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Why You Should Add Fenugreek To Your Diet
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The word fenugreek may be something you have never heard of before, but you will be really surprised to know that it represents one of the oldest medicinal herbs in the world. The versatile plant goes back to the year 1500 BCE and was used in India, Greece, Arabia, and China.
While this herb was most used to help reduce the congestion in the lungs and the mucus that goes with it, why is it something you should add to your diet in this day and age? Here are some reasons that besides being used for several health issues, fenugreek is also recognized for its success with the female reproductive issues. It is an important herb that can also help with many of today’s conditions. Here are 14 conditions that fenugreek could help resolve in your life.
1. Menopause
A clinical trial studied women who took fenugreek to remedy the side effects they suffered from while going through menopause as opposed to those women who received a placebo instead. In every area, the group who was taking the fenugreek had better results than those taking the placebo. The areas where fenugreek showed better results were: hot flashes (32% of the women ended up with no hot flashes at all), night sweats (57.1% improvement with fenugreek), headaches (53.9% improvement with fenugreek), and insomnia (75% improvement with fenugreek).
2. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
In the study regarding women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), the group who took the fenugreek two times each day for 3 months showed a significant benefit in symptoms. By the time the trial was over, 71% of the women taking the fenugreek were returned to regular menstrual cycles. The amount and size of the cysts were both reduced, and the complete increase in symptoms with fenugreek reached 94%.
3. Parkinson’s Disease
A clinical trial occurred with 42 people who had Parkinson’s disease were either given a placebo, or 300 mg of seed extract from the fenugreek herb. While some of the results did not show as large of a difference as they expected, there were changes in the motor score, as well as the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale. At least 21.7% of those taking the fenugreek progressed 21.7% as opposed to 5.3% who took the placebo.
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4. Diabetes
One of the major discoveries in trials using fenugreek was that just being used two times a day lowered the blood sugar levels much more than those taking a placebo. The glucose tolerance level in those with type 1 diabetes also improved and the blood sugar levels in those with type 2 diabetes also improved. A study that observed 140 people who were prediabetic showed the group taking the fenugreek had only a 4.2 chance of getting the diabetes after a three year period.
5. Cholesterol Levels
After many studies, it was found that fenugreek seeds were able to eliminate triglycerides and cholesterol from being absorbed into the blood stream. This ultimately lowered the levels of the serum cholesterol as well as the total cholesterol levels.
6. Specific Cancers
Fenugreek has been found to have agents that are active in having properties that are able to treat cancer. A substance found in fenugreek called diosgenin had anti-cancer results on the following lines of cancer: pancreatic, breast cancer, colon, and prostate. Using fenugreek in another study proved there was a lower amount of growth in the tumors in some cancer cells by up to 40%.
7. Menstruation
Many women suffer from severe and painful pains from their menstrual period. Women who tried using fenugreek to treat their symptoms found much relief without any bad side effects from the herb. The level of pain was much lower and the group using fenugreek had less nausea, tiredness, headaches, and vomiting.
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8. Weight Loss
Fenugreek seeds have been shown to be effective in helping overweight people lose weight. When the seeds are soaked in water, they swell up and make the stomach feel full. With a full stomach, the overweight person is able to cut down on eating and has a lessened sense of appetite.
9. Breast Milk
Increasing the production of breast milk has long been one of the major areas where fenugreek has excelled. It is the compound found in fenugreek called diosgenin that is responsible for increasing the levels of breastmilk in pregnant women. This herb was able to increase the production within just two weeks.
10. Skin and Hair
Fenugreek seeds have a proven record of improving the condition of the hair and skin on those with problem areas. The seeds have been able to effectively turn around acne, blackheads, wrinkled skin, and blemishes. The antioxidant that is found in fenugreek is also able to keep the skin from becoming damaged because of sun exposure. As for improvement in the growth of hair, fenugreek seeds have a compound called lecithin as well as nicotinic acid that both help improve the growth of hair.
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11. Inflammation and Infection
When it comes to infections, fenugreek really does the trick. It has been found to stop the growth of major bacteria and fungus as well as E. coli. The major infection it stops in its tracks is Staphylococcus aureus which is the one that is responsible for staph infections. As far as inflammation is concerned it cuts it down by at least 62 percent.
12. Anemia
Anemia is a condition where the patient suffers from low iron levels. How does fenugreek help here? It increases the iron in those who are anemic and increases their energy levels as well.
13. Acid Reflux and Heartburn
Consuming fenugreek directly or sprinkling the seeds on your food will help to eliminate your heartburn. All it needs is to find its way onto the intestinal and stomach linings. If you choose to take it directly just add one teaspoon of the seeds to juice or water.
READ ALSO: Chia Seeds: 3 Easy Ways To Add Them To Your Diet Video
14. Respiratory Illnesses
Fenugreek is able to deal with coughs, colds, and bronchitis by reducing the membranes that are irritated and sore. The mucilage in fenugreek helps to lubricate the areas of the throat that are filled with mucus and eases the soreness.
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