Parsley vs Oregano - Health impact and Nutrition Comparison

Summary

Oregano contains significantly more vitamins and minerals than parsley.

In recent years, parsley and oregano have been at the center of scientific attention. While parsley is more researched, both are excellent sources of antioxidants and vitamins in the daily diet.

Introduction

Herbs and spices are a perfect way to add a range of flavors to any dish. Both parsley and oregano are ideal herbs and spices.

Parsley belongs to the Umbelliferae family, also known as the carrot or celery family. On the other hand, oregano is botanically classified in the family of mints. Oregano owes its flavor to compounds such as thymol, carvacrol, ocimene, pinene, limonene, and caryophyllene.

In this article, we are going to compare parsley and oregano, focusing on their nutritional differences and health impacts.

Nutritional Content

Parsley is richer in vitamins C, K, and A. On the other hand, oregano contains higher amounts of vitamins E, B complex (B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6), and folate.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" chart below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food

Parsley

3

:

7

Oregano

Contains more Vitamin A +395.2%

Contains more Vitamin C +5682.6%

Contains more Vitamin K +163.8%

Contains more Vitamin E +2334.7%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +105.8%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +438.8%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +253.4%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +130.3%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +1060%

Contains more Folate +55.9%

Parsley

Oregano

Contains more Vitamin A +395.2%

Contains more Vitamin C +5682.6%

Contains more Vitamin K +163.8%

Contains more Vitamin E +2334.7%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +105.8%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +438.8%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +253.4%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +130.3%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +1060%

Contains more Folate +55.9%

When comparing their mineral profile, oregano is richer in phosphorus, iron, calcium, zinc, copper, magnesium, and potassium.

While both of these plants are low in sodium, oregano contains less.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" chart below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food

Parsley

0

:

8

Oregano

Contains more Calcium +1057.2%

Contains more Iron +493.5%

Contains more Magnesium +440%

Contains more Phosphorus +155.2%

Contains more Potassium +127.4%

Contains less Sodium -55.4%

Contains more Zinc +151.4%

Contains more Copper +324.8%

Parsley

Oregano

Contains more Calcium +1057.2%

Contains more Iron +493.5%

Contains more Magnesium +440%

Contains more Phosphorus +155.2%

Contains more Potassium +127.4%

Contains less Sodium -55.4%

Contains more Zinc +151.4%

Contains more Copper +324.8%

Health Impact

Myricetin, a flavonoid found in the parsley, helps prevent skin cancer (1).

Parsley can also decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (2).

One study has shown the antiviral potential of oregano against norovirus infections (3).

Generally, parsley and oregano have protective roles against the following:

• Cancer prevention (1, 4)
• Antibacterial properties (5, 6)
• Anti-inflammatory properties (7, 8)
• Bone health improvement

Parsley has antiosteoporotic effects on bone tissue (9).

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5629766/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16223573/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24779581/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6680447/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27525894/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6152729/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5322505/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5801825/
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4891838/