- What is fenugreek?
- How it helps you lose weight
- Methods of use
- Contraindications
Each country has its traditional dishes that guests must try. Egypt is famous for its yellow tea made from fenugreek seeds. Many tourists buy it as a souvenir. But not everyone knows that this plant also helps to lose weight. How does it work? We will tell you everything you need to know.
What is fenugreek?
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a type of bean, the seeds of which are bright yellow and have an unusual square or diamond shape, and have medicinal properties. They can be brewed as tea, added to dishes as a spice, or eaten raw.
Residents of Egypt and Morocco drink fenugreek tea every day. Its weight loss properties have been praised by famous Hollywood actresses (Melissa McCarthy, Nicole Kidman, Sheryl Crow) who use fenugreek seeds to stay slim.
How it helps you lose weight
This plant has many useful properties, which is why it is considered medicinal. The following properties are especially important for weight loss:
- Normalizes the digestive tract
Unabsorbed fiber passes through the intestines and removes all the toxins. A special slimy substance coats the walls of the stomach, protecting it from irritation by food.
- Improves the intestinal microflora
Prevents fermentation, activates intestinal motility, and helps break down proteins and carbohydrates. Regular bowel movements are key to losing weight, which depend on a healthy intestinal microflora.
- Diuretic effect
The removal of excess water gives a slight but immediate weight loss.
- Reduces appetite
At the same time, it increases the body’s tolerance to a new low-calorie diet.
- Combats stress
Normalizes the nervous system. This is important because overeating is often caused by the psychological need to “numb” your problems with something sweet and tasty.
- Normalizes the hormonal balance
Contains plant estrogens that affect metabolism. Their lack during menopause leads to weight gain in women of a certain age.
- Lowers cholesterol
50 grams of seeds per day can significantly reduce blood cholesterol levels.
- Beneficial for type 2 diabetes
This disease is often accompanied by weight gain, but not all weight loss products are suitable for diabetics. Fenugreek can be taken without fear of worsening the condition.
Regular consumption of fenugreek removes fat deposits from problem areas (buttocks, thighs, abdomen). It also gradually gets rid of cellulite, a common companion of obesity, if it is used to make compresses from this plant.
Methods of use
Fenugreek seeds are very easy to prepare, which is another plus for nutritionists and people who are overweight. You don’t have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. You can simply brew it like any other herbal tea or eat the seeds raw.
Traditional
Before making fenugreek tea, it is better to fry the seeds in a pan until they turn brown, and then grind them in a coffee grinder. Ready-made powder is less effective because it loses some of its properties during long-term storage.
- Method one
Dilute half a teaspoon of fenugreek in a glass of warm water and drink on an empty stomach. Do not brew or boil.
- Method two
Instead of powder, pour whole seeds with warm water, cover the container and leave overnight. During that time, they will swell. Eat a teaspoon one hour before each meal.
- Method three
First, sprout the seeds (this will only increase their beneficial properties). You can eat them (from a teaspoon to a dessert spoon before meals) or add them to salads.
- Method four
Add 2 teaspoons of fenugreek to a glass of water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain. Drink the tea warm. Choose the time and amount that is more convenient for you. The optimal amount is two glasses per day, one hour before meals.
Important! Fenugreek taken on an empty stomach has a laxative effect. It is good for people who suffer from constipation. If this effect is undesirable, you can drink the tea after meals.
Fenugreek with ginger
To diversify the taste of fenugreek tea, you can add various ingredients to it. The most useful addition is ginger. It contains up to 400 different biologically active substances, many of which have a beneficial effect on the body:
- essential amino acids (lysine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, methionine) normalize metabolism, including fat metabolism
- essential oil (zingiberene), which gives ginger its unique spicy flavor, speeds up metabolism and helps burn fat faster
- gingerol makes the root pungent and actively stimulates intestinal motility
- a large amount of starch, which breaks down slowly, provides a long-lasting feeling of fullness and reduces appetite
Recipe: grate the ginger root (100 g), add a tablespoon of fenugreek seeds, half a teaspoon of turmeric, a pinch of cumin, and lemon zest to taste. Brew the mixture with boiling water (500 ml) and leave in a warm place for 3-4 hours. Drink a glass twice a day.
Fenugreek with stevia
This honey herb is the best natural sugar substitute. Adding it to fenugreek tea has several advantages:
- improves taste, as it is 15 times sweeter than sucrose
- does not affect the calorie content
- does not stimulate the release of insulin, like glucose
- contains many vitamins (A, E, C, B vitamins) and minerals (copper, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, calcium, selenium, chromium, potassium)
Stevia is completely harmless, even with prolonged use. It allows those who do not tolerate pure fenugreek to drink yellow tea regularly.
Recipe: first, brew teas (fenugreek and stevia, one tablespoon each, pour 250 ml of boiling water over each and let it brew overnight). Strain and mix in a 3:1 ratio. Drink a glass of the mixture on an empty stomach. It is best to refrain from eating for three hours after drinking the tea.
Fenugreek with coffee
Coffee itself is used for weight loss due to its ability to speed up metabolism. And combining it with fenugreek will enhance the effect and delight the fans of this wonderful drink.
Recipe: make fenugreek powder, mix it with finely ground natural coffee (1 teaspoon each) and brew in the usual way, without sugar.
Contraindications
The active properties of this plant impose certain restrictions on its use:
- Pregnancy and lactation (due to the large amount of natural estrogens and prolactin), which can lead to premature birth.
- Conditions in which the level of female sex hormones is
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