23/06/2022
Is fenugreek good for you?
Uses
Nutrition
Benefits
Adverse effects, interactions, and overdoses
Takeaway
Fenugreek is an herb in the same family as soy. People use its fresh and dried seeds, leaves, twigs, and roots as a spice, flavoring agent, and supplement. While more research is necessary, some studies show that fenugreek may have varied health benefits.
Fenugreek may be able to help reduce the risk of:
cancer
diabetes
obesity
high cholesterol
high blood pressure
heart conditions
bacterial, fungal, and viral infections
inflammation
However, using or consuming compounds in fenugreek may cause uterine contractions during pregnancy and worsen hormone-sensitive types of cancer.
Fenugreek may also cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea and bloating.
Fenugreek uses
Fenugreek is present in soaps, cosmetics, teas, and garam masala.
Fenugreek is one of the oldest medicinally used plants, with roots in both traditional Indian and Chinese systems of medicine.
Fenugreek extracts are ingredients in many common products, including:
soaps
cosmetics
teas
garam masala, a spice blend
condiments
imitation maple syrup products
Nutrition of fenugreek
Fenugreek contains many essential nutrients, and these help make it a strong antioxidant.
Some of these nutrients include:
choline
inositol
biotin
vitamin A
B vitamins
vitamin D
soluble and insoluble fiber
iron
What are the benefits?
Consuming fenugreek may help with digestive problems, low testosterone, and arthritis.
Currently, there is not enough conclusive evidence to fully support the use of fenugreek for any medical purpose.
However, people have been using fenugreek in varying forms for hundreds or potentially thousands of years to treat a very wide range of conditions, such as:
digestive problems, including constipation, loss of appetite, and gastritis
breast milk production