Rosemary extract and omega-3 in meat for inflammation markers
What it found
Eating meat enriched with rosemary extract and omega-3 fats lowered several inflammation and oxidation markers in people at risk of heart disease.
The comparison meat without these additions raised one inflammation marker instead.
What they found
Studies in people
Lowered inflammation markers
After 12 weeks on the enriched meat, levels of two blood proteins linked to inflammation went down. With the regular meat, one of those proteins went up instead.
Better oxidation balance
A marker of cell damage from oxidation fell after eating the enriched meat. A measure of the body's ability to handle oxidation improved at the same time. Regular meat made that protective measure drop.
Differences between meats
The changes seen with the enriched meat were clearly different from those seen with the regular meat for three specific markers.
Body measurements unchanged
Body size and shape measures stayed about the same after eating either type of meat. No unwanted side effects were reported.
What the authors conclude
- They conclude that eating meat enriched with omega-3 fats and rosemary extract improved inflammation and oxidation markers in people at risk of heart disease.
- They suggest that adding this kind of meat to a balanced diet could be a useful lifestyle choice.
How it was done
Omega-3 fats have been linked to lower inflammation related to heart disease. The authors wanted to see if adding omega-3s and rosemary extract to cooked meat could improve inflammation and oxidation markers in people at risk of heart problems.
They ran a trial where 43 volunteers with signs of heart disease risk ate either regular meat or meat enriched with omega-3 fats and rosemary extract. Each person ate their assigned meat for 12 weeks, took a 4-week break, then switched to the other type for another 12 weeks. Thirty-three people finished the study.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This trial tested meat containing both rosemary extract and omega-3 fats together. It cannot show what effect rosemary extract alone would have.
- The study lasted 12 weeks per meat type. It cannot show whether these changes last over many years or prevent actual heart attacks.
The paper
- Title
- Impact of cooked functional meat enriched with omega-3 fatty acids and rosemary extract on inflammatory and oxidative status; a randomised, double-blind, crossover study
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Bermejo LM, López-Plaza B, Weber TK, et al (2014). Impact of cooked functional meat enriched with omega-3 fatty acids and rosemary extract on inflammatory and oxidative status; a randomised, double-blind, crossover study. Nutricion hospitalaria. doi:10.3305/nh.2014.30.5.8048PubMed 25365012DOI
Summary written 1 Oct 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error