A common practice in most Indian households is to have the few fennel seeds or saunf at end of every meal. As you might think this practice is just to freshen the breath, think again. A concentrated source of the minerals like calcium, potassium, manganese, copper, iron, selenium, zinc, and magnesium, the age-old Indian practice does the lot more than simply beat bad breath. Here are 9 health benefits of eating saunf or fennel seeds.
Table of Contents
Beats bad breath:
Fennel seeds or saunf is a great mouth freshener. The seeds contain several aromatic oils that help to reduce the bad odor from the mouth and helps in the increasing amount of saliva secreted in your mouth, and also washes away any food particles in your mouth and kick starts the digestion process. Apart from that the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of seeds help to reduce organisms that cause the bad breath and soothes infected gums.
Tip for use:
Chewing on the few fennel seeds after a meal helps to beat bad breath. If you have infected gums good way is to boil the few fennel seeds in water and use decoction to gargle. Doing this on the usual basis helps to beat bad breath at bay and keeps the mouth healthy.
Relieves menstrual pain:
Fennel seeds help to stimulate and regulate the flow of blood in the pelvic and uterine area. This property makes the seeds perfect to relieve the menstrual pain. According to the study published in the Journal of research in Ayurveda women who had fennel seed extracts during their periods found substantial relief from the menstrual pain.
Tip: Boil 1 tablespoon full of saunf or fennel seeds in some water. Allow it to boil till the water changes color and then strain out decoction. Have this warm for effective relief from the menstrual pain.
Helps to keep cancer at bay:
Saunf or Fennel seeds are the very rich source of manganese. This mineral is used by your body as the co-factor to produce the powerful antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase making fennel seeds perfect to beat the onset of cancer. Apart from that the seeds also have very powerful free radical searching properties and phytonutrients that help to beat oxidative stress and protect the body from carcinogenic effects of free radicals. Found to be especially good in keeping the cancers of the skin, stomach, and breasts at bay, fennel seeds have a very powerful chemomodulatory effect too.
Protects from anemia:
Fennel seeds or Saunf are packed with iron, copper, and histidine all 3 of which are required for the production and formation of red blood cells. The seeds, when eaten, help to increase the iron content in the body, helping in the production of hemoglobin. Known to be especially good for the pregnant woman and to keep them safe from ill effects of an anemia, saunf is eaten on the daily basis can be extremely beneficial.
Beats water retention:
Fennel seeds or saunf also have diuretic properties that make it excellent to get rid of water retention or edema. This property is also one of the ways fennel seeds or Saunf help in losing weight. Water retention can be due to the number of causes, so before you use this remedy detecting the cause is essential.
Can help you lose weight:
Since Fennel seeds or saunf has diuretic properties, helps to improve digestion and increases the rate of metabolism it is a great, natural way to lose weight. According to the study published in the Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome, having the combination of fennel seeds, aniseeds and black cumin helps in increasing insulin sensitivity and can help in weight loss. It also helped to lower cholesterol levels and helped to increase insulin sensitivity all of which help to beat metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
Tip for use: Dry roast some fennel seeds or saunf and grind them. Now take the spoon of this powder and mix it into the glass of warm water. Drink this decoction twice per day on an empty stomach for effective results.
Helps regulate your blood pressure:
fennel seeds or saunf were the rich sources of nitrite and nitrates, two compounds that help in angiogenesis i.e., production of new blood vessels from an existing blood vessel and vasorelaxation is nothing but dilating of blood vessels. It also showed that the chewing on fennel seeds or saunf are helped to increase the nitrate content in saliva making it a great natural way to keep a check on the blood pressure level. Apart from these properties fennel seeds or saunf also have a large amount of potassium and since potassium is an essential component of the cell and body fluids it helps to control the heart rate and the blood pressure.
Tip: Chew on few fennel seeds or saunf right after every meal. This will not only help to regulate the blood pressure but will help to speed along the digestive process and reduce the load on your heart.
Helps to prevent acne and keeps your skin healthy:
Packed with the antibacterial and antioxidant properties, fennel seeds or saunf is also great for your skin. Applying the solution made with this seed helps to keep acne at bay and its antioxidant properties help to get rid of the ill effects of the oxidative stress; keeping the skin toned, healthy and wrinkle-free. It is also known to beat the other signs of aging like dark spots and fine lines.
Tip: Boil few fennel seeds in water till water changes color. Now cool mixture and use it as the toner. what you have to do is apply it on the face, leave it for about 15 minutes and then rinse it off with room temperature water.