Tarragon Nutrition Benefits and Facts

Nutritional summary

Tarragon contains luteolin, a flavonoid (a type of plant pigment) that is being studied for its role in anti-inflammatory dietary patterns .
Fresh tarragon is a source of beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A) and other phytochemicals, though the total nutrient contribution is typically small due to the low quantities used in cooking .
Culinary use of tarragon is recommended as a way to add variety and flavor to meals without significantly increasing sodium, potassium, or phosphorus intake, which is particularly useful for individuals monitoring their mineral balance .
Early research using concentrated extracts of Russian tarragon suggests it may influence metabolic flexibility (the body's ability to switch between burning fats and carbohydrates) and muscle creatine retention, though these effects have not been established for standard culinary use .

Interesting fact

The name tarragon is derived from the French word 'esdragon', meaning 'little dragon', which stems from an ancient belief that the plant's coiled roots could cure venomous snake bites.

Standout nutrients

SUPER

SOURCE

Calcium

ELITE

SOURCE

Potassium

ACE

SOURCE

Magnesium

GREAT

SOURCE

beta-Carotene

kcal per 100g

Protein3.40g

Fat1.10g

Carbs6.30g

Seasonality

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeakIn seasonOther months

Diet

VeganVegetarianPescatarianGluten FreeDairy FreeKetoLow FodmapPaleo

Sustainability

Lighter footprint

Herbs have a very low carbon footprint due to high yield and minimal processing.

Confidencemedium

Storage

Refrigerate

3–5 days

Wrap in a damp paper towel and place in a perforated bag.

Freeze

3–6 months

Freeze in oil or water in ice cube trays to preserve flavor.

Flavour

Data & Sources

Harmonized from 2 validated sources

Phenol-Explorer

1 contributing source food

McCance & Widdowson

1 contributing source food

Claim citations

An Extract of Russian Tarragon Prevents Obesity-Related Ectopic Lipid Accumulation - PMC

[1]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A novel Nutrient Rich Food (NRFa11.3) score uses flavonoids and carotenoids to identify antioxidant-rich spices, herbs, vegetables, and fruit - PMC

[2]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sprouts and Microgreens—Novel Food Sources for Healthy Diets

[3]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of short-term ingestion of Russian Tarragon prior to creatine monohydrate supplementation on whole body and muscle creatine retention and anaerobic sprint capacity: a preliminary investigation - PMC

[4]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Overview of anti-inflammatory diets and their promising effects on non-communicable diseases - PMC

[8]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development of muffins as dialysis snacks for patients undergoing hemodialysis: results of chemical composition and sensory analysis - PMC

[11]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Coverage

Nutrients

FoodCompass

75.8

Version

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