Bay leaf
What the research shows
No concerns
none of the findings here link it to harm
An aromatic leaf used as a herb in cooking.
It gives a distinctive flavour and fragrance to soups, stews, meat, seafood and vegetable dishes.1
What research says
Studies in people
-
Benefit
Blood sugar after meals2
Cookies with bay leaf powder at 6% gave a lower blood sugar rise right after eating in healthy people.
The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least one finding in people. When most findings in people point one way, the page leans that way (“Mostly”), and every finding is still shown. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.
Products
The 6 most-scanned of 2,188 products on Open Food Facts that list bay leaf.
- Sardines huile d'olives et piment Parmentier · 135 g 0 additives
- Ratatouille Carrefour BIO · 630 g 0 additives
- Puy Lentils & French green lentils Merchant Gourmet · 250 g 0 additives
- Organic Beef Stock Cubes 8 Pack Kallø · 88 g 0 additives
- 3 Bean & Lentil Chilli Merchant Gourmet · 280 g 3 additives
- Aromat Knorr · 90 g 1 additive
References
- 1Bay leaf. Wikipedia. Accessed September 29, 2026. CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 2Khan I, Shah S, Ahmad J, Abdullah A, Johnson SK. Effect of Incorporating Bay Leaves in Cookies on Postprandial Glycemia, Appetite, Palatability, and Gastrointestinal Well-Being. J Am Coll Nutr. 2017;36(7):514-519. doi:10.1080/07315724.2017.1326324