Fenugreek for Blood Pressure
Your diet affects your risk for many chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure, or hypertension. Fenugreek seed is a spice that may benefit your blood pressure as part of a balanced overall diet, and a nutritionist can help you integrate it into your regular meal plan.
Your diet affects your risk for many chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure, or hypertension. Fenugreek seed is a spice that may benefit your blood pressure as part of a balanced overall diet, and a nutritionist can help you integrate it into your regular meal plan. If you have concerns about your blood pressure, talk to a doctor.
Sodium
A tablespoon of dried fenugreek seed has 7 milligrams of sodium, so it can be part of a low-sodium diet to maintain normal blood pressure readings. A high-sodium diet causes high blood pressure, and healthy adults should have no more than 2,300 milligrams per day, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It would be wise to choose fenugreek's 7 milligrams of sodium over 1/4 teaspoon of salt which contains 581 milligrams of sodium.
Dietary Fiber
Fenugreek has a high concentration of dietary fiber, with 2.7 grams of fiber in a 1-tablespoon, or 11.1 gram, serving. A high-fiber diet may help control your blood pressure, according to the Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center. Other potential benefits of fiber are lower cholesterol levels and better blood sugar regulation, and good sources include most fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and beans. This serving of fenugreek has only 36 calories, so it can be part of a diet to control your weight.
Other Benefits
It may help lower your blood pressure, but the most common uses of fenugreek include lowering cholesterol and controlling diabetes, according to Langone Medical Center. Some lactating women use fenugreek to boost milk production. Because fenugreek is high in dietary fiber, it may have a laxative effect and prevent or relieve constipation. A balanced diet for preventing hypertension is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and dairy products.
Putting It To Use
Fenugreek seeds can be eaten plain as a snack, tossed in soups, salads, pasta and rice dishes or made into a tea. To make fenugreek tea, put a tablespoon of seeds into a cup of hot water and let it steep for several minutes. Strain the seeds out, add a little flavoring such as honey or stevia and enjoy.