Fennel seeds, the most important health benefits. Fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare) are considered a spice to be used in the kitchen to enrich our dishes with flavor and as ingredients in the homemade preparation of bread, crackers and breadsticks. They are also great for garnishing pretzels. Their flavor is rather sweet and resembles that of anise. For curative purposes they are used above all for the preparation of herbal teas suitable for reducing swelling and stimulating diuresis. What are the health benefits of fennel seeds? Here are the main ones.
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I fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare) are considered a spice to be used in the kitchen to enrich our dishes with flavor and as ingredients in the homemade preparation of bread, crackers and breadsticks. They are also great for garnishing pretzels. Their taste is rather sweet and reminds of that ofanise. For curative purposes they are used above all for the preparation of herbal teas suitable for reducing swelling and stimulating diuresis. What are the health benefits some fennel seeds? Here are the main ones.
Index
Cancer prevention
- antioxidants found in fennel seeds can help reduce the risk of cancer associated with free radical damage to cells and DNA. They are also considered an ally for the prevention of colon cancer, as they contribute, together with vegetable fibers, to the removal of toxins from the intestine, preserving its health.
Anti-inflammatory properties
The antioxidants found in fennel seeds are not only useful in cancer prevention, but are believed to be healthy for the body due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Their use could be useful in treating ailments such as arthritis and Crohn's disease, two autoimmune diseases, although further scientific research is needed to confirm this.
Fiber content
Fennel seeds are high in fiber. Fiber is present only in plant foods and is absent in foods of animal origin. The most striking example of this is meat. Fibers are essential to facilitate the transit of the foods we eat along the intestine and to allow theelimination of toxins. Fiber, in general, is useful for improving digestion. 100 grams of fennel seeds contain 150% of the recommended daily allowance of fiber.
Cholesterol
The accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries and the increase in its production by the liver is one of the main causes of diseases such as stroke, heart attack and hypertension. Cholesterol can be kept in check thanks to adiet rich in plant foods and therefore of fibers. The fibers contained in fennel seeds reduce the possibility of cholesterol accumulation on the walls of the arteries and thus prevent cardio-circulatory diseases.
High pressure
There is a mineral salt that is fundamental in the regulation of blood pressure. This is the potassium, a substance found in many plant foods, including fennel seeds. Potassium helps to keep blood pressure stable and, consequently, to regulate the heartbeat. 100 grams of fennel seeds contain 1694 milligrams of potassium.
Read also: Potassium: the 10 best plant sources
Diuretic properties
Fennel seeds have diuretic and draining properties. For this reason they are used for the preparation of herbal teas that can promote diuresis, as well as reducing abdominal swelling. There tisane it is prepared in the form of an infusion, leaving it to rest in 200 milliliters of water boiling for 10 minutes 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds, then filter and drink without sweetening.
Antioxidant properties
Fennel seeds are rich in flavonoids. It is a group of antioxidants believed to be able to reduce the oxidative stress of the cardio-circulatory system and protect the body from neurological damage. Flavonoids also help prevent premature aging by counteracting free radicals.
Digestion
Fennel seeds help improve digestion. The digestive properties of these small seeds have been known for centuries and are exploited by popular medicines especially for the preparation of herbal teas and decoctions to drink to fine grass to make digestion less long and heavy. Fennel teas are usually considered suitable as a natural digestive remedy for children as well.
Source of calcium
Fennel seeds are a rich one source of calcium, to be taken into consideration even if small quantities are consumed. Calcium is present in numerous plant foods, including nuts, such as almonds, green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, and seeds, with particular reference to sesame. 100 grams of fennel seeds contain 120% of the recommended daily allowance of calcium, in fact they contain 1196 milligrams.
Also read: 10 plant-based sources of calcium
Red blood cells
The production of red blood cells by our body is favored by the foods we introduce through nutrition. Fennel seeds have a high content of copper, a mineral essential for the formation of blood cells, with particular reference to red blood cells. 100 grams of fennel seeds contain 1067 milligrams of copper.
Marta Albè
