About Fenugreek
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a plant that is about 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 centimeters) tall. It has green leaves, small white flowers and pods with small golden brown seeds.
For thousands of years, fenugreek and other herbs have been used by the Chinese to treat skin diseases and many other ailments.
It is also a common household fragrance that is found in many products, such as soaps and detergents. Fenugreek seeds and powder are also used in many Indian dishes for their nutritional profile and mild, nutty flavor.
Cultivation and history
Cultivated all over the world, the fruits and vegetables are used, often in South and Central Asian cuisine. Also known as methi, you will often taste its syrup like the flavor of curry, dal, pickles, and spice mix. This herb is believed to be cultivated in the Near East, India and North Africa.
One thing is clear: people have been using it for a long time. The oldest fossil record of a citrus fruit found in Iraq is carbon dated 6000 days ago!
In ancient Egypt, fenugreek was used in cooking and medicine to reduce fever and as incense for religious ceremonies. It has been a part of Indian cuisine for 3,000 years. In ancient Greece, the Romans often used it as cattle feed, to treat various diseases, to dye wool purple, and as a flavoring agent for wine.
Nutritional Benefits of fenugreek
According to USDA FoodData Central, fenugreek contains many beneficial nutrients, including iron, magnesium, manganese, and copper, as well as vitamin B6, protein, and dietary fiber. It also contains antioxidants, powerful phytonutrients including choline, trigonellin, yamogenin, gitogenin, diosgenin, tigogenin and neotigogens. Most of the health benefits of fenugreek are due to the presence of saponins in the fiber.
Health benefits
There are many theories and traditions regarding the use of fenugreek plant. In ancient Chinese medicine, fenugreek has been used for centuries. Unfortunately, it is difficult to say if any of its benefits are reliable. There have not been enough good studies on this herb to make a definitive decision on its medicinal properties.
Although there is no strong scientific evidence that the medical use of fenugreek is legitimate, many cultures around the world use it as a natural medicine. Fenugreek is sometimes taken orally for people with diabetes to reduce blood sugar, menstrual pain in women, high cholesterol, and other health problems.
Low blood sugar levels
A few small clinical studies have shown that adding fenugreek powder to hot water or baking recipes may benefit people with diabetes. Doctors recorded several vital signs of study participants before and after they added fenugreek to their diet. One of those important signs is blood sugar levels. Participants showed a reduction in blood sugar after taking fenugreek powder. In a small study, people with diabetes reported lower blood sugar levels and improved insulin response when taking one gram of fenugreek per day.
Reduces cholesterol levels
Research published in the British Journal of Nutrition shows that eating fenugreek is effective in helping to lower cholesterol levels. It helps to reduce the level of LDL (bad) cholesterol significantly, which can prevent various conditions such as atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. By reducing the cholesterol content in the blood, you reduce the risk of blood clots forming.
Cancer can be prevented
Fenugreek has anti-carcinogenic properties, especially in the prevention of breast cancer and colon cancer. The steroid diosgenin found in the herb has been directly linked to the prevention of colon cancer. In addition, various non-starch polysaccharides such as saponins, hemicellulose, mucilage, tannin and pectin, reduce cholesterol levels and prevent the absorption of bile salts from the colon. This can bind to toxins and protect the mucous membrane of the colon, which can reduce colorectal cancer and other conditions that can affect the colon.
