Health Benefits of Fenugreek (Methi)

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Fenugreek, also known as ‘methi’ is used for cooking, flavoring and is part of traditional healing processes due to its potential health benefits.

Fenugreek has green or yellow oblong leaves, small white flowers, and pods that contain thin, amber-colored seeds. These seeds are also known as ‘methi dana’ and are used both, in the fresh and dried forms. Methi is known to impart a sweet and strong aroma to the dishes.

The scientific name of fenugreek is Trigonella foenum-graecum.

Nutritional Facts

One teaspoon or 3.7 gm of fenugreek seeds contains 12 calories, 0.24 gm of fat, 0.85 gm of protein, 0.9 gm of fibre, 2.16 gm of carbohydrates, 28 mg of potassium, 7 mg of calcium, 11 mg of phosphorus, 1.24 mg of iron, 7 mg of magnesium, 2 mg of sodium, 0.09 mg of zinc, 0.1 mg of vitamin C, and 0.022 mg of vitamin B6.

Fenugreek also contains riboflavin, niacin, and thiamine. It does not contain cholesterol.

Potential Health Benefits of Fenugreek/Methi…

1/8. Enhances milk production in new mothers

1. Methi is used as a milk flow-enhancing agent in nursing mothers. It helps enhance the production of breastmilk.

2. Fenugreek seeds influence the levels of dopamine and hormones, which enhances breast milk supply.

2/8. Helps in reducing blood sugar levels

1. Certain compounds in fenugreek possess anti-diabetic properties thus, reducing intestinal glucose absorption, enhancing sensitivity and action, lowering lipid-binding protein concentrations, and delaying gastric emptying.

2. The amino acid content of fenugreek seeds promotes the secretion of insulin in the pancreas. Insulin decreases blood sugar levels.

3. It further improves glucose tolerance by decreasing the absorption of sugar by the body.

3/8. Aids in weight loss

1. Fenugreek seeds are a rich source of natural fibres, which swell and fill the stomach causing suppressing of appetite thus, helping in weight loss.

2. It is quite effective in boosting metabolism thus, helps in weight loss.

4/8. Promotes heart health

1. Fenugreek regulates blood pressure and cholesterol levels thus, lowering the risk of developing heart complaints and promotes heart health.

2. Galactomannan content of fenugreek seeds helps maintain heart health.

3. These seeds further contain high amounts of potassium which oppose the action of sodium and control heart rate and blood pressure.

5/8. Promotes digestion

1. Regular intake of fenugreek aids in the strengthening of the digestive system. The fibre and antioxidant content of fenugreek, aids in eliminating harmful toxins from the body and in promoting digestion.

2. The mucilage present in fenugreek seeds helps in relaxing the gastrointestinal inflammation, and in coating the stomach and intestinal lining thus, it acts as an excellent antacid. It decreases the intensity of heartburn.

3. It improves digestion and prevents stomach disorders.

6/8. Lowers cholesterol levels

Range of compounds such as tannin, polysaccharides hemicellulose, saponins, pectin, and mucilage present in fenugreek help in decreasing cholesterol levels. These compounds intercept the absorption of bile salts into the colon thus, promoting healthy cholesterol levels. It reduces total cholesterol and bad cholesterol.

7/8. Increases testosterone and sperm count

1. Fenugreek helps increase serum testosterone levels and sperm count. The steroidal saponins and furostanol glycosides present in fenugreek are responsible for increasing testosterone.

2. Fenugreek increases libido in both, men and women.

8/8. Other possible benefits…

Fenugreek produces several health benefits, apart from those mentioned above, it also produces few more namely, improves the function of the kidney, treats dandruff, reduces menstrual pain, fights colds and flu, soothes skin inflammation, treats fever and sore throat, induces and eases childbirth, offers radiant skin and prevents hair loss.

Fenugreek, also known as ‘methi’ is used for cooking, flavoring and is part of traditional healing processes due to its potential health benefits.

How to use Fenugreek?

Fenugreek is used either in the seeds or powder forms. They can be used in several different ways, some of them are as follows:

In salads,
As a capsule,
Brew it into a tea,
In liquid tincture form,
Add the powdered seeds to food,
Flavouring in imitation maple syrup,
As a part of curries and in other savoury dishes.

How to prepare Fenugreek water?

Take 1 tbsp of fenugreek seeds. Roast these seeds. Now allow them to cool.

Put these seeds into the blender and make a fine powder.

In a glass of warm water, add 1 tbsp of fenugreek powder and mix. The drink is ready.