Colonists brought the fennel plant to America thanks to its culinary and medicinal benefits. Fennel has both a vegetable and a seed component, and both support digestive health. The nutrients in the vegetable help facilitate waste elimination. The essential oil in the fennel seed provides active compounds that soothe the digestive system.
Fennel Seed Oil
Fennel seed oil contains an active compound called anethole that soothes digestion. The active compound has carminative action, which means it relieves gas, bloating and upset stomach. Drinking fennel tea or chewing fennel seeds after a spicy meal helps your stomach settle and improves digestion. Indian restaurants frequently offer fennel seeds to customers after they eat to help them digest strong, spicy foods.
Fiber
The fennel vegetable provides fiber, which aids digestion because it fills the stomach and intestines, stimulating movement through the digestive tract. Fiber absorbs waste in the intestines and regulates bowel movements. A 1 cup serving of fennel provides 2.7 g of fiber, which is approximately 10 percent of the 25 g the FDA recommends.
Potassium
The mineral potassium regulates the amount of fluid in the body. A potassium deficiency sometimes results in infrequent bowel movements, because fluid is necessary to maintain healthy waste consistency. Otherwise, waste can block the intestines, causing discomfort and constipation. Fruits and vegetables are the source of most dietary potassium. A 1 cup serving of fennel provides 360 mg of potassium, or 10 percent of the 3,500 mg the FDA requires each day.
Water
You must consume an ample amount of fluid to stay healthy. Food is a significant source of fluid in the diet. The vegetable fennel is made up of 90 percent water. This fluid content contributes to digestive consistency in the intestines that supports regular bowel movements.
References
- American Cancer Society: Potassium
- Drugs.com: Fennel
- USDA: Nutrient Data Laboratory: Fennel, Raw
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2010
