- protein-free
- Very low in carbohydrates when strained and unsweetened
- A source of small amounts of plant-derived polyphenolic compounds
The exact nutritional content of an infusion varies considerably according to the number of leaves, steeping time, water temperature, and whether the leaves are consumed rather than simply infused. Research has found antioxidant compounds in bay-leaf infusions.
What about blood sugar and cholesterol?
You may see claims online that bay leaves lower blood sugar, triglycerides and cholesterol. There is some human research behind those claims, but it needs to be interpreted carefully.
