Health benefits of fenugreek seeds

Fenugreek seeds are rich source of minerals, vitamins, and phytonutrients. 1

00 g seeds provide 323 calories.
The seeds are a very good source of soluble dietary fiber. Soaking the seeds
in water makes their outer coat soft and mucilaginous. 100 g of seeds provide 2
4.6 g or over 65% of dietary fiber.
Non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) which constitute major fiber content in the
fenugreeks include saponins, hemicellulose, mucilage, tannin, and pectin. These
compounds help lower blood LDL-cholesterol levels by inhibiting bile salts re-a
bsorption in the colon. They also bind to toxins in the food and help to protect
the colon mucus membrane from cancers.
NSPs (non-starch polysaccharides) increase the bulk of the food and augment
bowel movements. Altogether, NSPs assist in smooth digestion and help relieve co
nstipation ailments.
It has been established that amino-acid 4-hydroxy isoleucine present in the
fenugreek seeds has facilitator action on insulin secretion. In addition, fiber
in the seeds helps lower rate of glucose absorption in the intestines thus contr
ols blood sugar levels. Fenugreek seeds are therefore one of the ingredient that
recommended in the diabetic diet.
The seeds contain many phytochemical compounds such as choline, trigonelline
diosgenin, yamogenin, gitogenin, tigogenin and neotigogens. Together, these com
pounds attribute for the medicinal properties of fenugreeks.
This prized spice is an excellent sources of minerals like copper, potassium
, calcium, iron, selenium, zinc, manganese, and magnesium. Potassium is an impor
tant component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood p
ressure by countering action on sodium. Iron is essential for red blood cell pro
duction and as a co-factor for cytochrome-oxidases enzymes.
It is also rich in many vital vitamins that are essential nutrients for opti
mum health, including thiamin, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), folic acid, riboflavin,
niacin, vitamin A, and vitamin-C.
Medicinal uses of fenugreek seed
Its seeds have been used in many traditional medicines as a laxative, digest
ive, and as a remedy for cough and bronchitis.
If used regularly, fenugreeks may help control cholesterol, triglyceride as
well as high blood sugar (glycemic) levels in diabetics.
Fenugreek seeds added to cereals and wheat flour (bread) or made into gruel,
given to the nursing mothers may increase breast milk production.