performance improvements on distinct tasks.

Scientists think 1,8 cineole may help act as a cognitive enhancer by supporting acetylcholine, a major neurotransmitter involved in memory, attention and cognitive control.

While allowing acetylcholine to remain active longer, the compound could enhance interaction between brain cells, though more research is required on how it affects cognitive performance in humans.

Anne Till, a registered dietician said: “While the biological mechanisms are plausible, claims that eating rosemary "actively shields" brain tissue, "clears brain waste overnight," or prevents dementia overstate the evidence.”

According to experts, carnosic acid is fat-soluble so rosemary infused in a healthy fat such as virgin olive oil helps draw it out. It primarily contains 1,8-cineole and rosmarinic acid, compounds linked to enzymatic modulation and oxidative stress mitigation.

Experts further noted that more research is required to achieve desired results. Furthermore, it may complement brain-healthy eating but cannot completely reverse cognitive decline or boost glymphatic clearance overnight.