Carnosic acid (CA) is a bioactive phenolic diterperne compound found in sage and rosemary. The present study investigated the beneficial effects of CA (50 and 100 mg per kg bw) in diet-induced obese mice and the underlying mechanisms of action. After the intervention, the physiology, lipid metabolism, and tissue morphology, as well as the inflammation, gut microbiota, and metabolomics in the colon were measured. We found that CA improved the composition and metabolism of the gut microbiota in obese mice, with