Fennel seeds and health

10 Benefits of Fennel and Fennel Seeds, Based on Science

Foeniculum vulgare, commonly known as fennel, is a flavorful medicinal plant.

Fennel plants are green and white, with feathery leaves and yellow flowers.

Both the crunchy bulb and the seeds of the fennel plant have a mild, licorice-like flavor. Yet, the flavor of the seeds is more potent due to their powerful essential oils.

Aside from its many culinary uses, fennel and its seeds offer a wide array of health benefits and may provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects.

Fennel and fennel seeds provide important nutrients, such as vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and manganese.

All parts of the fennel plant are rich in powerful antioxidants like chlorogenic acid, limonene, and quercetin — all of which may benefit health.

Fennel seeds may be effective in reducing appetite, yet current study results are conflicting, and more research is needed.

Fennel and its seeds are packed with fiber, potassium, magnesium, and calcium — all of which are essential to heart health.

Test-tube and animal studies have shown that fennel may have anticancer properties. However, it’s uncertain whether the same effects would be seen in humans.

Some studies suggest that fennel may increase milk secretion and weight gain in breastfeeding infants, yet other studies have shown no benefit.

Fennel has antibacterial properties and may improve mental health, relieve menopausal symptoms, and reduce inflammation. Still, it’s unclear whether amounts commonly consumed of fennel or its seeds would offer the same effects.

Precautions

Although eating fennel and its seeds is likely safe, consuming higher doses in supplement form may react with certain medications and is unsafe for pregnant women.

Conclusion:

Both the flavorful, crunchy bulb and the aromatic seeds of the fennel plant are highly nutritious and may offer an abundance of impressive health benefits.

Adding them to your diet may improve heart health, reduce inflammation, suppress appetite, and even provide anticancer effects.

In order to reap the benefits of fennel and its seeds, try incorporating raw fennel bulb into your salads or using the seeds to flavor soups, broths, baked goods, and fish dishes.

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/fennel-and-fennel-seed-benefits?utm_source=Sailthru%20Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=authoritynutrition&utm_content=2019-02-27

https://www.smallfootprintfamily.com/fennel-seed-tincture-recipe