Fenugreek Seeds

Strongly aromatic and pungent flavored fenugreek seeds are popular spices widely employed for their culinary as well as for medicinal properties. Traditionally, fenugreeks have been in use to cure digestive problems andaimprove breast milk secretion in the nursing mothers. Botanically, fenugreek is a small annual leguminous herb belonging in the family of fabaceae, of the genus: trigonella. Some of the common names include greek-hay, mehti, bird's foot, greek-clover, etc.

Fenugreek is native to sub-himalayan plains of indian subcontinent, and today; it is widely grown all-over southern and mediterranean europe, middle-east asia and northern african regions. The plant grows up to about 1-2 feet in height with light green color tri-foliate leaves and white flowers. It bears long, slender, yellow-brown pods containing about 10-20 golden-yellow color seeds. Its seeds are small, hard, and resemble tiny, multi-faceted stone-pieces. Raw seeds have maple flavor and bitter taste; however, their taste becomes more acceptable once they were gently dry-roasted under light heat.

Fenugreek seeds are rich source of minerals, vitamins, and phytonutrients. 100 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 24.6 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-absorption 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 constipation 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 controls 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.atogether, these compounds 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 important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure by countering action on sodium. Iron is essential for red blood cell production and as a co-factor for cytochrome-oxidases enzymes.

It is also rich in many vital vitamins that are essential nutrients for optimum health, including thiamin, pyridoxine (vitamin b6), folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin a, and vitamin-c.

Its seeds have been used in many traditional medicines as a laxative, digestive, 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.