This week it’s fennel health benefits from Kat’s Kitchen as they start to come into season in Spring.
Fennel is packed full of flavour and is used as a medicinal plant, a herb and a vegetable!
Fennel plants are green and white and have feather like leaves and yellow flowers. The main part of the plant is the bulb which is crunchy. Both the bulb and the seeds have a mild, slightly liqorice type of flavour. Often the seeds are felt to be more potent due to the essential oils they contain.
Fennel is used in many recipes and also offers a wide variety of health benefits – fennel seed tea is popular if you’re trying to control your weight. I add sliced fennel to salad and also as a base to pasta sauces. It’s also good with potatoes in a gratin!
Fennel is very nutritious and low in calories – here’s a few reasons to include fennel in your diet:
Fennel Health Benefits
- Full of antioxidants which lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity and type 2 diabetes
- Fennel seeds may suppress the appetite due to their soluble fibre which swells up with liquid which makes you feel fuller for longer
- Can help support the memory – studies have shown they may reduce ageing related memory defects
- Can help support some menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and sleep disturbances.
- Their high fibre content supports low cholesterol levels which reduces the risk of heart disease