Fennel Seeds/ Saunf

 Fennel is an aromatic herb belonging to the parsley family. It is used as a spice and possesses a sweet taste that is similar to anise. It is an essential ingredient in the Mediterranean cuisine. Fennel seeds ("Saunf" in Hindi) come from both the fennel herb and the fennel vegetable bulb.

They have long been regarded as an aid to weight loss because they are said to reduce appetite when consumed as fennel tea. Chewing them is a remedy for bad breath. For women, fennel seeds are helpful when breastfeeding, as they contain compounds that mimic estrogen and therefore stimulate milk production. As an infusion, it can treat flatulence, colic in babies and stomach cramps. However, the seeds should be avoided in pregnancy as they may over-stimulate the uterus. Fennel seeds may also be good for relieving menopausal symptoms.

Fennel seeds can be beneficial for your skin and hair. They are inexpensive and readily available and loaded with minerals like iron, copper, selenium, potassium, magnesium, zinc and even vitamins like Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin E, fennel seeds are also known to be a rich store house of dietary fibres, active compounds and antioxidants.

Tips to include this in your diet:

• Have as an appetizer after food.
• Make a fennel tea by steeping a spoonful of seeds in boiling water for 5 minutes.
• Fennel flavours goes well with fish.
• Add crushed fennel seeds for that extra flavor in salads.

Major Nutrients per 100g Fennel Seeds
Energy	345 Kcal
Carbohydrates	52.29 g
Protein	15.80 g
Total Fat	14.87 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Dietary Fiber	39.8 g
Vitamins
Niacin	6.050 mg
Pyridoxine	0.470 mg
Riboflavin	0.353 mg
Thiamin	0.408 mg
Vitamin A	135 IU
Vitamin C	21 mg
Electrolytes
Sodium	88 mg
Potassium	1.7 g
Minerals
Calcium	1.2 g
Copper	1.067 mg
Iron	18.54 mg
Magnesium	385 mg
Manganese	6.533 mg
Phosphorus	487 mg
Zinc	3.70 mg

Post by Faiz Lahori