At some point or the other, I’m sure we all have tasted these fenugreek seeds or fenugreek leaves, be it in a sprouted salad, in a leafy vegetable curry or even as a spice to add flavour to your food, as fenugreek seeds (also known as ‘methi’ seeds) are rich in vitamins and minerals. It is important to note that fenugreek seeds cannot be consumed in large quantities as they are heaty by nature.
Consumption of fenugreek water has been associated with a lot of benefits to both health and beauty; here are some of them –
1. Helpful in the regulation of blood sugar:
A lot of people suffer from diabetes (a condition where one’s blood sugar levels in the body rise higher than normal). Whenever a person eats food, the body breaks down this food into sugar and then sends it to the blood. Fenugreek seeds contain fibre and other chemicals which can help slower the digestion process in the body, increasing the amount of insulin released and can help in the absorption of carbohydrates and sugar in the body.
2. For weight loss:
The body metabolism is the process which converts our food intake into energy and there are three main types of body metabolisms (endomorph, ectomorph and mesomorph). The slower your body metabolism the harder it is to burn calories. Hence, consumption of fenugreek water early in the morning can help boost one’s body metabolism, as it generates heat in the body, in turn aiding weight loss.
3. Has digestive benefits:
Fenugreek water acts as an antacid and strengthens the digestive system. It can also help keep digestive issues like gastritis, acidity, bowel problems and bloating at bay. It helps the body to flush out the harmful toxins.
4. Keeping cholesterol levels under control:
As fenugreek seeds contain flavonoids (plant metabolites that provide an antioxidant effect), they can help lower the bad cholesterol of LDL (low-density lipoproteins) levels and reduce the risk of having high cholesterol levels in the body.
5. Helpful for menstrual/period cramps:
A lot of women suffer from menstrual/period cramps or pain or other such period related issues. Fenugreek water has anti-inflammatory properties and also contains alkaloids which act as pain relievers and reduce cramps and other period related problems.
6. Helps to increase libido:
Libido refers to the sexual desire of a person and there can be a decrease in libido due to various reasons including erectile dysfunction, impotency and loss of sexual desire. Fenugreek water can be helpful to both men and women suffering from this problem.
7. Helpful to lactating mothers:
A lot of lactating mothers have lesser production of milk due to many reasons. Fenugreek water could help increase the production of milk in lactating mothers and maintain the adequate supply of milk for a longer period of time.
8. Helps to get rid of acne from the skin:
A common problem to many, especially girls and boys during their teenage years, is acne, which can make your skin dull and less radiant. Fenugreek water can help destroy the free-radicals in the body responsible for wrinkled skin, dark spots and other infections with the help of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. READ MORE – How to use fenugreek to regrow thinning hair
For those of you who would like to add this herb infused fenugreek water to your diet, here’s how you can make it –
FENUGREEK WATER RECIPE
Ingredients:
- 1/2 tsp fenugreek/methi seeds
- 1 glass of water
Method 1: Add 1/2 tsp of fenugreek in a cup of water and let it soak overnight. Strain the seeds and drink this water in the morning.
Method 2 – In a vessel, heat the water and add the fenugreek seeds and let it simmer for a few minutes and soon you will see the fenugreek seeds rising to the top and the color of the water will have a yellowish shade, this is when you’ll know it is ready to consume. Turn of the flame, strain the seeds from the water and you can either drink it warm or at room temperature. READ MORE – Reason you should drink coconut water
Caution – Kindly Note that fenugreek seeds cannot be consumed in excess as it can have side effects on the body. These are general benefits and if it causes any irritation to you personally, it should be stopped immediately.