Unknown Fennel Seed Benefits: A part of the parsley family, fennel is an aromatic herb that is often used as a spice in a number of cuisines, especially Mediterranean and Indian. It has a sweet flavor that reminds you a little of anise. Owing to its nutritional content, fennel seeds are not only delicious but also extremely healthy. It offers a wide range of health benefits, aids in weight loss and also does wonders for skin and hair. If you do not know much about fennel seed benefits, it is definitely high time you found out!
Why Fennel Seeds are Amazing- Fennel Seed Benefits
Here is a look at some of the benefits of fennel seeds and why it is a must to start including it in your regular diet:
1. Rich in antioxidants
One of the main reasons why fennel seeds are healthy is the high content of antioxidants. As you know, antioxidants are essential to fight off the adverse effects of free radicals in the body. This substance is also what that fights off many diseases that can get more serious and potentially life-threatening at a later stage. Some of the antioxidants in fennel seeds are quercetin and Kaempferol, which are known to prevent degenerative conditions.
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2. Helps with digestion
Fennel is also known to be highly effective in relieving digestive issues such as bloating, heartburn, indigestion, constipation, flatulence, intestinal gas, colic and even irritable bowel. Apart from stimulating digestion, fennel seeds also have carminative effects that help in soothing the digestive tract and preventing gas formation. Another advantage is that fennel can rebuild the digestive system after chemotherapy or radiation treatments. All you have to do is chew a teaspoon of these magical seeds or drink a cup of fennel tea after meals to aid digestion and relieve bloating and stomach aches.
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3. Fights cancers
This is one of the unknown fennel seed benefits. Fennel seeds contain anethole, anti-inflammatory phytonutrients with anti-cancer effects. A University of Texas study in 2012 revealed that anethole can help in stopping the growth of breast cancer cells. The herb also contains other phytonutrients like limonene and quercetin also have anticarcinogenic effects.
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4. Reduces obesity and weight gain
Due to its ability to suppress appetite and make you feel full, fennel is also a superb natural remedy for obesity. The herb is diuretic, which means that it effectively helps in reducing water retention, a common cause of temporary weight gain. If you want a simple and natural way to facilitate weight loss, all you have to do is a dry roast, grind and sieve fennel seeds and drink a mixture of ½ teaspoon of the powder and warm water 2 times a day.
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5. Provides dietary fiber
Fennel seeds are a good source of dietary fiber, which is an essential nutrient for the body. Fiber plays a large role in your body, especially for the digestive system. Fennel aids in digestion by effectively facilitating the timely breaking down of food molecules. This, in turn, plays a crucial role in making energy reactions possible. Dietary fiber also helps ensure that waste is efficiently eliminated from the body.
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6. Absorbs cholesterol
Here is one more of the unknown fennel seed benefits-It eases absorption of cholesterol in the arteries when fiber binds to the bile salts in the body. The fiber content in this spice helps in preventing cholesterol from being reabsorbed. This, in turn, plays a large role in fighting any heart-related diseases. So, if you have high cholesterol levels, you should add more fennel seeds to your regular diet or make it a habit to chew ½ a teaspoon of the magical seeds after eating your meals.
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7. Boosts production of red blood cells
Copper plays a significant role in the production of red blood cells in the body. What many don’t know is that fennel seeds are a good source of this beneficial mineral. If your level of red blood cells is low, then you should consume fennel seeds. You can either chew a small amount of the seeds or prepare a drink of dried fennel powder and warm water to consume daily.
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8. Maintains blood pressure and heart rate
With the constant stress we face in our lives on a daily basis, one of the most important things to do is make sure that you maintain a balanced heart rate and blood pressure. Fennel seeds can be of immense help in this process. The seeds contain potassium that helps maintain your blood pressure, which in turn also maintains your heart rate.
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9. Delays signs of aging
This spice is rich in a number of vitamins that benefit your skin. These various nutrients help in delaying signs of aging, such as fine lines, dark spots, wrinkles, etc. If you want a natural way to get younger-looking skin, you should consider fennel seeds. Consume it as a tea and make sure that you include it as an ingredient in your daily diet. Regular consumption of fennel seeds will give you youthful, radiant skin in no time at all.
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10. Strengthens hair
Fennel seed benefits not just your skin and health, but your hair too. It is known to be an effective treatment for dandruff as well as bumps and itchiness on the scalp. If you want an effective natural treatment for your dandruff problem, fennel seeds may be the perfect solution. They also help in strengthening hair from the roots, thereby preventing hair breakage and hair fall. For dandruff-free, lustrous hair, you should give fennel seeds a try.
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Fennel seeds have a wealth of benefits, from preventing cancers and neurological diseases to reducing inflammation and preventing infections to improving vision by providing beautiful skin and hair. It looks like there is not much that this wonderful spice cannot do.
A Word of Caution: Regardless of how natural and safe something is, it is important to be cautious when you are consuming it or using it on your body – fennel seeds are no exception. Thought fennel seed benefits your body in many ways, bear in mind that you may be allergic to them, and you should find out if you are before consuming it. Also, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or suffer from hormone-sensitive conditions, you should consult your healthcare provider before consuming fennel seeds.
