What is Fennel?
Does fennel seeds help with weight loss? There are those that firmly believe that it does. The Florence fennel is the cultivated bulb which is used as a vegetable, the wild fennel does not produce a bulb ,the stalks are also used as a vegetable, however it is the seeds that are mostly used as medicine. The wild fennel has been appreciated for its medicinal value for thousands of years. The seeds were made into teas to aid digestion, used as an antispasmodic and would strengthen the eyesight. Every part of this plant can be utilized, the root, the stalk, the leaves and seeds.
Appetite Suppressant
The records state that fennel grew all over the Spanish countryside during the 10th century. It was not uncommon for the poor to chew fennel seeds to put off hunger. The Puritans from the 17th century encouraged the chewing of fennel seeds in church during long sermons to dull their hunger pangs. During the Lenten season, believers would chew the seeds to prevent hunger pains, and make their fast more bearable. Today, fennel tea is used by some to suppress appetite. Some users have reported weight loss without much diet changes.
Increases Metabolism
It is said that fennel seeds increase metabolic activity. It seems that one of its chemical compounds enables the pancreas and liver to work better in metabolizing fats and sugar. Fennel seeds can also act as a diuretic to help flush excess fluids from the body.
Energizing Tonic
In the early days fennel seeds were given to gladiators before going to battle. They believed it strengthened muscular tissue, thereby giving them great stamina and strength. Today, there are those who claim that they get the same effects from drinking a cup of fennel tea in the morning, as having a cup of coffee.
Decreases Appetite
Dr. Bharat Aggarwal in his book “Healing Spices” speaks about a study that was conducted at the University of Minnesota, Where they studied 18 obese people, dividing them into three groups: breakfast, one group took four grams of fenugreek fiber powder with orange juice, second group took eight grams, and the third didn’t take any. Between breakfast and lunch, the group taking eight grams of powder had a greater feeling of fullness, felt more satisfied, and felt less hungry. They ended up eating 10 percent fewer calories for lunch.
Other Weight loss Observations
1. Increases melatonin the sleep hormone. It seems that melatonin encourages a kind of fat in the body that helps with weight loss.
2. According to some studies. Fennel helps in digestion and metabolism which enhances better nutrient absorption.
3. In some cultures, it is customary to drink a cup of fennel tea before meals to help decrease appetite, the tea also acts as a mild diuretic to decrease fluid gain.
4. The researchers were quick to point out that fennels should not be seen as a weight loss tool. But could be seen as a worthwhile addition to a weight loss regimen. Even if weigh loss is not achieved you will get a health dose of kaempferol and quercetin two flavonoids which will help remove free radicals from the body.
Precautions
People on blood thinners should be careful. Fennel could make the blood too thin. Because, fennel seeds can act as the hormone estrogen. some people with hormone related cancers such as endometriosis must be careful.
