Fennel seed, nutritional composition, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-carcinogenic activity, antimicrobial activity, therapeutic advantages, ayurvedic and culinary uses
Description : Fennel seed is a nutrient dense aromatic seed derived from the herb, Foeniculum vulgare. It is
Article Details :
Fennel seed is a nutrient dense aromatic seed derived from the herb, Foeniculum vulgare. It is native to India as well as Mediterranean areas. It has been traditionally used for various medicinal and culinary purposes.
Nutritional profile
- It contains lesser amount of carbohydrate but significantly rich in fibre
- It also contains too some extent of proteins
- It contains negligible amount of fat
- It is considered as low glycemic and low calorie food as it is a poor source of carbohydrates as well as fats and does not provide enough calories on its oxidation
- It is packed with several micronutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, selenium and manganese
- Essential oil present in fennel seed contains several imperative volatile compounds like chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, apigenin and quercetin, which help to exert several nutraceutical activities
- It is also composed of various important plant compounds such as fenchone, limonene, methyl chavicol and anethole that are responsible for exhibiting antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities
Biological activity
Antioxidant activity
- Apigenin, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid and quercetin are four imperative components present in fennel seed that act as antioxidant and help to protect the body from the harmful effects of free radical induced oxidative damages
- Its consumption is extremely helpful for decreasing the risk of developing various diseases like cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, cancers and neurological disorders as it is directly linked with decreasing oxidative stress
Anti-inflammatory activity
- Quercetin component of fennel seed exerts anti-inflammatory activity, which helps to prevent inflammation by decreasing the concentration of inflammatory markers within body
- It also helps to prevent joint swelling thus its consumption is thought to be very effective for improving the symptoms of arthritis
- It helps to reduce pain as well
Antimicrobial activity
- Extract of fennel seed helps to inhibit the growth of diseases causing microbes within host as it exerts potent antimicrobial activity
- It has seen that it is very effective against some bacteria and yeast like Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans and protects the body from their harmful effects
Anti-carcinogenic activity
- It is loaded with various important plant compounds that exert anti-carcinogenic activity thus help to decrease the prevalence of carcinoma
- Anethole component of fennel seed is considered as one of the most important anti-carcinogenic substances of fennel seed that hinders the growth of malignant cells in body by promoting programmed cell death
- It is also associated with preventing metastasis
- Its consumption is enormously effective for lessening the prevalence of liver cancer and breast cancer
Health benefits
Role on digestive health
- Individual suffer from indigestion should include fennel seed in their diet as it contains various important biologically active substances that help to improve overall digestive health and it also promotes digestion by enhancing gastric acid secretion
- Its fibre content plays important role in preventing constipation as it helps to facilitate defecation by enhancing bowel movement and stool bulkiness
- Fenchone, estragole and anethole components of fennel seed exhibit potent anti-inflammatory activity and antispasmodic activity that help to protect the gastrointestinal tract from inflammation as well as from spasm thus plays vital role in preventing inflammatory bowel syndrome
- It helps to prevent bloating, flatulence, stomach cramp and diverticular disease as well
Role on weight management
- Consumption of fennel seed extract is considered as one of the most effective remedial actions for preventing obesity
- It is better to consume fennel seed extract at morning, especially in empty stomach for supporting weight reduction goal as it plays imperative role in improving metabolism, which ultimately facilitates weight reduction
- Its fibre content is recognized as another important component that helps in reducing body weight. Being a rich source of fibre its consumption is associated with exerting a feeling of satiety that subsequently decreases appetite hence reduces over eating
- Consuming fennel seed with a balance diet and proper workout helps an individual to reduce his or her body weight more rapidly
Role on blood purification
- It helps in blood purification hence promotes nutrient absorption
- It has seen that the fibre and essential oils found in fennel seed play important role in flushing out toxins from body thus helps to cleanse the Read more
