The Health Benefits of Fenugreek Seeds: Uses and Contraindications

Fenugreek: what is useful and who should not

When buying fenugreek cheese, we usually don’t think about how healthy the seeds are, we just like the taste. However, they also have considerable benefits.

What is fenugreek? Fenugreek, also known as Shambhala, is a plant of the legume family, about 60 cm high. Fenugreek seeds have been used since ancient times in folk medicine to treat many diseases, including coughs and wound healing. In addition, they were added to meat, fish and dairy dishes, salads and baked goods.

Fenugreek is widespread in Armenia, Turkey, Iran, India and Argentina.

It is worth noting that the oldest mentions of this plant go back to Ancient Egypt. There, judging by the surviving papyri, fenugreek was used to treat burns, as well as for embalming bodies.

In ancient Greece, fenugreek was used to improve digestion, treat inflammation, wounds, and as a sedative.

Fenugreek came to Europe in the 17th century and was used as a tonic and restorative.

Fenugreek seeds taste spicy, sweetish and nutty, they go well with many dishes. What are the benefits of fenugreek?

Benefits of Fenugreek

Small, inconspicuous seeds contain a whole storehouse of vitamins and minerals. They contain vitamins B, A, E, C and PP, as well as magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron, phosphorus. Fenugreek is rich in essential oils.

Thanks to its rich composition, fenugreek seeds help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, normalize blood pressure and maintain healthy blood vessels. Potassium helps remove excess fluid from the body and lower blood pressure. In addition, fenugreek has a beneficial effect on the nervous system – for this we can thank magnesium and potassium.

Fenugreek has proven benefits for the immune system, as well as its powerful antiviral effect. During the cold season, you should definitely add the seeds of this plant to your food.

In addition, consuming fenugreek promotes tissue regeneration and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Fenugreek is especially useful for women – it normalizes the menstrual cycle, helps cope with unpleasant symptoms of PMS, and during lactation it promotes the production of breast milk.

There are also benefits for men’s health: regular consumption of fenugreek stimulates testosterone production and increases libido.

Fenugreek is also good for the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to increasing appetite and improving digestion (all spices can do this), fenugreek helps fight heartburn, relieves bloating and cramps.

Harm and contraindications

Fenugreek, like any other product, can cause individual intolerance. In addition, it, like any other spices, should not be used during exacerbation of gastrointestinal pathologies (ulcers, gastritis, pancreatitis).

Fenugreek will not harm a healthy person if consumed in moderation, but overeating fenugreek seeds can cause indigestion or diarrhea.

During pregnancy, it is better not to eat fenugreek – the risk of miscarriage or premature birth increases. But during breastfeeding, as already mentioned, fenugreek is useful, unless it causes individual intolerance in the baby.

Before consuming fenugreek, you should consult your doctor.

Read also:

Spicy food: what it’s good for and who it shouldn’t be.

2023-11-12 07:04:00

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