Fennel: a natural ally for healthy digestion
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a medicinal plant renowned for its numerous benefits, particularly for digestion. Used since antiquity, fennel is rich in fibres, vitamins, and minerals, making it a valuable ally for digestive and overall health.
Benefits of fennel for digestion
Fennel facilitates digestion and helps combat digestive disorders, reducing discomfort and heaviness after meals. Its antispasmodic and carminative properties help reduce bloating, intestinal gas, and abdominal cramps. Additionally, fennel helps prevent water retention thanks to its diuretic effects. Anethole, an active compound in fennel, offers numerous benefits, particularly in reducing digestive issues.
Detailed benefits of fennel:
- Facilitates digestion: Helps break down food and improve bowel transit.
- Reduces bloating: Its carminative properties help expel intestinal gas.
- Relieves abdominal cramps: Antispasmodic effects reduce spasms of the smooth muscles of the stomach.
- Prevents water retention: Its diuretic properties help eliminate excess fluid in the body.
- Rich in fibre: Helps regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation.
- Provides vitamins and minerals: Contains vitamins C, K, provitamin A, B9, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron, essential for overall health.
- Anti-inflammatory properties: Helps reduce inflammation in the digestive system.
Studies and research on fennel
Scientific research has confirmed the benefits of fennel on digestion:
Study on the digestive effects of fennel
Objective of the study
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fennel on digestive disorders, particularly bloating and abdominal cramps.
Methodology
Participants (60 adults) consumed fennel infusions (10g per day) over a period of 8 weeks. Digestive parameters and levels of abdominal comfort were measured before and after the intervention.
Results
- Reduction in bloating: Participants showed a 30% reduction in bloating.
- Decrease in abdominal cramps: A 25% reduction in abdominal cramps was observed.
- Improvement in digestion: Participants reported a general improvement in digestion, with reduced feelings of discomfort and heaviness after meals.
Fennel in the FODMAP diet for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Fennel is considered a favourable food within the FODMAP diet, often recommended for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Thanks to its digestive and carminative properties, fennel helps reduce symptoms associated with IBS, such as bloating and intestinal gas. Incorporating fennel into a FODMAP diet can help manage digestive disorders and improve the quality of life for those with IBS.
Dosage of Mium Lab digestion gummies containing fennel
Our gummies Digestion with a pleasant apple-lychee flavour and containing fennel extract, offer a convenient and tasty way to benefit from the digestive and carminative properties of this plant. For optimal results, it is recommended to consume 2 gummies per day. These gummies contain a balanced concentration of fennel active ingredients, specially formulated to improve digestion and intestinal comfort!
Precautions and side effects of fennel
Fennel is a potential allergen, and its consumption should be avoided if you have a sensitivity to anethole (also present in anise and liquorice). At high concentrations, anethole can be toxic. Do not exceed 7g of fennel seeds per day. Specifically, fennel essential oil should be avoided by pregnant women.
History of fennel
Fennel, meaning "little hay" in Latin, was used in antiquity for its medicinal properties and was associated with clear vision. Dioscorides and Hippocrates prescribed it to those with poor eyesight. In the Middle Ages, it was used as an antidote for venom.
